Via Rutkowski 
It’s hard to top the undeniable joy that comes from biting into a loaf of fresh bread, especially sourdough. While we all remember the sourdough bread baking craze of the pandemic times, one Jersey City couple decided to take a simple hobby to the next level. What began as a quarantine activity later transformed into a community-rooted micro-bakery called Sourdough Society, which is now serving some of the most sought-after loaves in Jersey City. Read on to learn more about the Sourdough Society and how it all started.
Photo Credit: Sourdough Society
How It Started
Sophie and Giota spent their careers working in corporate America until one day they were both faced with layoffs. What began as a difficult chapter gave the two some much-needed downtime to pause, reflect, and think about what they truly wanted for themselves. During this time off, Giota decided to reignite an old pandemic hobby: baking sourdough bread. As the baking continued, Sophie began wondering if there could be potential to sell Giota’s creations. So, on a complete whim, she listed Giota’s sourdough on Facebook Marketplace, and it took off, telling HG, “To our surprise, people started ordering. They loved it. The positive feedback and repeat requests gave us a sign that we might be onto something. What started as a way to make a little side income quickly grew into something bigger.”
Photo Credit: Sourdough Society
As the requests came pouring in, the official “aha” moment arose. Giota and Sophie decided it was time to keep things going, build a website, form an LLC, and turn their passion into a real business. In January 2025, Sourdough Society was born.
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Behind the Name
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The name Sourdough Society came from Sophie and Giota’s passion for connection, creativity, and community. This is more than just bread. “Society speaks to our desire to bring people together through sourdough, starting right here in Hudson County and reaching across New Jersey,” they told HG.
The art of cooking and sharing food runs deep for both Sophie and Giota. Giota comes from a Greek family that has roots within the food industry. From watching her family run diners, Mr. Softee Trucks, and even an ice cream shop, Giota grew up understanding the ins and outs of running a food-based business and is endlessly inspired by memories of her Yia Yia during their time together in Greece. Sophie also shared on Sourdough Society’s Instagram how thinking about this brand sparks memories of the generations that came before them, especially her Bubby’s inspiring story and memorable Jewish and Mexican recipes, saying in a touching Instagram video that “it’s not just food, it’s family, it’s tradition, it’s legacy”. Ultimately, Sourdough Society is a story of love, heritage, and wholesome, healthy bread.
The Ingredients
Photo Credit: Sourdough Society
At Sourdough Society, organic, trusted ingredients are at the foundation of it all. Giota and Sophie’s sourdough loaves are made from four simple ingredients: organic bread flour, organic sea salt, homemade starter (levain), and filtered water. That’s it. Committing to simple, intentional quality allows Sourdough Society to operate without preservatives, which are often found in standard supermarket breads.
Every single loaf is crafted with thorough care and begins with a naturally fermented, homemade starter (levain) that is fed hours prior to baking. After that, it is mixed with the organic bread flour and filtered water, and then left to rest. Next comes the sea salt and the bulk fermentation, which incorporates hand-folding the sourdough over the course of several hours. Then, once the dough has risen, each loaf is shaped and placed in the fridge overnight for further fermentation. The next day, the loaves make their way into a hot oven cozied up inside cast-iron Dutch ovens, and then left to cool to finalize the process before heading out to customers.
Ordering Bread
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Sourdough Society offers local delivery to select zip codes throughout the Hudson County area. It also has convenient pick-up locations or an option for 1-2 day shipping across New Jersey. Customers can simply visit the website and choose which delivery method is best for them. The bread is baked fresh from Wednesday through Saturday. If you’re a local who would like to experience Sourdough Society in person, you can catch Sophie and Giota in Jersey City at the Coles Street Farmers Market through November. Be sure to follow along on Instagram to catch more pop-ups and partnerships coming soon.
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