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News Release

Kelso High Students Choose Local Kalama Sourdough Bakery Buns In Taste Test - 09/25/25

Kelso High School students have spoken, and the results are clear: local flavor wins. In a taste test held today, over 200 students selected Kalama Sourdough Bakery’s hamburger bun by a 4-to-1 margin over the district’s current mass-produced bun.

 

Students sampled both options side-by-side and relished the opportunity to influence what’s served in their cafeteria. “It’s wonderful to be able to give students a say in what goes on their plate. And it’s great to see they can taste the difference,” said Kaydee Harris, Kelso School District Nutrition Services Director.

 

Kalama Sourdough’s buns are made with just seven simple ingredients—flour, water, salt, sunflower oil, organic cane sugar, yeast, and a sourdough starter—and undergo a three-day fermentation process that delivers a hearty texture and distinct flavor. Importantly, each bun is 51% whole wheat, meeting federal school-meal standards while offering a nutty, wholesome taste.

 

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Kelso School District and happy to see students choosing Kalama Sourdough Bakery buns,” said Robert Ahrens, owner of Kalama Sourdough Bakery.

 

With such strong student support, the district plans to begin the transition to Kalama Sourdough buns during the 2025–26 school year, as early as the beginning of 2026.

 

This decision continues Kelso School District’s commitment to local partnerships, high-quality ingredients, and student voice in shaping the school meal experience.

 

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.

 

Photos and video from the day can be found here: bit.ly/ksd-buns

 

 

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.

Kelso High Students Choose Local Kalama Sourdough Bakery Buns In Taste Test - 09/25/25

Kelso High School students have spoken, and the results are clear: local flavor wins. In a taste test held today, over 200 students selected Kalama Sourdough Bakery’s hamburger bun by a 4-to-1 margin over the district’s current mass-produced bun.

 

Students sampled both options side-by-side and relished the opportunity to influence what’s served in their cafeteria. “It’s wonderful to be able to give students a say in what goes on their plate. And it’s great to see they can taste the difference,” said Kaydee Harris, Kelso School District Nutrition Services Director.

 

Kalama Sourdough’s buns are made with just seven simple ingredients—flour, water, salt, sunflower oil, organic cane sugar, yeast, and a sourdough starter—and undergo a three-day fermentation process that delivers a hearty texture and distinct flavor. Importantly, each bun is 51% whole wheat, meeting federal school-meal standards while offering a nutty, wholesome taste.

 

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Kelso School District and happy to see students choosing Kalama Sourdough Bakery buns,” said Robert Ahrens, owner of Kalama Sourdough Bakery.

 

With such strong student support, the district plans to begin the transition to Kalama Sourdough buns during the 2025–26 school year, as early as the beginning of 2026.

 

This decision continues Kelso School District’s commitment to local partnerships, high-quality ingredients, and student voice in shaping the school meal experience.

 

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.

 

Photos and video from the day can be found here: bit.ly/ksd-buns

 

 

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.