Family-Run
Scratch Bakery

Your only source for artisan bread in Southwest Michigan

The process of making artisan sourdough bread includes hours of mixing, stretching, folding, shaping, and fermenting before it’s baked. Bread of Life makes your bread just for you in very small, controlled batches and with a great deal of care. We use only the freshest wholesome ingredients and do not use any preservatives.

Fun fact: the starter for our sourdough bread originates from the Oregon Trail in 1847!

Our Breads

Meet the Livengood Family

Hello, we are Lee and Ruth Livengood. Both of us work full time, and we run our tiny bakery business out of our home in Southwest Michigan to raise money for our children's activities.

Thank you for supporting our labor of love, but also for supporting our kids! Bless you!

Facebook is currently our primary mode of communication with our customers. Please like and follow our Bread of Life Facebook page for weekly updates on ordering information, availability, and special events!

Bread of Life
Artisan Flavors

Your bread is weighed before baking, and although it all weighs approximately the same, it may come out shaped slightly differently from loaf to loaf and may not look exactly as pictured.

Please note that the flour that we use does include potassium bromate and enzyme. Potassium bromate is a maturing agent that improves dough elasticity bread texture and rise.

Two of our bread varieties, Pumpkin and Sunflower Pumpkin Seed, can only be ordered in even quantities (2, 4, 6, or 8 loaves).

Our bread is available sliced or unsliced.

Sourdough White

Rosemary Garlic

Italian Herbs & Cheese

Multigrain

Everything Bagel

Jalapeno Cheddar

Cranberry Walnut

Asiago Garlic

Honey Oat

Cinnamon Raisin

Maple Pecan

Pumpkin

Sunflower Pumpkin Seed

Health & Safety

Allergies & Gluten Sensitivity

Sourdough bread is not gluten free, but we know many people with IBS, gluten intolerance, or gluten sensitivity that can tolerate and enjoy sourdough bread. The fermentation process for sourdough breaks down some of the gluten in the flour so it is easier to digest. Think of sourdough as low-gluten rather than gluten-free.

We are not claiming that it is “safe” to eat our bread if you have gluten sensitivity or Celiac, but we have had feedback from a number of our customers that they are able to eat our fresh, homemade sourdough and nothing else.

Please note that our bread is not made in an allergen-free environment. If you have allergies, please contact us with any questions before ordering.

Ensuring Freshness

Our bread is made without preservatives and should be refrigerated or frozen after a few days to ensure freshness.

If you are picking up your bread from the bread cooler, try to pick up your order as soon as you are able. If it is in the cooler, we cannot ensure that condensation won't develop in the bag, or that the bread may not start to freeze, especially if it's picked up later in the day during the winter. We are specific when confirming with you in regards to the time we put it in the cooler to avoid this situation.

With our fresh bread, condensation can accumulate in the bread bags. If this happens, please open up the bag to air it out and help your bread stay fresh for a longer amount of time.

Once frozen, our bread goes beautifully from the freezer directly to the toaster, just like a frozen waffle!

Ordering & Pickup

Order Online

It will take two to three days to fill your order since we make dough only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Additionally, we currently do not fulfill individual orders on Fridays due to a large reccuring order.

Please keep in mind that we both work full time and so we are not typical reachable during the work day. All things bread come second to our occupational and family needs.

Thanks for your patience!

Order Form

Recurring Orders

You can now sign up for a regular weekly order. This is a great option if you are using our bread consistently and you don’t want to don’t run out and or have to remember to make an order each week. Several of our customers enjoy getting their bread weekly on a certain day. You can always let us know if you would like to skip a week or switch up your orders. Reach out to us for details.

Processing & Payment

Your order will be confirmed before it's processed. If you haven't heard from us, we haven't received your order yet.

Once your order is submitted, it is expected that we receive payment for the order even if you change your mind later. We understand unexpected circumstances may come up from time to time, but hours go into making every loaf and we frequently have to turn down orders because we have already accepted our limit of orders for a certain day. We cannot always resell a loaf, especially if it's day-old bread made without any preservatives.

