Killer Bread: How a Prison Sentence, a Family Bakery, and a Second Chance Reshaped American Bread
At a Portland farmers market in 2005, a few humble loaves launched a life-changing story. Dave Dahl and his nephew watched as strangers lined up, drawn not just by bread, but by the idea that a man recently released from prison could bake something extraordinary. The crowd’s hunger reflected something deeper—a longing for second chances and for a product that tasted honest and bold. Dave had already spent 15 years behind bars. His youth unfolded amidst addiction and depression, even though he came from a baking family: his father ran NatureBake, and the whole family helped from early on. Yet adolescence pulled him away from the oven and toward trouble. This moment at the market wasn’t just about bread; it was a spark for a broader belief: that a life can be rebuilt, loaf by loaf.
In This Article:
Born into a Bakery, Broken by Addiction
Dave Dahl grew up in a baking family. His father owned NatureBake, and the kitchen was a shared space where every member pitched in from an early age. But adolescence pulled him off track. He wrestled with addiction and depression, and his path veered into trouble that would eventually land him behind bars. In total, Dave spent 15 years in prison. It was during his final sentence that he experienced an inner turning point—a quiet resolve to rewrite his story and start anew once released.
A Turnaround in the Oven: Rebuilding a Life with Family
After his release, Dave’s brother Glenn welcomed him back into the family bakery. This was the turning point that made a second chance feel real. Dave began designing new recipes, experimenting with seeds, whole grains, and different textures. His goal was simple but ambitious: bread that was tasty, honest, and healthy—bread that could stand up to the best in any bakery, while staying grounded in reality and community.
Dave’s Killer Bread: A Second-Chance Movement
From this kitchen experiments grew a brand that was about more than flavor. Dave’s Killer Bread emerged as a symbol of second chances—an invitation to rebuild, one loaf at a time. Today the line includes more than 30 varieties of bread, buns, and muffins, all made with organic ingredients and non-GMO. But the real value lies in the mission: the Second Chances program, a workforce initiative that helps people with pasts find steady employment, recognizing that talent can emerge when given a chance to prove itself.
From Sale to Stewardship: A Fortune with a Mission
In 2015, Dave sold the company to Flower Foods for $275 million, but he stayed true to his mission. He continues to work with organizations that help former prisoners rejoin the workforce and inspires thousands to pursue change. Dave’s Killer Bread became more than a brand; it became a movement—a reminder that great ideas can come from imperfect beginnings and that it’s never too late to start over with courage and care.
