From September 15 to 21, the net proceeds from the sale of our Large Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies will benefit the Bread Bakers Guild of America. 

“The community of bakers and bakeries in this country is — and I think the Bread Bakers Guild has been a big part of that — so open,” says Scott France, Macrina’s president and co-owner. “It’s a pleasure to connect with people who are striving to do the same thing we are: make great bread and support our teams.” 

The Bread Bakers Guild of America is the nation’s premier organization devoted to the art and science of bread. It counts nearly 2,000 bakers, millers, farmers, and suppliers among its members. Its mission is to strengthen craft baking through education, training, and community. Founded in 1993, the year Macrina opened, the Guild emerged just as the artisan-bread movement was gaining steam and more Americans were discovering the joy of fresh bread. 

Running a bakery is challenging, and the Guild’s support gave Macrina founder Leslie Mackie a welcome boost. Leslie served on the board from 2012 to 2015. In 2024, Scott accepted a three-year seat on the board — a nod to the industry’s regard for Macrina. 

Guild ties have helped Macrina surmount the challenges of growing into a multifaceted bakery while preserving Macrina’s artisan standards. A strong internal culture, rooted in supporting and developing dedicated employees, still drives the quality that first defined Macrina. 

Scott says, “As we have grown over the years, we have visited bakeries all over the country — most of them through connections with the Bread Bakers Guild, which is such a great resource for all of us. Any Guild member who wants to come and visit Macrina is welcome. We would love to have you come by.”