We take cash or check. Checks should be made out to "Ruth Livengood." If you would like to inquire about payment using Venmo or Paypal, please contact us to explore this possibility.

Pick-Up & Delivery Options

Bread is for pick-up, meet-up, or delivery. Individual orders are fulfilled on Mondays and Wednesdays. We currently do not fulfill individual orders on Fridays due to a large reccuring order.

Delivery is possible depending on the day but we ask for a TWO BREAD MINIMUM. We deliver to the Brandywine area of Niles, and delivery possible in other areas of the county depending on what day of the week we're there, if we're there. You are always able to pick it up from our residence in Niles, no-matter where you live.

Customer Reviews

"You can tell that Bread of Life bakes their bread with love! We have tried the Rosemary Garlic and the Italian Herb. Both are so good!"

Kalynn Schoenyard

Southwest Michigan

“Bread of Life makes such delicious bread! We've had the White Sourdough, the Italian Herb & Cheese, and the Cranberry Walnut. It's all so good, it's hard to pick a favorite. But no matter what flavor, we love that the bread freezes well and comes out of the toaster tasting just as amazing as if it was freshly made. We can stock up whenever we get the chance (since we are from the other side of the state) and make our loaves last for months.”

Jim & Gail Mitchell

Detroit, Michigan

“No matter what the flavor, the ‘chew’ of Bread of Life bread makes whatever you’re making next level.”

Denise L.

Southwest Michigan

"I ordered a Honey Oat and Rosemary Garlic - both were absolutely delicious! Ordering was very simple and pickup was easy. I will definitely order again!"

Kara Edge

Southwest Michigan

“I haven’t been able to eat bread in years because of gluten sensitivity. For some reason though, I can tolerate Bread of Life sourdough bread. Not only can I tolerate it, buts it’s the best bread I’ve ever had, sourdough or otherwise! THANK YOU!”

Satisfied Customer

Southwest Michigan

“Bread of Life is the best bread around in Southwest Michigan. Every loaf is delicious and the excellent quality and value cannot be beat!”

Jill U.

Union Pier, Michigan

"Bread of Life is some of the best bread I've ever had. The flavor and texture are both amazing. We've had several of the flavors and they're all delicious!"

Jeremy & Lauren Schultz

Saint Joseph, Michigan

"I ordered the Herb & Cheese and regular White Sourdough first, and they were fantastic! I cannot wait to try the others! The flavor, texture, and consistency were all on point. You won’t be disappointed!"

LaTonya Burrows Hull

Southwest Michigan

Ideas from Our Customers

Charcuterie Boards

Party trays for any occasion

Homemade Pizza

"So many Bread of Life flavors are perfect for homemade pizza! Top with shredded cheese, pepperoni, chopped bell peppers, pieces of pineapple, whatever you want. Finish with some spices. So delicious!"

Avocado Toast

"I toast Bread of Life Asiago bread, then add Herb & Garlic Butter, avocado slices, cottage cheese, tomato slices, shredded mozzarella or provolone, lime juice, and salt. Then I put it in the toaster oven."

Breakfast

For some customers, it's Cinnamon Raisin or Honey Oat French Toast. For others, it's Rosemary Garlic Toast with scrambled eggs.

Cheese Toast

Melt cheese on your Bread of Life toast and dip into a hearty cup of soup. Customers recommend chili or tomato soup, but our different flavors go with all kinds of soups and stews.

Appetizers

For example, our Jalapeño Chedder bread, toasted and topped with Salmon Mousse.

Sandwiches of All Kinds

From Egg Salad and BLTs to Steak & Cheese and more! “Bread of Life makes the best grilled cheese ever. I use the rosemary garlic with aged cheddar, grilled red onion and basil.”

Paninis

“My husband made the most delicious ham panini with leftover Easter ham on your Jalapeño Chedder bread!”

Family-Run
Scratch Bakery

Your only source for artisan bread in Southwest Michigan

Meet the Livengood Family