more love from up North

Let's face it: the life I have chosen--that of making (if I do say it myself) incredibly good bread--takes a lot out of me. I am the luckiest man on the planet to have been where I have been and to end up here. Only real problem is balance. I haven't found it and I don't think I will any time soon. Writing this blog tonight is a step in that direction, however. And it's really more about copying and pasting the writings of killer bread fans up in Washington who have begun to discover what Oregonians have known for 2 1/2 years already: this is some killer s##t!!

Dave,
I just bought your bread for the first time today...actually its the first time I have ever seen your bread. I bought it at the Sno-Isle Natural Foods in Everett, WA. I must tell you, I think its the best bread I have ever, ever, ever had....its KILLER!!!! I bought the 'Peace Bomb' bread and I have almost ate the whole thing already!!!! I love the packaging and the names of the breads are creative and fun.
Reading the back of the bread made me want to learn more about the company so I went to the website to learn more.
I too was a Meth user and used to live in Portland (all over!). Reading your story is almost a mirror to mine except not so much pepper spray. I guess that is just how it is in that lifestyle. I worked at Tired Feat tavern on 82nd and at Wet Willey's on Foster, the biker bar that is no longer there. I moved back to my hometown in Bothell WA to get my life back together and to discover my REAL self, and in May 2008 will be Ten years staying clean from meth! I have turned my life around completely. Hooray!
I turned to natural foods and natural healing to get myself clean and ended up by working at a natural foods store for almost 7 years. I have an eye for new and different things and I love it when I find something so great.
So that is how I discovered your Killer Bread!
Thank you for sharing your story and making your bread. Love it.

Terra

I am very grateful to you for the obvious passion and concern you put into your bread. I tried it for the first time on Monday and will never buy anything else,,,EVER,,,I find great satisfaction in eating this. I love your honesty and integrity that your stories show,,,Those qualities are reflected in your life's chosen work,,,You have my respect as a person that cares about others and what they put into their bodies,,,I am very health conscious as my profession is Licensed Massage Therapy and have dedicated my life's work to helping others as well,,,maybe someday our paths will cross,,,I've told everyone in my yoga class and we will keep telling others about your wonderful bread,,,Love and Light,,,Teri

Dear Dave,

I just had to write regarding your bread! I've just received my second shipment (6 loaves) from my sister, Erin, who lives in Vancouver, WA. I live in a little town in Central Illinois called Washington. I'm originally from Chicago, but had to relocate this past summer due to the death of my childrens father. I'm now much closer to my older daughter who moved here 2 years ago to join the Illinois Air National Guard. His death left us no choice but to sell my home and move into a rental home until I can get on my feet. Back to your bread. You must be some sort of genius or something! I have never tasted anything so wonderful-nothing comes close to comparison. My favorite is the Good Seed. My kids even ask me "what bread are you using for our sandwiches?". THATS amazing in itself.
I received a gift box of different items from my sister for Christmas (all things she loves and all made in the Oregon area) which included 2 loaves of your bread. Good Seed and Power Seed. My kids and I have been addicted ever since. Unfortunately it's not something thats available in my area and to order online is just simply not in my budget. I've cut back in other areas to be able to send my sister money to send me more bread. You should be very proud of yourself.
I'm hoping that someday you're able to distribute nationwide. I'm guessing you're hoping for the same thing.
Anyway, I just had to tell you my story. We absolutely love it! Thank you.

Sincerely,
Kerry


Dave (And all wonderful hands that help), Hubby and I are trying to lose weight, and were highly discouraged with the drywall flavored whole grain breads on the market (needed to replace the high-fat, white pulpy stuff we were eating).. we found you at the Vancouver Market, smelled the fine aroma from down the street, and were sold. WE ONLY eat your breads now, and are totally fond of your 21grain. Dunno if it'll help us lose weight - DO know we're doing ourselves better for it and loving every bite!! THANK YOU...C & J

Hello Dave-I just wanted to write and thank you for sharing your story. It is making a big difference for me right now, as my son is in the midst of legal proceedings as a result of drug addiction. He received a temporary release from jail to go to 60-day treatment, before returning to have final charges determined along with jail/prison time. A good friend stopped over with a loaf of your bread recently. Eating it and reading about your journey (crying and cheering along the way) has been helpful for me, my son, and his many supporters. He is hopeful about creating a new life and appreciated reading your story, but at this point faces several years (up to 10) in prison - your sharing gives us the sense that he can (and has to) begin creating that life now and while in prison. I know that ultimately that journey is his, but he has many supporters - any thoughts about what kind of support is helpful? We write regularly and visit whenever possible. As his mom, who knows without a doubt that he is a good person, who has done some bad things - your story is good evidence that life can go on in ways that bring wholeness and benefit many. I know that the best thing I can do is stay healthy, (emotionally, spiritually and physically) and live a good life. Your story's even inspired me to get back to my own bread baking, and I baked the best batch of home-made bread ever! (I looked at your ingredient list for inspiration!) Anyway, I know your journey is also very personal, and I thank you again for sharing, and appreciate your striving for a whole and humble life. I hope to come visit your bakery some vacation when I travel through Oregon.

