Several packages of sourdough bread labeled 'Southeast Sourdough City Loaf' wrapped in brown paper with labels, arranged closely together.

Bread is for Everybody

Southeast Sourdough Baker

Naturally Fermented. Community Fed. Culturally Rooted.

People at an outdoor farmers market with a vendor selling assorted baked goods on a Southeast Sourdough's red tablecloth.

Who is Southeast Sourdough

Southeast Sourdough is a small batch, community rooted sourdough bread program operating from a shared community kitchen in Ward 8, Washington, D.C.

Under our parent company Culture To Go, we focus on increasing food access, preserving cultural food traditions, and creating local economic opportunity through thoughtfully made, naturally fermented foods.

SOURDOUGH

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CONDIMENTS

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PERSERVES

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SOURDOUGH ✳︎ CONDIMENTS ✳︎ PERSERVES ✳︎

OUR MOTTO

naturally fermented

Illustration of a beige wheat stalk with multiple grains.

community fed

Blue hand making a peace sign with two fingers

Culturally Rooted

A cartoonish green root with a dark green outline.

Upcoming Events

  • Landscape with mountains, a lake, hills, and grassy fields under a cloudy sky.

    Bloomingdale Farmer’s Market

    April 26th, 9:00AM-1:00PM

    Southeast Sourdough at Bloomingdale Farmers Market
    Fresh loaves, focaccia, and more—come early.

    1700 1st Street NW, 20001

  • Bloomingdale Farmer’s Market Building

    Bloomingdale Farmer’s Market

    May 24th, 9:00AM-1:00PM

    Catch Southeast Sourdough at Bloomingdale Farmers Market
    Fresh bread, baked that morning. Pull up.

    1700 1st Street NW, 20001

  • Modern building with wooden and white exterior, large glass window, set against mountain landscape with grassy foreground.

    Bridge Park Kiosk Program

    Selected Dates Coming Soon!

  • Logo for Dreaming Out Loud Grocery Store

    Dreaming Out Loud Farmer’s Market

    Starting in June

    A selection of our sourdough will be available every Saturday.

    Dreaming Out Loud

    Marion Barry Ave Market

    1303 Marion Barry Ave SE, 20020

MEET THE FOUNDER

Joseph McPherson trained in kitchens across Washington, DC before spending seven years in San Francisco at Zuni Café, where he built a strong foundation in technique, sourcing, and systems that support consistency at scale. After returning to DC, he continued his growth through roles at Mirabelle, Big Bear Café, and leadership positions with Call Your Mother Deli, DCity Smokehouse, and Crazy Aunt Helen’s.

A turning point came through a food entrepreneur program and pitch competition with Dreaming Out Loud. His sourdough bread sparked immediate demand and his plan for increasing food access helped him win. That moment led to the creation of Southeast Sourdough—a production-first bakery focused on bread as an accessible staple. Today, the business continues to grow through farmers markets, CSA partnerships, wholesale accounts, and direct neighborhood sales.

Joseph, owner of Southeast Sourdough, smiling man with a Southeast Sourdough's shirt

The heart behind Joseph’s work is simple: real, fresh, local. Products that make you feels good, tastes good, and comes from people you actually know.

A friendly neighbor who bakes the best bread you’ve ever had. He centers on the belief that bread is for everybody, celebrating culture, community, and the importance of knowing where your food comes from, Anacostia, DC.

OUR PROdUCTS

Naturally leavened sourdough breads baked 3–4 days per week

Close-up of Southeast Sourdough's  garlic focaccia bread with herbs and toasted golden-brown edges.

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia

Soft focaccia sprinkled with rosemary, garlic confit and flaked sea salt.

Close-up of Southeast Sourdough's sesame seed bun bakery bread roll.

