Kelso Students To Taste-Test Specially-Crafted Hamburger Buns From Kalama Sourdough Bakery (Photo) - 09/18/25
Kelso School District is teaming up with Kalama Sourdough Bakery to give students a say in what’s served on their lunch trays. For the past two years, the district has sourced rolls from the family-owned bakery. Now, they’re exploring replacing mass-produced hamburger buns with a locally-made sourdough version that meets federal school nutrition standards and wins over student taste buds.
On Thursday, September 25, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, Kelso High School students will sample the Kalama Sourdough Bakery hamburger buns specially-crafted for Kelso and share their feedback. The bakery’s owner, marketing coordinator, and head of research and development will be on-site to talk with students about the benefits of sourdough and how these buns differ from the typical store-bought variety.
“We really care about what we’re making,” said Robert Ahrens, owner of Kalama Sourdough Bakery. “We want to provide a bun that tastes good and makes students feel good. We’re happy to take feedback from students and apply it to make the best product.”
Kelso School District Nutrition Services Director Kaydee Harris has partnered closely with the bakery to create a bun that meets all school meal standards while delivering a fresh, artisan taste.
“This collaboration is about more than bread—it’s about sourcing local products, elevating the quality of our meals, and giving students a voice,” said Harris. “When students help shape the menu, they’re more excited to eat what’s on their plate.”
If the student response is positive, Kalama Sourdough buns could become a staple across Kelso’s cafeterias as early as this school year.
Kelso School District recently received two Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, in partnership with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK). These awards celebrate the district’s innovative approaches to improving the nutritional quality of school meals while keeping students at the center of the process.
About Kelso School District
Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.
About Kalama Sourdough Bakery
Robert Ahrens started Kalama Sourdough Bakery in 2011 as a homeschooling project at the age of 13. As part of his educational curriculum, his parents encouraged him to start a business. Given his passion for baking, he chose to launch a bakery, initially selling just 10 loaves per week at Kalama Shopping Center. Since then, he has expanded the business in a responsible, ethical manner. Consistently prioritizing local customers and suppliers and the same mother culture starter that started it all. Years later, you can now find their delicious breads all over the PNW! With over 30 employees and continued growth, they strive to maintain the essence of the bakery's very humble beginnings.
