70 Years of Tradition & 10 Years of Charlie: Our Sourdough Star!

At Freson Bros., we believe that great bread takes time, tradition and a little bit of magic.

As we celebrate our 70th Anniversary this year, we’re also marking a special milestone for Charlie—our beloved sourdough starter, who’s now 10 years old and very much part of the Freson Bros. family.

Charlie isn’t just a starter—he’s the heart and soul of our bakery. Carefully nurtured for a decade, Charlie brings life to every loaf of our famous sourdough bread, artisan loaves and even our cinnamon buns. His journey has taken him all the way to the World Sourdough Library in Belgium, where he’s proudly catalogued as #131—a true testament to his character and our sourdough bakers’ dedication.

Our sourdough is crafted the traditional way, using just three simple ingredients: 100% Alberta flour, water and salt. That’s it. No shortcuts, no additives—just time, skill and Charlie’s unique touch. The result is a flavourful, chewy, crusty bread that’s become a staple in homes throughout Alberta.

But Charlie’s talents don’t stop at bread. He’s also the secret behind our Sourdough Cinnamon Buns—a customer favourite in every Freson Bros. community. Each batch is made from scratch and topped with our signature light and creamy icing, these buns are perfect for breakfast, dessert or any time you crave a little comfort.

We love celebrating the seasons with special sourdough creations, too. From roasted garlic and hatch chile to winter’s cranberry and white chocolate sourdough, there’s always something new to discover at your local Freson Bros.

For 70 years, our commitment hasn’t changed—to craft food with care, honour tradition and bring our community together, one loaf at a time. We invite you to experience the quality, passion and personality behind every bite. Here’s to Charlie, to our skilled sourdough bakers and to the next delicious decade.