Thank you again,
Julie--Bellingham, WA

your killer bread.
we were standing in the grocery store on whidbey island.
"killer bread" i read. and laughed out loud to my sister.
i said, "this's weird. seems odd to buy bread marked "killer"
when i teach so many of them in prison."
yeh. well, wait until you read his story.
so i did.
hurrah. applause. man. what a model.
i've been teaching at OSCI for four years. journal writing.
i'm taking the bread bag to show those transition inmates what i mean when
i say IT IS POSSIBLE to succeed using your natural skill set in a lawful way.
i never ask them to change who they are...i ask them to consider walking who
they are in a different way.
if you have anything you'd like me to pass along to groups of guys just finishing
up short to long stints and getting ready to walk outside the walls....let me know.
in any event, i'll be telling what little i know about your story on january 10
to my first class of the year.
you are an excellent writer and have a great story to tell. thanks for sharing.
mary anne radmacher
artist, author, inspirator
get lost: that's how you find your way
back to yourself.

- mary

more love from the North

From Vashon:

Dave,

I am so blown away by your bread that it is impossible for me not to type.I am NOT a person who normally spends a lot of money on bread, but this is different.WAY TO GO, DUDE. Your product is SUPERB... it is re-defining what I call bread, and there is NO GOING BACK. Thanks from the bottom of my heart -- it is a LOT of money for me to be spending on a loaf of bread, but so worth it.Great job... I only wish I was closer to Portland to be able to go to the bakery and get more at a savings!!! You Rock!

Julie

From Seattle:

Dave:

Just purchased, for the first time, a loaf of your bread at a Metropolitan Market here in Seattle. I tried a loaf of the Powerseed, and love it. Thanks.

David

Hey Dave-

My wife and I just moved to the Pacific Northwest from Chicago. Shorty after we arrived, we discovered your breads at our local Whole Foods. I have to say, your breads are hands-down the best breads I've ever eaten. Thank you.

Oh, and have you ever considered making a cinnamon raisin nut bread?


From Bainbridge Island:

Dave:

I have been buying your bread for about a month now at the Bainbridge Island Town and Country Market. The Blues Bread is my favorite.
This morning I am taking your wrapper to Safeway on Bainbridge to make the pitch that they carry it as well.

As a businessman, I like your story, but more important, I like your bread. Gimmicks only sell once or twice (see Jones Soda), but great marketing and branding around a fabulous product makes for a great business opportunity. Bread is one of those areas where niche marketing as not had a perceivable impact.

Good luck and all my best,

Ron

more cherokee wisdom...

Lessons on Life
There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the Winter, the second in the Spring, the third in Summer, and the youngest son in the Fall.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful. It was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's Winter, you will miss the promise of your Spring, the beauty of your Summer, the fulfillment of your Fall.
Moral: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come.

faces of meth...

For those of you who may have heard the rumor that I went back to the joint, here's the proof. I am currently writing this on my spanking new laptop here in my cell, while my cellmate is etching my new "Good Seed" tattoo on my back.

(;Just kidding!!!;)

The Portland Police Department was kind enough to give my friend Varinthorne Christopher (www.varinthorn.blogspot.com) this photo for the book she is putting together. This commemorates one of the worst days of my life, the day I bled all over 82nd Avenue as a result of trying to resist arrest with handcuffs on--not recommended behavior, by the way--back in '97. I thought I would share it, so that next time you see me you will know where all the scars come from.

And yes, that is a mullet.

killer bread fans speak!!!

From the belly of the beast to the hearts of thousands of bread-lovers...have I been fortunate? Do the math.

I live for these: this one from way up north in the Puget Sound.

We just wanted to thank you for your bread.
Our 15 year old son has a bowel condition that
has gone on for years - part of the problem is
genetic as he is part Native American and does
not digest some things well. Part has been getting
him to eat enough fiber. We've been at this
for a number of years on our own and finally
found a good doctor who specializes in this
condition. So he's getting treatment now and
the doctor advised more fiber. I grit my teeth
and went back to the Payless in Freeland to see
what the fiber options were now.

In the past it's been very difficult because he
didn't like the taste of most high fiber breads
and was freaked out by breads with quantities
of seeds sticking out of them - until your bread.
Now all I hear is 'make sure we don't run out
of Dave's bread, Mom'. And his dad and I feel
the same way about your bread so my son
doesn't feel anymore as if he has to eat something
the rest of us aren't eating.

