The Good Loaf

In the heart of Northampton’s Boot and Shoe Quarter, located in an old shoe factory, sits this bakery and café. The Good Loaf Bakery’s tag line is “Good Bread Doing Good”, which really encapsulates what this bakery is all about. In addition to baking amazing bread, The Good Loaf give back to the local Northamptonshire community. They provide work placements for local women who need a helping hand to break out of a cycle of poverty, unemployment and offending. At the end of their placements, the women have gained many valuable skills to help them find employment.

The Good Loaf team comprises paid staff members, volunteers and also the women on work placements. They all work together to create amazing breads. My personal favourite is the white sourdough loaf but all of it is good quality and is made using natural ingredients with no artificial additives or preservatives.

You can buy Good Loaf bread in several shops and delis in the area including The Italian Shop and St Giles Cheese. Several cafes such as The Plump Partridge and Vintage Retreat Tea Rooms also use Good Loaf bread in their meals.

By Lisa Hayter, south Northants editor