FAQ & Policies
Find answers to common questions about ordering, pickup, payments, products, and policies. Everything you need to know before placing your order.
Ordering & Pickup
How does ordering work?
When you place an order, you're ordering from what we're baking for that week. At checkout, you'll choose one of our available pickup optionsβporch pickup (Wed-Fri) or Lemon & Lavender (Fri).
Our Core Menu features the breads, treats, and dry mixes available regularly. Ordering ensures your favorites are reserved and ready for pickup.
Payment is collected at checkout. Once you complete your order, you'll receive a confirmation email with pickup details, and your items will be reserved immediately.
When do I need to place my order?
Orders close Monday at 6 PM for that week's pickup (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday).
We bake in small batches to exact demand, so ordering early ensures you get what you want!
What if I forget to order by Monday?
It happens! Reach out as soon as you remember, and we'll do our best to accommodate you if space allows. Once we're sold out, we can't add orders.
Where and when do I pick up my order?
- Wednesday - Friday, 4β6 PM β My home in River Landing, Madison (address to be sent via email after order confirmation)
Lemon & Lavender:
- Fridays β I'll deliver your order to L&L on Main Street in Madison. Your order will be available for pick-up after 11am until 6:30 pm.
What is porch pickup?
Porch pickup is our convenient option for local Madison (35756) customers. Your order will be labeled and ready at my home in River Landing. Your order will be waiting labeled for you on the pick up shelf on the porch.
Available Wednesdays thru Fridays 4β6 PM.
When is the bakery open?
We're open for orders year-round! Our online calendar shows available pickup dates when you place your order, simply choose your preferred date and location.
The bakery occasionally closes for school breaks and family time. These closures are reflected in the calendar, so you'll always see current availability when ordering.
Follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming dates and any schedule changes.
Do you offer delivery or shipping?
We do not offer shipping, as a cottage bakery in Alabama we are not allowed to ship baked goods out of state. All baked items are local pickup only.
Payment & Reservations
When do I pay for my order?
Payment is collected at checkout via credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or other digital payment methods. You'll receive an order confirmation email immediately, and your items will be reserved and ready for your selected pickup day.
What payment methods do you accept?
Online orders: Credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, and other digital payment methods through secure checkout.
In-person at markets: Cash, credit/debit cards, Venmo, CashApp, and Apple Pay.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Changes can be requested within 6 hours of invoice payment.
Cancellations must be made before baking begins to be eligible for a refund. Once prep has started, we cannot offer refunds.
If you have a concern after pickup, please reach out within 24 hours. We'll always do our best to make it right.
Do you offer refunds?
Due to the nature of baked goods and our made-to-order model, we cannot offer refunds once baking has started. If there's an issue with your order, please contact us within 24 hours of pickup and we'll work to make it right.
Products & Menus
How often does your menu change?
We offer a core menu to reflect wour most popular items, but occasionally a speciality or seasonal item will appear. You'll find our core favorites available year round.
Do you ever have extras?
Occasionally, yes! While we bake to meet pre-orders and stock our pickup locations, factors like weather can affect what sells.
When there are extras, we share them on Instagram @the_sour_crumb so you can snag them while they last. You're also welcome to order for pickup at Lemon & Lavender on Friday's on Main Street in Downtown Madison.
Do you take custom orders?
We don't accept fully off-menu custom orders due to limited baking space. However, we're happy to accommodate menu-based requests when time allows.
What we can do:
- Bulk orders (cookie boxes, multiple loaves, etc.)
- Alternate flavors from our seasonal lineup
- Last seasons flavors (If ingredients are available)
Just reach out and we'll let you know if we can make it happen!
How should I store my sourdough bread?
For best results, store your sourdough in a paper or beeswax bag or bread box at room temperature for 2β3 days. Avoid plastic bags, as they can make the crust soft. For longer storage, slice and freeze in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Toast slices straight from frozen!
Can I freeze sourdough bread?
Absolutely! Sourdough freezes beautifully. Slice it first, then store in an airtight freezer bag. You can toast slices straight from frozen, or thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
Ingredients & Allergens
Are your baked goods corn-free?
Yes! Every item we make is 100% corn-free, including hidden sources like:
- Corn syrup
- Corn starch
- Cornmeal
- Corn-based baking powders
We carefully screen all ingredient labels to avoid corn in any form. Clean, simple, trusted ingredients are at the heart of what we do.
What about other allergens?
All items are prepared in a home kitchen that uses: Wheat | Eggs | Dairy | Soy
Gluten-free items are made on separate days after a full deep clean.
We are nut-free! We do not use any tree nuts or peanuts in our kitchen.
While we are not a certified allergen-free facility, we take care to avoid cross-contamination. Please contact us with any allergy questions before ordering.
What ingredients do you use?
We use simple, real ingredientsβKing Arthur flours and grains, organic cane sugar or honey, quality butter and eggs, and our homemade vanilla paste. Every recipe is thoughtfully developed to be both delicious and as clean as possible, with no artificial additives or preservatives.
Do you offer gluten-free or vegan options?
Gluten-free: we're testing cookies and muffins made with gluten-free flour and our own gluten-free starter, and bread is next. They'll be available during limited gluten-free weeks, by pre-orders only.
Vegan: not at this time.
Are your gluten-free items safe for celiac disease?
We can't promise that. Our gluten-free items are made with certified gluten-free ingredients in a home kitchen that also handles wheat. We bake on separate days from our wheat items, after a deep clean of the kitchen and oven, using equipment that is dedicated to only gluten-free baking. Because we're not a certified gluten-free kitchen, we can't guarantee zero cross-contact. If you have celiac disease or a serious allergy, please check with your doctor and contact us before ordering.
Sourdough Starter & Classes
Who is Clyde?
Clyde is our sourdough starterβthe heart of our bakery and the culture behind every loaf we bake. We offer Clyde in dehydrated form so you can start your own sourdough journey at home.
How do I use dehydrated starter?
When you purchase Clyde, you'll receive instant access to our freeΒ Rehydrating Clyde mini-courseΒ with step-by-step instructions, a printable feeding schedule, and troubleshooting tips. Just add water, follow the guide, and you'll have an active starter in a few days!
Do you teach sourdough classes?
Yes! We host hands-on sourdough classes at Lemon & Lavender on Main Street in Madison. Check ourΒ Around Town page for upcoming class dates and details.
I've never baked sourdough before. Where should I start?
Start with ourΒ Sourdough Workshop, its a hands on experience that walks you through all the steps to make your own bread at home. Or check out ourΒ The JourneyΒ page for helpful blog posts!
