When Pigs Fly Bakery is a New England–based artisan bread company known for its wide variety of creative breads and regional bakery shops, especially in Maine and the Boston area.

Quick Scoop on When Pigs Fly Bakery

When Pigs Fly Bakery is an American bread manufacturer and bakery brand originally founded in Maine in 1993 by Ron Siegel, a former restaurateur who started by baking loaves at home and renting a small space in Wells, Maine. The name comes from the expression “when pigs fly,” inspired by a poster his daughter had, and by family joking that pigs would fly before he made a living baking bread.

Over time the bakery expanded into a much larger operation based in York, Maine, producing thousands of loaves per day and supplying both its own stores and supermarkets across New England, as well as parts of New York and New Jersey. By around 2017, the main facility in York was about 25,000 square feet, employing roughly 80 people and turning out about 12,000 loaves daily on busy days.

In 2021, Ron and his brother Andrew stepped back from daily operations and leadership passed to Grant and James Broom, two brothers who now serve as CEO and president of the company. The brand has also become a recognizable retail presence through its own shops in several New England towns and cities, including locations in Massachusetts such as Somerville and Jamaica Plain.

Breads, Flavors, and What They’re Known For

When Pigs Fly specializes in all‑natural breads, made without added fats or preservatives, using unbleached flour milled to their specifications and other natural grains and ingredients. The company produces roughly 25 different varieties, ranging from classic sourdough and whole‑grain styles to more unusual, dessert‑like or savory combinations.

Some highlighted or commonly mentioned varieties include options like chocolate breads, lemonade‑inspired loaves, spinach ciabatta, and tomato-based breads, which stand out as more unconventional flavors. Reviews of their retail stores often emphasize that the breads are moist, flavorful, and unlike typical supermarket breads, with customers calling out favorites such as sun‑dried tomato and basil bread and praising the texture and freshness.

In addition to bread, individual shop reviews mention extras like Saturday donuts, cinnamon rolls, and other occasional treats, which help position the brand as more than just a packaged‑loaf operation and more like a neighborhood bakery stop. Some locations are also noted for big, high‑quality donuts that rotate with special flavors, drawing regulars on weekend mornings.

Where You’ll Find Them and What the Experience Is Like

When Pigs Fly breads are widely distributed in supermarkets throughout New England and into New York and New Jersey, with placement in chains such as Costco, Hannaford, Market Basket, Shaw’s, and Whole Foods Market. The company also sells bread online, allowing customers outside immediate store radiuses to order specialty loaves for delivery.

In‑store, the Somerville, MA location (and similar shops) offers more of an “artisan bread bar” feel: you can browse a large array of breads, often with sampling tables where staff explain ingredients and suggest pairings for specific loaves. Commenters describe the stores as places where you choose from over 25 handcrafted varieties, typically with pre‑sliced or par‑baked options that let you get bakery‑quality bread at home without handling the full baking process yourself.

Customer reviews of locations like Freeport, Maine highlight multiple varieties of bread, cookies, and pretzels, plus shelves of jams, jellies, mustards, and oils that complement the bread selection. This combination of variety, sampling, and complementary products makes the stores feel more like specialty food boutiques than basic bakeries.

Recent Buzz and Forum Talk

Recent online discussions and reviews suggest that specific locations can change over time, with some closures and local deals generating conversation among regulars. For example, a Reddit post in a Somerville community in 2025 mentions a “when pigs fly” location shutting down, while also confirming that the Somerville branch offers a mid‑week sourdough discount deal.

Travel and review platforms, such as Tripadvisor, list the Freeport, Maine bakery as a notable local attraction with many positive reviews praising the quality and variety of breads and baked goods. On business‑listing and local‑review sites that track Boston‑area bakeries, When Pigs Fly is often described as a “celebrated” or well‑known bread destination, emphasizing its range of breads, pastries, and desserts in the regional market.

Together, these reviews and forum posts paint a picture of a brand with a loyal following, where people not only buy loaves but also share tips about deals, favorite flavors, and which shop has the best add‑on treats.

Practical Notes if You’re Visiting or Writing About It

If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth checking current local listings or the company’s online presence for up‑to‑date information on which physical locations are open, since some storefronts can change over time. Expect a broad mix of classic and experimental breads, usually with the chance to sample before committing, plus occasional specials like donuts or seasonal bakes depending on the store.

For an article or “Quick Scoop” style post, the key angles are the origin story in Maine, the distinctive name rooted in “when pigs fly,” the shift from founder‑run to new leadership, and the strong regional following built on creative, all‑natural breads. You can also highlight that, as of the mid‑2020s, the brand remains a recognizable artisan bread presence across New England grocery shelves and in several destination bakery shops that attract both locals and tourists.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.