Aunt Millie’s Bakeries in November added to its bread portfolio with the introduction of Live Carb Smart bread. Live Carb Smart contains one net carb per slice and is considered an excellent source of fiber. The product also is keto-friendly, vegan and contains no high-fructose corn syrup. The Carb Smart product line includes white, wheat and 5-Seed bread varieties.

Bimbo Bakeries USA, a division of Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, brought more innovation to the bread aisle in November with the launch of Sara Lee Artesano Potato Bakery Bread. The new bread features thick slices containing sea salt, butter and the flavor of potato bread.

In launching the new bread, BBU cited research showing consumers are gravitating toward more savory bread varieties, including brioche and potato.

“As a leading brand in the bread aisle, we want to continue to meet our loyal fans’ needs, demands and tastebuds,” said Ben Buch, marketing director of Sara Lee Bread. “With potato bread becoming a growing go-to for the American consumer, Sara Lee is thrilled to add this favorite to our family of varieties. We hope this new addition to our Artesano Bakery Breads portfolio will spark inspiration for new family-favorite recipes this fall and winter as they indulge in the flavors of the season.”

Sara Lee Artesano Bread is available in the bread aisle of grocery stores and major food retailers nationwide in a 20-oz, 15-slice loaf, for a suggested retail price of $2.99. In addition to the new potato variety, Artesano Bread is available in original, golden wheat and brioche.

BBU introduced the Artesano brand in the United States in 2015 under the Sara Lee banner. The product, which originated in Bimbo’s business in Colombia, has enjoyed great success over the past five years.

Bimbo said Artesano “bridges the bakery and grocery aisle divide with a handmade taste and mouthwateringly soft texture.”

Amid new product introductions of recent years in the bread category, Artesano is unusual for its absence of whole grains, specialty grains or targeted functional health benefit.

Three Bakers Gluten Free Bakery is rolling out new Gluten Free Brioche Bread. Featuring a French-inspired recipe, the certified gluten-free bread is made with rice and corn flour and features a buttery dough with a hint of sweetness, the company said. The bread is soy-free, dairy-free and available at select ShopRite, Market Basket, Publix Stop and Shop, Hannaford and Wegmans stores.

Bimbo Bakeries USA joined forces with The Walt Disney Co. in October to debut Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat branded Kids Organic White Bread featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the packaging. The bread was “developed for picky eaters to love and parents to feel good about,” the company said.

Made with whole grain white wheat flour, the USDA certified organic and Non-GMO Project verified bread is baked using renewable wind energy. Each two-slice serving contains 150 calories and provides 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 15 grams of whole grains.

“The focus of this launch is bringing parents and children a nutritious bread with great taste and texture,” said Jessica Grane, marketing director of premium brands at Bimbo Bakeries USA, a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV. “In teaming up with Disney, we have found a partner that aligns with our vision of delivering delicious and balanced nutrition, and we are proud to provide families with a bread that fits their wholesome lifestyles.”

Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat Kids Organic White Bread is available nationwide for around $4 per 18-oz loaf.

Aunt Millie’s Bakeries in November introduced Live Organic bread, described by Aunt Millie’s as a “farm-to-table organic product with bio-sourced packaging for people who choose organic for some or all of their food.” The Live Organic product line includes Seedful, 100% whole wheat, ancient grains and white loaves.

“Our new Live breads are breads you can feel good about,” said J. Bohn Popp, executive vice president of brand strategy at Aunt Millie’s Bakeries. “Inside and out, it is better tasting and better for you. That is extremely important to the Aunt Millie's family. Aunt Millie’s cares about connecting with our customers in the most wholesome way. From start to finish, we source, bake and package bread with social and environmental responsibility in mind so that families can live their best lives.”

In October, Bimbo Bakeries USA partnered with Land O’Lakes, Inc. to develop new Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat branded Country Style Butter Bread baked with Land O’Lakes butter.

Made with simple ingredients, including whole milk and sea salt, the bread is free from artificial preservatives, colors and flavors.

“As the largest premium bread brand in the country, we are delighted to partner with the leading branded butter, Land O’Lakes, to elevate a classic pairing,” said Jessica Grane, marketing director of premium and artisan bread at Bimbo Bakeries USA, a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV. “This strategic alliance brings America's favorite butter to the bread aisle and is sure to become a household staple.”

Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat Country Style Butter Bread is available at retailers across the United States for the suggested average retail price of $4.49.

After more than a year in test marketing in California, Bimbo Bakeries USA in October rolled out The Rustik Oven signature artisan bread line nationwide.

