A family AffairNatural Bread began with a love of good food, family and traditional baking.

Growing up in France, founder Claire Véry was inspired by the local markets and the tradition of freshly baked bread. In 2006, Claire and her husband William Black brought that passion to Oxfordshire, founding Appleton Farmers Market.

They began developing their own naturally leavened sourdough, with William travelling across Europe to learn from many traditional bakers.

Their loaves quickly became a sell-out. What started in their home kitchen grew into a commercial bakery in Botley.

Keeping the passion aliveSadly, William passed away in December 2014 after a year-long battle with brain cancer. Claire continued his vision, keeping his passion for good food, natural ingredients, family and tradition at the heart of Natural Bread.

Claire was supported by Bakery Director Michal Sukiennik, who had joined Natural Bread in 2012 after training in the finest Polish traditions of craft baking and qualifying as a Master Baker.

Michal’s passion for quality sourdough and family tradition remain central to the bakery.

Bread is life

In recent years, Natural Bread has focused on growing its wholesale bakery and expanding its network of stockists across Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties.

In 2024, Michal and his wife Klaudia became the new owners and Managing Directors, continuing the family values, high quality and reliability that Natural Bread is known for.

Today, Michal remains hands-on in the bakery, deliveries and on the market stalls, working alongside Klaudia, their family and specifically their son Dawid and who has followed in Michal's footsteps as a talented artisan baker.