Product: Dave’s Killer Bread: Thin-Sliced, 21 Whole Grains and Seeds
Specs and background: A one-pound loaf of all-organic, thinly sliced bread made with a hearty lineup of whole wheat and buckwheat flours, plus yellow cornmeal, spelt, and quinoa. The loaves are lightly encrusted with oats, rolled barley, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds and more.
The product comes from an Oregon baking company co-founded by Dave Dahl, who served 15 years in prison for armed robbery, assault and selling drugs. After his release in 2004, he worked at his family’s bakery business. Then with his brother, he developed cornmeal-crusted loaves, which they sold at farmers markets.
Soon after, the siblings started Dave’s Killer Bread and they picked up accounts by major retailers while creating a 300-member workforce, a third of which included ex-convicts. In 2015, they sold the company to Flower Foods.
Preparation summary: Ready to eat
High points: The bread has the pillow-softness of junky white bread, but with a much healthier edge. Grains and seeds used in its making lend an earthy, toasted flavor that pairs well to everything. And in the absence of chemical preservatives, the slices remain satisfactorily fresh for up to six days in their bag.
Low points: It’s a tad pricier compared to most commercial breads (but worth your hard-earned dough).
Average retail price: $4.99 to $5.49 per loaf
Availability: Most major grocery stores, Target, Costco, and Amazon.com