From Bucket to Oven

Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, a unique venture is stirring up a leavening attitude towards baking and social good. Bucket of Bread, founded by Army veteran Chris Wysong, seeks to make a growing positive impact on food insecurity, nutrition, and the wide variety of dietary needs in this country with his clean ingredient meal prep baking kits. 

Chris, founder and CEO of Bucket of Bread, has been baking from his childhood days in Iowa and between army tours around the world. His experiences abroad, particularly his fondness for German bakeries, played a significant role in shaping his vision for Bucket of Bread.

“I grew up near Des Moines, Iowa, on a gravel road between Hartford and Carlisle in the 70s and 80s.” He started baking there, still able to feel the dough in his fingers from baking with his mom. He enlisted in the army right out of high school, and after a tour in Iraq, he went to Germany. “I explored, worked, and forced myself to learn the language. I also discovered a love for German bakeries,” Chris remarks.

Chris’s military background, combined with his business acumen, helped him create a structured yet flexible business plan for Bucket of Bread. His passion for baking and desire to give back to the community led him to develop organic, vegan-friendly baking kits that are not only delicious but also support charitable causes and food pantries. 

With extensive travel, Chris also demonstrates his multifaceted baking skillset. While serving in Iraq, he baked traditional khubz bread in a mud oven with locals. “I was able to learn firsthand from these skilled artisans as we crafted delicious flatbreads for the Iraqi Army. The flatbread is pressed onto the inner walls of the oven and then removed with a long wooden fork,” Reminiscing, Chris calls the moment, “One of my favorite culinary adventures.”

Bucket of Bread offers a range of baking kits designed to cater to various tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you’re looking for an easy homemade garlic knots kit, a homemade pizza dough kit, or a cinnamon buns baking kit, Bucket of Bread will give rise to the recipe you’re looking for.

One of the standout features of Bucket of Bread Baking Kits is the use of certified organic and vegan-friendly ingredients. These kits are made with clean ingredients, free from preservatives, GMOs, fats, oils, dairy, eggs, colors, dyes, or added sugars. They offer a healthier alternative to conventional baking kits, making them perfect for health-conscious consumers. Committed to sustainability, the kits come in fully recyclable, environmentally friendly packaging. Additionally, by sealing yeast and flour-based mixes in food-grade bags, Chris was able to extend the shelf life of the kits reaching up to a year, making them a convenient option for any pantry.

As a 100% veteran-owned business, Bucket of Bread carries a sense of pride and authenticity. Chris Wysong is nothing without his disciplined connection to providing better and better products and his regular donations to charitable organizations fighting hunger in America. In July 2021, just two months after launching, Bucket of Bread partnered with Thrivent Financial representatives in La Crosse to hold a mobile food drive. Together, they collected food donations and raised $9,000 for local pantries in one afternoon. 

Additional accolades include representation on Comcast NBC’s Philadelphia coverage of “Veterans Shark Tank”, top prize in show “Project Pitch it”, and “The Blox,” a reality show touted as the largest competition TV show for startups, anticipated for release sometime in 2025, among many more.

The donation potential of this business is reason enough to propel Chris to have big dreams about the future, and he also demonstrates titanic amounts of charisma and dedication when it comes to his company. 

The future of the brand is to evolve into one of America’s beloved baking kit companies, recognized for its commitment to quality and community impact. Plans for expansion include introducing new baking kits like Doppio Zero Pizza Dough Kits, Ancient Grains Baking Kits, and gluten-free options, all under the name, “Bucket of Bread World HQs”. By establishing a separate production facility and partnering with major retailers, Chris aims to bring Bucket of Bread to a wider audience and continue supporting charitable causes.

Bucket of Bread invites everyone to join their business journey. You can support this mission by buying a Bucket of Bread, donating a bucket to a partnered food pantry, following their social media, signing up for the newsletter, and—definitely—leaving Chris a review. 

Discover the joy of baking and join the mission to combat hunger with Bucket of Bread Baking Kits—the best source for organic, vegan-friendly, and socially responsible baking solutions.