IFT recently took place at McCormick Place, Chicago, from July 15-18. IFT is presented by the Institute of Food Technologists.

The Essential Baking Co. in Seattle—which was the first certified-organic and non-GMO bakery in the Pacific Northwest—brings baked goods to the greater Seattle area via three cafés and regional wholesale direct store delivery (DSD) throughout the Pacific Northwest. It also now reaches a national audience with its Take & Bake line of artisan sourdough bâtards and baguettes, which get a notable 190-day ambient shelf life thanks to modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP). For the full story, see “The organic and artisan ingenuity of The Essential Baking Co.”

For over 40 years, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, based in Boulder, CO, has resonated with a growing group of consumers seeking natural, authentic, organic baked goods. Rudi’s has grown from a storefront retail bakery into one of the nation’s leading certified-organic bread brands, even expanding into gluten-free production. Recent developments include working with local grain farmers for its Community Grains breads, with full traceability back to the farm. For the full story, see “Rudi’s Organic Bakery continues its pioneering path of success.”