“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’s made up of nearly 2,000 members — bakers, millers, farmers, and suppliers. Its mission is to support the craft baking industry through education, training, and community building. Founded in 1993, the same year Macrina opened its doors, the Guild formed as the ascendant artisan bread movement was taking off and more Americans were discovering the joy of fresh-baked bread. 

Running a bakery is challenging, and the Guild’s support and community gave Macrina founder Leslie Mackie a boost. Leslie served on the board from 2012 to 2015. This year, Scott was elected to the board of directors for a three-year term, reflecting the professional baking community’s respect for 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.” 

The Rise Up! Podcast recently featured Scott France, who spoke about the rewards and challenges of overseeing a large, multifaceted bakery while preserving Macrina’s artisan standards. He emphasized how a strong internal culture — built on supporting and developing dedicated employees — allows the bakery to maintain its high quality and remain successful.