I was not aware of the story behind Dave’s Killer Bread until I researched the brand, last week, for a post on Ethical Bargains. All I knew was that Dave was a long-haired dude who played guitar and was now making a range of healthy, organic sliced breads. I usually go to a local bakery for my bread but I’ve bought Dave’s bread and appreciate that it’s more substantial and made with better ingredients than most supermarket breads. But, even after trying the bread, I still wasn’t aware of the backstory.

Before rejoining his family’s bakery to form the brand Dave’s Killer Bread, Dave had spent a good chunk of his life in prison.

Dave of Dave’s Killer Bread is Dave Dahl – he grew up working in his family’s bakery, but his struggles with depression and addiction led him to a series of crime, where he ended up serving 15 years in prison. After receiving early release, he came back to the bakery and invented what’s now Dave’s Killer Bread. – Dave’s personal website

Now a big part of the company ethos is to give others a second chance after time in prison.

The second chances program at Dave’s Killer Bread

At Dave’s Killer Bread, we believe in Second Chance Employment: hiring the best person for the job, regardless of criminal history. For nearly 20 years, Dave’s Killer Bread has actively hired people with criminal backgrounds, giving people a second chance to turn their lives around.

You can read more about the Second Chances program, including stories of many of the employees, on the Dave’s Killer Bread site. Here are a few snippets:

I started using drugs and got kicked out of my house when I was still in high school. I somehow managed to still graduate on time, but I got in this vicious circle of driving on a suspended license. Between that and selling drugs to do drugs, I always got caught. I went to prison twice. It was just a nightmare.  – Jamey, maintenance engineer, Dave’s Killer Bread.

I didn’t want help. Addiction took over my soul. Everything I thought mattered didn’t – not my family, not my kid, not my career, nothing. It got to the point where I even began to hate my addiction. At that point, I hated everything. It was like, “What’s left?” I was tired. I was just so tired. I asked to go to treatment and I sat in jail until there was a bed open. It was a rocky start but then I surrendered, got out of my own way. I had to learn how to deal with my emotions and acceptance. How to get over the anger I have and how to be honest again. – Elizabeth, stock specialist / community outreach.

Just because we’ve made mistakes in our past doesn’t mean that we’re going to continue to make the same mistakes. When felons put themselves out there and apply for a job they’re already so vulnerable, just having that opportunity for an interview is a huge step for encouragement. – Emily, assistant supervisor.

Now at Dave’s, I am a distribution manager with about 20 people on my team. When I get an applicant who has had some trouble in the past, I have the opportunity to look at it in a different view. Just to know people here have been through something that you’ve been through is enough to give you strength. I have an opportunity to give them a chance, and the ability to give time, respect and understanding to help them through. – Drew, distribution manager.

Dave’s Killer Bread was acquired by Flowers Foods in 2015 but with the provision that it will remain an independent subsidiary. The second chance program continues, and hopefully has expanded to the other Flowers Foods brands.

Our flagship Dave’s Killer Bread bakery in Milwaukie, Ore., is one of our biggest advocates for second chance employment – with nearly 40% of team members hired through the bakery’s second chance initiatives. – Flowers Foods 2023 CSR report.

I ended up scoring Dave’s Killer Bread 4.5 out of 5 Green Stars. I was actually reviewing the company’s new line of organic snacks and protein bars, which I thought were pretty killer. Check out that post if interested to learn more.

Nationwide second chances programs

I first became aware of the idea of second chances programs from the Delancey Street Foundation – a San Francisco nonprofit that provides rehabilitation services and training programs for substance abusers and convicted criminals. The nonprofit runs various businesses to provide employment opportunities, from Christmas tree sales to its highly-regarded restaurant. Nonprofits like Delancey Street have helped normalize this process and now there are quite a few companies participating in second chance programs.

The Second Chance Business Coalition (SCBC) has a surprisingly long list of well-known member corporations, from Bank of America and Gap Inc. to United Airlines and Microsoft.  For JP Morgan Chase, one of these companies, 10% of its new hires have a criminal background. Here’s how JP Morgan describes the benefits for the economy:

Over 600,000 people are released each year from prison and there are roughly 5 million formerly incarcerated people in the U.S. with an unemployment rate estimated at 27 percent, which is significantly higher than the national unemployment rate. Leaving this many people out of the workforce weakens the economy and contributes to financial insecurity. – JP Morgan Chase

Second chances programs can make a real difference, so look out for companies that support them. It turns out that there are effective and humane ways to make society better (again) after all.