From Soldier to ‘Bread Guy’: The Bucket of Bread Story
About the Business
Bucket of Bread is a veteran-owned baking kit company based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The company crafts small-batch kits using clean, wholesome ingredients, allowing home bakers to create a wide variety of baked goods without complicated steps or kneading. Just add water and imagination!
From crusty loaves to soft cinnamon buns, chewy pretzels, fluffy naan, and more, the kits come in recyclable buckets or compact boxes for easy storage and zero waste.
Every purchase also helps fight hunger by supporting food banks and charitable initiatives across the U.S. As founder Chris Wysong puts it:
“Food should fill stomachs and hearts.”
👉 Explore their full selection of baking kits at BucketofBread.com
📑 Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The People Behind Bucket of Bread
Chris Wysong, an Army veteran turned baker, is the heart behind Bucket of Bread. He served a full military career with assignments in Germany, Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Panama, and Iraq.
It was during those travels that his passion for bread took root. While stationed in Germany, he fell in love with bakery-style bread. During his deployment in Iraq, he had one of the most memorable culinary experiences of his life: baking flatbread alongside Iraqi Army cooks.
“We didn’t share a language, but we shared a purpose: feeding others. That experience reinforced how food connects people, even in the most unexpected ways.”
Chris is supported by a network of community partners, collaborators, and supporters who help bring Bucket of Bread’s mission to life.
The Journey
Chris’s love of baking began in his childhood kitchen, where his mom taught him how to cook and bake, making sure he knew how to fend for himself. Over the years, he experimented and baked for fundraisers and community events, eventually earning the nickname “the Bread Guy.”
Then in August 2020, he had a dream — literally.
“What if I could put my dough recipe in a bucket?”
That spark became the foundation of Bucket of Bread. With guidance from local small business resources, Chris renovated a facility, passed inspections, secured insurance, and launched a fully licensed business.
Since then, Bucket of Bread has grown through both local and national exposure, including:
- Teaching classes with Chef Angie Ragan (semi-finalist on Next Level Chef)
- Appearing on live talk shows and winning top honors on Wisconsin’s Project Pitch It
- Attending Verizon’s Small Business Training Camp in San Francisco, working with leaders like Drew Brees and Kristin Juszczyk
- Speaking at universities and veteran-focused organizations
- Sharing his mission through podcasts and media interviews
Day-to-Day and Highlights
Running Bucket of Bread means wearing many hats: producing kits, managing orders, creating recipes, and engaging with customers.
The busy seasons mean nonstop thinking about baking, creating recipes to share on the website, shipping, and collaborating.
The most rewarding moments, Chris says, are seeing how families and communities use the kits to bring people together.
“Helping families, friends, and communities connect over baking is what makes all the effort worthwhile.”
Challenges and Growth
Like many small businesses, scaling has presented challenges. Moving from local markets to e-commerce required a lot of persistence and strategy. Now, one of the company’s top goals is to expand into retail and grocery channels.
What makes Bucket of Bread unique?
- Clean, wholesome ingredients (no preservatives, artificial colors, or fillers)
- Easy, no-knead baking
- Recyclable packaging and zero waste
- A mission that directly supports hunger relief
Looking ahead, Chris hopes to expand awareness, grow the baking community, and scale production. He welcomes mentorship, partnerships, and collaborations with retail and grocery experts to help make Bucket of Bread a household name.
Advice and Fun Facts
Chris’s advice to new entrepreneurs is simple:
“Start, keep moving, and don’t wait for the perfect moment. Consistency, experimentation, and learning from each step will build confidence and momentum.”
One surprising fact? Despite running a baking kit company, Chris isn’t a classically trained chef. Everything he’s built comes from curiosity, experimentation, and a love of sharing food.
Join the Community
Bucket of Bread is more than just baking kits—it’s about connecting, giving back, and creating meaningful experiences.
- Explore kits and recipes at BucketofBread.com
- Reach the team directly at 1-844-627-3237
- Join a community where every kit counts, every action matters, and every loaf brings people together.
Together, we rise, one loaf at a time.
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