The Rustik Oven is available in three varieties — sourdough, artisan white, and hearty grains and seeds. The bread is Non-GMO Project verified and made without any artificial colors or flavors.

“For so long, we heard our consumers’ feedback over the struggle of choosing between the superior quality of bread from their favorite local bakery and the longer shelf life and convenience of bread from a grocery store,” said Jessica Grane, marketing director for premium and artisan bread at BBU. “Thanks to our signature baking process, we’re proud to bring this unique offering to the artisan bread category and offer our fans the taste that they love in a more convenient way. The Rustik Oven is all about making simple gatherings an occasion to savor, and during these times when so many are eating more meals at home, we look forward to our three distinct varieties unleashing culinary imagination and inspiring a slower, more delicious pace of life.”

In a 2019 interview with Milling & Baking News, Jon Silvon, then vice president of BBU, said The Rustik Oven was brought to the United States after a successful launch in Spain.

Produced with a sourdough starter, The Rustik Oven bread is baked slowly in a stone oven, ensuring even baking and allowing the loaf to develop a firm, golden crust, BBU said. The company said the sourdough variety ferments 24 hours before baking.

The Rustik Oven introduction marks the second time in recent years BBU has looked to one of its overseas markets to mine a production innovation idea for transplantation to the United States. In 2015, the company launched Artesano bread in the United States under the Sara Lee banner. The product, which originated in Bimbo’s business in Colombia, has enjoyed great success.

To celebrate the nationwide launch of The Rustik Oven, BBU partnered with celebrity chef Laura Vitale to offer an exclusive cooking experience for one fan and their friends and family. Ms. Vitale is host of “Simply Laura” on The Cooking Channel and “Laura in the Kitchen,” her YouTube cooking show with more than 3.7 million subscribers. The contest ran from Oct. 9 to Nov. 9.

“Great bread is such an important foundation to any meal,” Ms. Vitale said. “I love that The Rustik Oven is made using simple, real ingredients — it's the perfect canvas for so many meals.”

The Rustik Oven is available at grocery stores and other major food retailers nationwide, with a suggested retail price of $4.69.

Calise & Sons Bakery, Inc. announced its first foray into the breakfast category in October with its new Brioche Style Cinnamon Chip Texas Toast. A staple throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, Calise brings its signature gourmet brioche style bread to the breakfast table.

“For four generations, Calise has been known for providing the freshest, best-tasting bread and rolls for lunch and dinner,” said Michael R. Calise, president of Calise Bakery. “Expanding our treasured brioche style bread into breakfast was a natural next step for us, but we took our time to ensure that what we brought to the table was truly different than anything else out there. Our new Brioche Style Cinnamon Chip Texas Toast offers a fresh take on the most important meal of the day, making it the perfect treat for the whole family.”

Calise Bakery Brioche Style Cinnamon Chip Texas Toast is dairy- and egg-free and comes at a suggested retail price of $4.29 for a 16-oz package (approximately 13 slices). The product is available at Stop & Shop, Big Y, Price Chopper, Target, Shaw’s, Roche Bros, Adam’s, BJ’s Wholesale Clubs, Geissler’s, Adam’s and other retailers throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In September, Soozy’s Grain-Free announced the launch of a new line of grain-free bread.

Soozy’s bread is available in two varieties: Original Sandwich Bread and Superseed Bread. Each slice has less than 8 grams of net carbs per serving and contains almond flour, coconut flour and avocado oil.

“When thinking about creating grain-free bread, it was important to us to ensure that the taste and texture was just as delicious (if not more so) than a traditional loaf of bread”, said Mason Sexton, co-founder and chief executive officer of Soozy's Grain-Free. “All too often, health-conscious consumers are forced to choose between taste, texture and nutrition. It’s so challenging to find a product that has it all. We spent endless hours in the kitchen tweaking and refining our recipes, so that we could achieve the light and fluffy texture we all know and love. We are so pleased to have the opportunity to bring our vision for this product line to life.”

All of Soozy’s Grain-Free products are Non-GMO Project verified, certified glyphosate residue-free and made without sugar alcohols, gums and stabilizers.

Soozy’s Grain-Free bread is available at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide, in the gluten-free frozen bread aisle. The bread is available in 11.1-oz half loaves for $5.99.

Specialty food brand Eat Me Guilt Free debuted Protein Bread in July. Made with a protein mixture of wheat and soy, the bread contains 12 grams of protein per two-slice serving.

In January, Franz Bakery introduced Keto White Bread, made with wheat, chicory and oat fiber. Featuring no added sugar and zero net carbs, each slice contains 40 calories, 4 grams of protein, 12 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbs and 1.5 grams of fat.