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 options—porch pickup (Wed/Thurs), Providence Market (Thurs), or Blue Apple Books (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 Tuesday 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 Tuesday?
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?
- Wednesdays, 5–6 PM – My home in River Landing, Madison (address in confirmation email)
- Thursdays, 5–6 PM – My home in River Landing, Madison (address in confirmation email)
Providence Market:
- Thursdays, 5:30–8:30 PM – Providence Farmers Market in Huntsville (add a note at checkout requesting "Providence Market pickup" if you prefer this over porch pickup)
Blue Apple Books:
- Fridays – Blue Apple Books on Main Street in Madison. If I'm hosting a pop-up, look for The Sour Crumb table (11am-2pm) If not, I'll be there 11 AM–12 PM with your order
Your confirmation email will include specific pickup details and address.
What is porch pickup?
Porch pickup is our convenient option for local Madison customers. Your order will be labeled and ready at my home in River Landing. Ring the doorbell or text when you arrive. If I'm not available, your order will be in a labeled bag or cooler on the porch.
Available Wednesdays 5–7 PM and Thursdays 5–7 PM. Address provided in your order confirmation.
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?
Fresh-baked items (breads, cookies, and focaccia) are local pickup only.
Pantry goods and baking tools (pancake mixes, granola, vanilla, herb dips, sourdough starter toolkits) ship nationwide for $11.95 flat rate.
Shipping is available at checkout.
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?
This year we are offering a core menu to reflect what you all asked for last year. 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 Blue Apple Books 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 (Have a favorite that isn't on the menu anymore?)
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 bag or bread box at room temperature for 2–3 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
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 ingredients—King 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?
Not at this time. Our focus is on traditional sourdough and baked goods made with wheat flour, eggs, and dairy. We're a small operation and specialize in what we do best!
Sourdough Starter & Classes
What is Clyde?
Clyde is our sourdough starter—the 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 free Rehydrating Clyde mini-course 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 our Around Town page for upcoming class dates and details.
I've never baked sourdough before. Where should I start?
Start with our Sourdough Starter Kit, which includes everything you need: dehydrated starter, a banneton proofing basket, and free access to our beginner-friendly course. Or check out our The Journey page for helpful blog posts!