Sesame Sandwich Buns

Soft sandwich buns topped with toasted sesame seeds. (6pcs)

Close-up of Southeast Sourdough's loaf of rustic bread with a dark, crusty top and a light, soft interior

Sesame White Sandwich Bread

Traditional bread pan shape with sesame seeds folded into the loaf.

Southeast Sourdough's three white chocolate chip cookies stacked on top of each other.

White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cookies

Made with brown butter and coated in cinnamon sugar. (3pcs)

Close-up of Southeast Sourdough's round, crusty loaf of bread with a golden-brown crust.

City Loaf

Rustic Batard Style Sourdough

Southeast Sourdough's peach jam or preserve with a brown paper cover tied with a white string.

Seasonal Jam

Jeff’s Jam of the week flavored by and for the season.

Your #1 Guide to Our Bread

From how our bread is crafted to the best way to enjoy it at home, we’ve gathered helpful information in the sections below. Browse details about our bread production, wholesale partnerships, value products, storage tips, and simple methods to reheat and refresh your loaf.

  • Core Sourdough Offerings:

    • Rustic Loaves

    • Fresh Milled Whole Grain Loaves

    • Soft Sandwich Loaves

    • Classic and Seasonal Focaccias 

    Breakfast Pastries:

    • Danishes

    • Brioche Buns

    • Cinnamon Rolls 

  • Partners include:

    Consistent, scalable production for wholesale partners:

    • Supplying local cafés, restaurants, and community food spaces

    • Flexible ordering for small businesses

    • Emphasis on long-term relationships over volume-only growth

    • House made condiments, jams, and jellies

    • Pie doughs and pizza doughs.

    • Products designed to complement bread service and catering

    • Small batch, seasonal, and locally sourced when possible

  • Because our breads are free from preservatives, proper storage helps maintain quality and flavor.

    For Daily Use (3–5 days):

    • Store bread in an almost airtight bag or wrapped tightly at room temperature.

    • Avoid the refrigerator—it dries bread out and shortens its life.

    For Freezing:

    • Pre-slice the bread before freezing for easy use.

    • Place slices in a freezer-safe bag or container.

    • Freeze for up to 2–3 months.

    • Remove only what you need and reheat or toast directly from frozen.

  • Our breads reheat beautifully and are easy to refresh.

    Oven Method (Best for Loaves & Focaccia):

    1. Remove any plastic or wrapping.

    2. Place bread (or tin, if applicable) in a 375°F oven.

    3. Heat for 10–12 minutes until warmed through.

    4. Remove from tin if needed, slice, and enjoy.

    Toaster or Skillet (Slices):

    • Toast slices lightly, or warm in a dry skillet for a crisp exterior and soft center.

    Enjoy your bread on its own, dipped in olive oil, paired with your favorite cheeses, or alongside soups, pastas, and everyday meals.

Southeast Sourdough's freshly baked loaves of bread cooling on wire racks, with some loaves having a crusty, golden-brown exterior and others slightly darker.

Why Sourdough Matters

Our breads are naturally fermented using wild yeast and bacteria, resulting in:

  • Improved digestibility

  • Lower glycemic impact compared to conventional bread

  • Longer shelf life without additives

  • Deeper flavor and texture

This makes Southeast Sourdough an ideal fit for customers seeking health-forward, artisan, and culturally meaningful food.

Help Feed Our southeast Sourdough Starter!

Like any good starter, this one grows when it’s fed.

Every 9 loaves sold helps us share 1 loaf within the community. Want to do a little more? Add $1 to your purchase to help put another loaf into circulation.

It’s simple: more bread, shared more widely.

A glass bowl filled with freshly prepared, fluffy, risen bread dough.

MADE IN Anacostia

Southeast Sourdough's Anacostia's building stamp illustration.
Southeast Sourdough's Anacostia's big chair stamp illustration.

get in touch

Reach out with catering requests, workshop ideas, or general questions. Our team will respond as soon as possible.

Southeast Sourdough's cartoon bread loaf with a golden-brown crust and a soft, light interior