How to Order & What to Expect

Handcrafted in Small Batches. Baked to Order.

Welcome to the Sourdough Guild! Because we are a traditional, small-scale micro-bakery, our baking process looks a little different than a standard commercial establishment. We bake everything by hand in our home kitchen under Maryland Cottage Food regulations.

To help us minimize food waste, plan our bakes, and guarantee you receive the freshest bread possible, we operate on a Pre-Order and Weekly "Drop" Schedule. Here is everything you need to know about getting our fresh bakes onto your table.

1. The Rules of a Local Cottage Bakery

Operating as a proud, home-based kitchen in Frederick, Maryland, means we have a few regulatory boundaries we must follow:

  • Shipping & Out-of-State Deliveries: Under Maryland cottage food laws, we cannot physically ship or deliver our products across Maryland state lines.

  • Out-of-State Visitors & Commuters Welcome! While we cannot deliver across state lines, you are absolutely welcome to pick up your order in person if you are from out of state. If you work in the area, are visiting friends, or are just passing through Frederick, simply select "Pickup" at checkout, swing by our home kitchen, and take your fresh bakes home with you!

  • Local Delivery Limits: We offer local delivery exclusively within Frederick city and the surrounding areas. Delivery is strictly limited to physical addresses within the following Maryland zip codes:

    • 21701, 21702, 21703, 21704, and 21705

    • Please note: We are unable to deliver to PO Boxes. A physical street address within our delivery zone is required.

  • Easy Home Pickup: Our home pickup option is open to everyone! Stop by to grab your warm, freshly baked goods straight from our kitchen.

2. Why We Require Pre-Orders

Every single loaf of bread and cinnamon roll we sell is made to order. Pre-ordering ensures we only buy the ingredients we need ahead of time and minimizes unsold product waste.

More importantly, true sourdough cannot be rushed. Traditional, long-fermented sourdough takes up to 3 days to mix, ferment, shape, cold-proof, and bake. Because of this slow, patient process, we have a 3-to-4 day cutoff window for all orders.

3. How Our Weekly "Bakery Drops" Work

Instead of keeping a daily inventory on hand, we schedule set "Product Drops" Tuesday through Saturday. A drop is a designated day where a fresh, set quantity of baked goods will be ready for you.

When placing your order, you will choose which drop day you want to receive your .

The Golden Rule: Order 4 Days in Advance

Because of our fermentation cutoff window, your selected drop day must always be at least 4 days in the future.

  • How to plan your order:

    • Want a Tuesday pickup/delivery? Order by Friday night.

    • Want a Thursday pickup/delivery? Order by Sunday night.

    • Want a Saturday pickup/delivery? Order by Tuesday night.

Step-by-Step: Placing Your Order

  1. Browse the Menu: Explore our weekly selection of long-fermented sourdough loaves.

  2. Choose Your Drop Day: Select your preferred pickup or delivery day (Tuesday through Saturday), making sure it is at least 4 days from today.

  3. Select Pickup or Delivery:

    • Local Delivery (available for physical street addresses within zip codes 21701, 21702, 21703, 21704, or 21705).

  4. Check Out: Complete your secure checkout.

  5. Enjoy Fresh Bread: Grab your bakes in person or wait for us to bring the bakery experience right to your doorstep!