Bucket of Bread Press & Media
Welcome to the official Bucket of Bread Press & Media hub. Explore our journey from a Veteran-owned startup to a nationally recognized artisan brand celebrated for quality, mission and community impact.
From Army combat deployments to the winner’s circle of Wisconsin’s premier pitch shows, Bucket of Bread is a veteran-owned social enterprise proving that premium organic quality can directly fuel the fight against food insecurity.
Major Features and National Recognition
Our Bucket of Bread Press & Media coverage high-profile partnerships that validate our commitment to excellence.
- Project Pitch It (Top Prize Winner): Chris Wysong of Bucket of Bread was named a Top Prize Winner in Season 8, Episode 7, of Project Pitch It, Wisconsin’s premier entrepreneurial pitch show. Bucket of Bread won the prestigious “Peg Ann & David Gruber Award” ($10,000). The broadcast aired across major ABC and CBS affiliates throughout the state, the program features the region’s most innovative startups competing for mentorship and capital.
- The Blox (Season 15): Chris Wysong of Bucket of Bread was selected from thousands of applicants to compete in Season 15 of The Blox, the largest live-in entrepreneurship competition in the world. Hosted by MTV legend and business strategist Wes Bergmann, this national docu-series is a high-stakes, week-long “entrepreneurial gauntlet” designed to test every facet of a startup’s viability.
– Stream The Blox Feature - Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: Selected for the Verizon Business Digital Ready Training Camp Program. Bucket of Bread gained access to mentorship from industry titans, including legendary football champion and entrepreneur Drew Brees, and fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk, the creative force behind Off Season. The camp featured expert-led panels, hands-on workshops at Verizon’s Innovation Lab, and networking opportunities at Levi’s Stadium.
– Official Announcement
– News Spotlight - CanvasRebel & Bold Journey – National Founder Features: From the frontlines of a 20-year Army career to the helm of a rising social enterprise, founder Chris Wysong has been recognized by national editorial platforms for his unique brand of “Baking with a Purpose.” These features in CanvasRebel and Bold Journey showcase a leader who translated military precision into a scalable organic brand. Dive into these in-depth profiles to discover how global service and a commitment to fighting food insecurity created the vision behind Bucket of Bread.
– The Story of Bucket of Bread
– Resilience and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Wisconsin Press and Success Stories
As a proud “Something Special from Wisconsin” member brand, Bucket of Bread has been a recurring highlight in Wisconsin news for its unique “Baking with a Purpose” mission and rapid growth within the Coulee Region. Our Bucket of Bread Press & Media archives highlight our deep roots in the Coulee Region of the state.
- News 8 Now WKBT (La Crosse): A “Made Right Here” segment showcasing the production of the organic baking kits and their roots in military history and “Local Entrepreneur creates tasty way to give back.”
– Watch “Made Right Here”
– Watch Reporter Emily Brown’s Interview - La Crosse Tribune: A Tribune article exploring how Chris Wysong’s global military service sparked a unique culinary vision. See the journey from Army veteran to local business innovator.
– Read the La Crosse Tribune Feature - Badger Institute: A nonpartisan, not-for-profit research, journalism and advocacy organization featured how Bucket of Bread serves as a model for innovation and social impact in the Wisconsin business landscape.
– Read the Badger Institute Profile - WXOW News 19 (La Crosse): Serving Up Innovation
News 19 has followed the Bucket of Bread journey through multiple features, highlighting the company’s unique “just add water” organic kits and its deep-rooted commitment to the local community.
– La Crosse Business in the running for Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin
– 10th Annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin - BizTimes Milwaukee: Following a high-stakes broadcast, this BizTimes article profiles Chris Wysong’s major victory. See the strategy that secured the competition’s top prize as presented on TV.
– Read the BizTimes Milwaukee Winner Spotlight - Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation: The WWBIC spotlights Chris Wysong as a powerhouse of veteran entrepreneurship. Read about the grit required to build a mission-driven social enterprise from the ground up.
– Read the WWBIC Veteran Success Feature
Podcasts & In-Depth Interviews
Bucket of Bread has been featured across a wide range of national platforms, regional broadcasts, and industry-leading podcasts. While our journey has taken us from prime-time television stages to deep-dive business interviews, the following highlights represent the core of our story. These selections showcase the intersection of Veteran leadership, national competition, and our unwavering commitment to organic quality and social impact.
- The Story of a Brand: A deep dive into the technical side of organic baking and building a mission-driven startup. Dive into the logistics of social entrepreneurship and the technical evolution of the “just add water” recipe.
– Listen to The Story of a Brand Interview
- Coulee Region Cooks: A regional favorite highlighting the brand’s pivot from its original buckets to retail-ready box kits. Explore how the brand has evolved to meet national pantry needs while maintaining its deep community roots.
– Listen to the Coulee Region Cooks Feature - Warrior Rising: Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight: A high-energy feature exploring Chris Wysong’s transition from a 20-year Army career to a national business visionary. Discover the mindset and resilience required to build a brand focused on fighting food insecurity.
– Watch the Warrior Rising Feature
Media Assets & Contact
Media Kit: Download High-Res Logos, Founder Photos, and Product Shots through this Google Shared Drive.
Press Contact: Chris Wysong | Email Inquiries | 1-844-627-3237
About Bucket of Bread:
Bucket of Bread is a Veteran-owned, certified organic brand based in Wisconsin, specializing in high-quality “just add water” baking kits. Founded by 20-year Army veteran Chris Wysong, the company is built on the mission of “Baking with a Purpose,” donating 10% of all profits to organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity in America.