We owe you, Dave - thanks for your wonderful
contribution to helping our son get well.

-Jan

I couldn't do better than this if I wrote the emails myself.

This lady tried the Peace Bomb first:

OK...I went the new "New Seasons Market" on Sunnyside Road in Clackamas and bought a loaf of your Peace Bomb bread, and I have to say Wow!!
What a magnificent taste sensation. I love this bread. You can ask everyone in my family, and they would say that I am kinda of the "Bread Connoisseur"
of our group. So I ate some tonight, the texture and heartiness of this bread is out of this world. Can't wait to taste your other breads that you make.....

You Rock....

Your (bread) Fan Forever

Nancy

And one about the Peace Bomb's big sister:

Hey, I just got a loaf of your flourless sprouted seed bread at the salvation army and now it's my new favorite kind! I like sprouted breads but I've never had one that tastes this good. Good job!

Ben

Hi!

We LOVE your bread--so glad we tried it!!!
I've been getting Flourless Sprouted wheat (Light blue package label) for about 6-8 months now...but recently I can't seem to find it at New Seasons (Cedar Hills Crossing) and Bales Thriftway. I'm hoping it's because other folks have discovered how good it is, not because you're discontinuing it!

Please let me know!
Thanks so much : )

Jennifer

Don't worry, Jennifer--we'll do our best to make sure they don't run out again!

If you had only subscribed to the DKB newsletter, you'd already know!

Hi Dave,
Love your bread! WOW!
A friend said that you sell your bread at an outlet store and can get it for less than I paid at New Seasons? Is this true? Is it the Nature Bake Outlet on 63rd? What is the cost of the good seed bread at the outlet? I know it is great fresh, but I may stock up and freeze some.

Thanks, Laura

Prices vary--but yes, there are some pretty crazy deals if you're willing to make the trip--1170 NE 63rd (off Halsey),

where's the killer bread? what's up with the sprouted wheat?

Killer Dave:
I LOVE your bread I just discovered it at Fred Meyer in in Canby in the organic section BUT it is hidden away from all of the other breads so maybe you should insist that they put it with the rest of the bread I only found it as I looked for organic peanut butter. My question is, what is SPROUTED and UNSPROUTED bread, and what is the difference and what is better for you? I notice that your GOOD SEED comes in the two kinds, and what is the difference? I looked in the glossary but did not find it. Your bread is AMAZING and your story is inspiring and just you know.. WOW!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!! I will eat your bread and none else from now on. I think you are amazing. My husband also loves your bread He makes guitars, for a living by the way exciting, huh? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzhahahah he has a website. www.chapinguitars.com ; Our shop was down for a bit because on April 19th in Canby our house EXPLODED from a gas explosion. - the phone co. did it. they were digging and hit the gas lines and it was huge mess but we are all okay. YIKES BUT we are rebuilding. We have been looking into all kids of organic things of late and we would love to build the new house with more earth friendly materials but they are expensive so we are gonna do what we can. Bill and I both think your story and your bread is INCREDIBLE! Have a great day!!! Liz Chapin

Hi Liz!

Terrific letter! Yes, I agree it’s in the wrong section. But after people have tried it, they usually go to wherever it is ;)
To your question now: Some say that sprouted wheat is better for you—easier to digest and all. I say the main difference between the original (and hands-down most popular) and the sprouted is that the sprouted is 100% whole-grain, while the original has about 40-60 organic white to whole wheat. There are other differences between them, but that is the big one. For that reason, The sprouted has more fiber, but both provide a good amount.

It never ceases to amaze and excite me the people I meet since I started making this bread! You and your husband are certainly no exception. Thanks for sharing your story with me. Good it is that you were not hurt—I’m sure you are thankful for that.

I visited the website—now I really want to play one of those axes! I will be in the market for a quality guitar soon, so I will definitely be looking you up.

dave

killer dan makes good use of dkb shopping bag

Odds are that you haven't seen any of the limited-edition Dave's Killer Bread shopping bags that were made from recycled plastic bottles, unless you're one of those I gave them out to at the beginning of the farmers' market season.

Well, "Killer Dan" Letchinger wouldn't be caught dead with one of those bags, so he decided to at least make use of the logo, which he's proud to wear on his back. After all, he is one of dkb's most talented and enthusiastic representatives. He has been the one who gets it done while I have been away these past several weekends (servicing the Puget Sound area). This is the only way way we could keep doing the farmers' markets.

He surprised me with this jacket last week, and I just had to snap a photo for the blog. Perhaps it is a prototype for future dkb gear...