Beckmann’s Old World Bakery was founded by Peter Beckmann in November 1985. Son of a craftsman family, he apprenticed in bread-making at Mantei Bakery in Heidelberg, Germany. After moving to the United States, Peter had a longing for the traditional breads of his home country. He baked the first commercial loaves in his kitchen oven and hand-delivered samples on his bicycle to four local Santa Cruz grocery stores. This was the start of a bakery that to this day honors the German commitm
Beckmann’s Old World Bakery was founded by Peter Beckmann in November 1985. Son of a craftsman family, he apprenticed in bread-making at Mantei Bakery in Heidelberg, Germany. After moving to the United States, Peter had a longing for the traditional breads of his home country. He baked the first commercial loaves in his kitchen oven and hand-delivered samples on his bicycle to four local Santa Cruz grocery stores. This was the start of a bakery that to this day honors the German commitment to traditional artisan bread making.
In 2020, Beckmann's moved to a new Santa Cruz facility to better accommodate their continued growth. They employ 120 local residents and deliver over 15,000 fresh, high-quality, natural artisan breads daily to Northern California grocery stores. They also have a farmers market division serving 40 markets per week selling their breads, as well as fabulous cookies, pies and pastries.
