Why Organic Bread Matters This Autumn
Why Organic Bread Matters This Autumn: Seasonal Baking, Local Ingredients & Sustainable Choices
There’s something unmistakably comforting about the smell of freshly baked bread on a crisp autumn day. As the leaves turn and the air cools, we crave warmth, nourishment, and connection - and food plays a central role in that seasonal shift. But not just any food.
This autumn, more people than ever are asking: what’s really in my bread? For those who care about sustainability, wellbeing, and food provenance, organic bread isn’t just a trend, it’s a daily choice with real impact.
At Aston’s Bakehouse, based in the village of Inkpen near Hungerford, we’re proud to bake 100% organic, additive-free breads using stone-milled heritage grains and sustainable practices that reflect the season and the land. This blog explores why organic bread matters more than ever during autumn, and why choosing local, ethical baking is a decision that supports both your body and your community.
Why Organic Bread Matters for Berkshire, Oxfordshire & Beyond
As the autumn harvest arrives, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where our food comes from and what it really contains. In colder months, our bodies naturally seek heartier, more nourishing food. For many, that starts with bread.
But not all bread is created equal.
Many supermarket loaves are made with refined, nutrient-depleted flours, chemical preservatives, and fast-acting yeasts that prioritise shelf-life over substance. In contrast, organic bread, especially when made using traditional methods, supports:
Soil health and regenerative farming practices
Digestive health through natural fermentation
Better flavour and texture from unadulterated grains
Lower food miles when sourced and baked locally
In places like Hungerford, Oxfordshire, Swindon, and London, where our breads are proudly stocked, choosing organic supports a food system that values people, planet, and provenance.
Inside Aston’s Autumn Baking Process
At Aston’s Bakehouse, autumn is one of our busiest, most flavourful times of year. Here’s what goes into every seasonal loaf:
1. Heritage Grains for Cold-Weather Nutrition
We use ancient grain varieties like spelt, rye, and heritage wheat, which are naturally higher in fibre, flavour, and micronutrients. These grains are better suited to colder seasons, supporting digestion and satiety when we need it most.
Our spelt sourdough and seeded rye loaves are favourites in autumn: dense, nourishing, and ideal alongside soups or roasted vegetables.
2. In-House Stone Milling for Freshness
We don’t just buy flour, we mill it ourselves on-site using traditional Austrian and French stone mills. This slow, low-heat process preserves the grain’s natural oils and nutrients, unlike industrial roller milling, which strips away the good stuff and requires synthetic enrichment.
Read more about our milling process here.
3. Ambient Fermentation for Flavour & Digestibility
Every loaf at Aston’s undergoes slow, ambient fermentation, with no artificial chillers or chemical additives. This traditional method enhances flavour, reduces gluten stress, and supports gut health naturally.
It also means our breads stay fresher, longer, and are more easily digestible, especially important as immune systems work harder during autumn.
4. Autumn Specials & Comfort Classics
Each season, we introduce limited-time loaves and flavour infusions inspired by the harvest. While we keep recipes simple and organic, autumn might bring:
Spiced walnut sourdough
Roasted squash focaccia
Toasted seed & oat bloomer
Follow our Instagram for weekly product updates from the bakery.
Supporting Local Food Systems This Autumn
When you choose bread from Aston’s Bakehouse, you’re not just buying a loaf. You’re joining a network of independent food producers, growers, and retailers who believe in doing things differently.
Here’s why that matters:
Local Matters, Especially Now
Autumn is a critical time for small food businesses. As people shop for comforting seasonal foods, decisions made now affect producers well into winter. Buying local means:
Fewer food miles and less packaging waste
Direct support for ethical farming and small-scale baking
A shorter, more transparent supply chain
Our Markets & Stockists This Season
Find our breads this autumn at:
London Farmers' Markets (Weekends):
Brook Green
Brockley
Parliament Hill
West Hampstead
Herne Hill
Queen’s Park
Local Stockists Include:
Fishers of Newbury
Tolhurst Organics, Whitchurch-on-Thames
True Food Co-op, Reading
Mabels, Old Town Swindon
Pomona Foods, London
FAQs: What You Should Know
Q. Is organic bread really worth the cost?
Yes. Organic bread is made without pesticides, artificial fertilisers, or additives. At Aston’s, we also mill our own flour and bake using traditional methods, giving you superior nutrition and flavour per slice.
Q. Can I buy your bread outside of Hungerford?
Absolutely. We deliver to stockists across London, Oxford, Swindon, and Berkshire, and you can find us at farmers' markets every weekend.
Q. Do you offer wholesale supply?
Yes. We work with independent cafés, delis, and ethical retailers across the UK. Contact us for wholesale enquiries.
Q. What is Demeter certification?
Demeter (GB-ORG-06) is one of the world’s strictest organic standards. It means everything from our flour to our fermentation process meets the highest standards of sustainability and purity.
How Aston’s Bakehouse Supports Seasonal, Sustainable Eating
Aston’s Bakehouse isn’t just an artisan bakery in West Berkshire, it’s a small team passionate about doing things the right way.
Whether it’s baking in harmony with the seasons, supporting local agriculture, or minimising waste, we strive to offer real alternatives to industrial food systems.
We don’t use additives. We don’t cut corners. We just bake proper bread.
If you care about:
✔ Organic ingredients
✔ Supporting local food makers
✔ Sustainable, additive-free baking
Then you’re in the right place.
This Autumn, Choose Bread with Purpose
As the days get shorter and comfort food becomes more important, take a moment to think about the story behind your loaf.
With Aston’s Bakehouse, you’re not just choosing better bread, you’re choosing better farming, better baking, and a better future.
Visit us at a farmers’ market or stockist near Hungerford, London, Oxford, or Swindon.
Call us directly: 01488 500425
Email: info@astonsbread.co.uk