The Bread Man: Porterville Bread at Centennial Park

On Thursday, April 9, at Centennial Park in Porterville artisan baker Matt Bell set up his kiosk to sell Porterville Bread (PB) loaves and bakery items around 3 p.m.

And customers started stopping by to pick up their orders. And steadily they kept on coming by until about 5:30 p.m. Bell figured he had about 51 customers during the afternoon, and he said he's gotten to know them in a little under a year he's operated his business, beginning in July 2025.

"The support from Porterville has been awesome and I've gotten to know my customers. I put my time and energy, and my heart into the bakery," Bell said, "And it's heartwarming to see it being received so well in the community."

Bell says his wife Rocio encouraged him to start the business after he started baking at home for the family. They've been married 19 years and have two children, Sofia and Josiah, in high school at Summit Collegiate High School, who are his favorite food critics.

Bell added tariffs that affected his previous job was a major reason why he began the business. “Tariffs are the reason I decided to become a baker,” he said. “The warehouse I worked for was drastically affected by tariffs. After I left that job, my family has been very supportive in helping me pursue a career as an artisan micro-baker.

There were all kinds of comments about the bread and bakery items throughout the afternoon on Thursday, April 9.

"It's really rich bread, not bromated," said a man who was familiar with the bread making process.

Two women who stopped by had bought bread before, but also made a point to get a six pack of cinnamon rolls. One of them said, "The bread was delicious, and I'm going to go home and make a BLT. It's got a nice texture and is aesthetically pleasing."

Bell made 62 loaves to sell on that Thursday, along with 47 cinnamon rolls, and 3 dozen packs of cookies. Besides his sourdough baguettes, he sold Sourdough Garlic and Rosemary Bread, Sourdough Lemon and Blueberry Bread, but he was out of the Sourdough Jalapeno and Cheese Bread that day.

Everything can be pre-ordered on his website, portervillebread.com, by phone, 559-542-6993 or in person at his bread-drop off on Thursdays at Centennial Park from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The schedule is posted on the website.

Porterville Bread is also sold at Stafford's Chocolates on Main Street. More information is also available at Instagram: portervillebread

Bell also takes his break to farmers markets on the weekend. “Thursdays are great days for the Bread Drop because customers have all the bread and goodies they need for the entire weekend,” he said. “As for Porterville Bread, Thursday Bread Drops allow us to prepare for and participate in weekend Farmers’ Markets since it takes at 2-3 days to mix and bake sourdough.”

His bread is made with a six-year-old starter. The sourdough is naturally leavened, and baked fresh.

Before the Thursday Bread-Drop began, Bell said he'd received 23 orders from customers. "This has just been great." He explained he began baking cookies when he was 7-years-old because he liked to eat them."

Since he began the business, he's had repeat customers, like he had as a kid.

"The bread is delicious, and you can taste the freshness. I really enjoyed it and the blueberry lemon is fabulous. Everything is great," said Jessica Ruiz.

"My favorite are the cinnamon rolls. But I appreciate it that he slices them now. Also the bread, that way you have some portion control. Don't eat it all in 2 settings!" said Lisa Grady with a laugh.

Everyone was drooling over the cinnamon rolls.

Amanda Pereira from Bank of America picked up her bread and bakery order, and said, "We love to support local-home-grown ingredients and businesses!"

"It's remarkable," said Brandon Lopez when he talked about the Garlic Rosemary Sourdough Bread and the Cinnamon Rolls. He works at Porterville College in Student Services and he recommended PB to his co-workers.

Roberto De La Rosa, Jr. who's an Adjunct Professor of Ethnic Studies at PC, said the bread is absolutely delicious. “The Rosemary Garlic is beautiful together with beer and cheese. And I had the Jalapeno Cheese Sourdough. I like that he is here every Thursday, and he's very friendly with a big smile."

Another gentleman said Porterville Bread goes together really well with coffee from the Café on Main St. close by, but also coffee from Staffords.

Bell said he was inspired by the company BreadBike, but commented as a baker he creates art from flavors, that's why they call it artisan bread. At Porterville Bread he'll make seasonal loafs, for the fall a Pumpkin Sourdough Loaf, or a Maple Tree Nut loaf, and in the summertime he'll make a Pesto Mozzarella Sun Dried Tomato Loaf.

Two sisters, Krizlilyn and Emily Balboa bought bread, and Emily said, "Oh My God, It's delicious. My mouth is watering."

"It's the best bread I've ever had. And we are experts on sourdough," said Krizlilyn. They asked Bell how to store the bread, and he said, "Slice it and freeze. It has no preservatives, so it can't be left out long."

Bell intends to be at the Springville Farmer's Market soon, and says he's really into supporting small businesses. "I really encourage people and small businesses, and micro-bakers, as long as they are making bread the right way."

Ashley Browne, owner of ABGO Massage Therapy in Springville said "It's really encouraging to see people bring health and wellness to this community through the love of baking."

Bell speaks fine Spanish and conversed readily with Spanish speaking customers as well as everyone else.

Jodie and Barry Winningham enthusiastically bought 5 loaves of bread, for themselves and as gifts for friends and family. They described it as wonderful bread and said they had no idea there was bread this good in Porterville. The added the bought many loaves at the Spring Festival and were greatly surprised by the texture and the flavor. They also said they want to keep Bell in business and it's great he's here.

Bell said he started baking bread for friends and family, now the Porterville community, and the wider area, including Springville and Visalia.

"This is something I care about and people recognize that," he said.

He enjoyed meeting retired Porterville High Panther Band Director Jim Kusserow, and said he met Porterville Mayor Greg Meister, who has bought his bread. "It's cool to meet everyone in the community.”

Bell said he was also told he's the first licensed sidewalk food vendor in Porterville. He said the process of obtaining the license included getting a Cottage Food License from Tulare County Environmental Health; Taking a Food Handlers’ training and passing the test to get a license; Getting a Peddler’s Permit from the Porterville Police Department; Getting a business license from City of Porterville; and Getting a Sidewalk Food Vendor license from City of Porterville

The Bread Man: Porterville Bread at Centennial Park

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