Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom. From our beginning struggles to striving after a diagnosis, we can all relate and help each other out by sharing what we’ve learned and our unique personal journeys.
I am excited to introduce you to Jessica Mindell of Jessica's Natural Foods on today's Freedom Feature! You may know them for their delicious gluten-free granolas and fun fruity syrups, but they also recently came out with a line of baking mixes! If you haven't heard of them, I know you will fall in love with Jessica's after you read their story!
background: who are you?
I'm married and have two young kids (my daughter is 5 ½ and my son is 2). I have an engineering background but a passion for baking and healthy eating. Nothing makes me happier than tinkering with new recipes in my kitchen.
what led you to start Jessica's Natural Foods?
About 10 years ago my husband realized that he's gluten intolerant. He had bad eczema and read that a non-gluten diet could help. He cut it out and found that his stomach felt so much better! He always thought having excruciating stomach pains periodically was normal until he eliminated gluten and felt so much better. I loved to bake and he loved granola. At the time there were no gluten-free oat based granolas so I started making it for him. Friends and family loved it and I decided to try selling it. It's hard to believe that I'm going on my 8th year on business this May!
what are the foundations, values, and mission of your company?
It's extremely important to me to make simple delicious food. I created all the recipes in my home kitchen. I want to create food that's real and that someone would make at home.
I believe in using only the highest quality ingredients. All of our products are non-GMO. My granola, flour blend and mixes are non-GMO project verified and my syrups are certified organic.
We also take gluten-free very seriously. Our granola is handmade in small batches in a dedicated gluten-free bakery. We also use certified gluten-free oats and we test a batch from every production run for the presence of gluten.
I also believe in giving back. We donate 5% of our profits to various non-profits. Last year we donated to the Celiac Disease Foundation, Gleaners, Forgotten Harvest, Environmental Working Group, Animal Welfare Group and the Whole Planet Foundation. I'm really proud to be able to support these wonderful organizations.
tell us about your products and what makes them unique?
We make 6 delicious flavors of certified gluten-free granola. It contains wholesome ingredients like ground flaxseed and coconut. Our granola has a wonderful flavor and crunch. It also has large clusters which makes it great for snacking right out of the bag.
In 2013, we launched a line of organic flavored syrups (strawberry and vanilla syrup). My daughter didn't like plain milk so she was the inspiration behind these products. They're delicious in milk, coffee, iced tea, on pancakes, oatmeal, ice cream and yogurt.
I just launched a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and three mixes. I love these products because it contains a healthy blend of flours. We use ancient grain teff flour which is high in protein, fiber, iron and rich in amino acids. Our all-purpose flour blend can be used as a 1-for-1 substitute for white flour in any recipe. It's great because it's gluten-free and healthier than traditional white flour - it has 3 grams of fiber and protein per serving. It also doesn't contain any rice ingredients.
what’s your favorite or most popular item(s)?
We launched our granola 8 years ago and that's definitely our most popular products, especially our vanilla maple granola. It has light clusters and is delicious sprinkled on yogurt or by the handful.
what do you hope to see in the future; for yourself, the business, and the gluten-free/food allergy community?
Make sure to follow along with Jessica and Jessica's Natural Foods on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Thank you, Jessica!
So tell me:
+ What products are you excited to try?
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mainy
They all look yummy to me:)
Mainy
april
I really want to try the cherry almond granola! Sounds so yummy!
julie
I would love them all, but especially the muffin mix
priya
i love that she decided to make some more natural syrups! 🙂 i want to try the flour mix, and any of the granolas!
Katie R
I would want to try the vanilla syrup because I love vanilla and this sounds like a great product.
Jessica Unangst
I would love to try her granola! I miss a good GF granola!
Agness of Run Agness Run
These foods are amazing! So glad I read your post which is very educational, Rebecca!
Christine Lee
I would love to try the chocolate cake mix.
Becca Z
I want to try the vanilla syrup in pretty much EVERYTHING! I love naturals and organics, thanks for introducing me to Jessica's Natural Foods!
Farrah
I've heard awesome things about Jessica's Natural Foods! That's so awesome that they donate their some of their profits to support awesome causes! :] Gotta love amazing companies who give back! I wanna try their strawberry syrup! :]
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! More reasons to support and love!
Tara Pittman
I would love the granola in my yogurt.
Patricia
I would LOVE to try the chocolate cake.
Melissa
I am so excited to try the chocolate granola! Thank you for posting the story about Jessica and her wonderful company and products!
Steph
I'm excited to try the chocolate chip granola
Steph
I love granola
Kelly M.
The granola looks amazing! I would love to try it!
Jennifer
I love that you shared the story behind the company! The granola sounds really good.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is fabulous!
Jen
I would love to try the muffin mix. I have been searching for one I really enjoy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This one is fantastic!
Alisa Fleming
I can't believe I hadn't heard of this brand before! Since the granolas are so popular, I'd probably want to try those first, but the syrups have me intrigued!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are great!
Sammi Ricke
I am SO excited to try the syrups!! It is so difficult to find healthy syrups...that I don't have to make! Ha! What an awesome giveaway. Thank you!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Who doesn't love a glass of strawberry milk!
Nicole Dawson
What a great story to share! Sounds like an awesome company, although I haven't seen it in our neck of the woods.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Nor have I, but when do we ever get good allergy-friendly food not online!
Gena
Love Jessica's products. Looking forward to trying the baking mixes soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You won't be disappointed!
Heather LaRoy
I am so excited to try the muffin mix! We love Jessica's granola already ❤
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! I was so excited to see the new mixes!
Kortney
Love how this company grew and how it was inspired by the needs and likes of he family. Awesome that they take gluten free so seriously and batch test!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just what we need in a world of unsafe oats!
Mary
Wow! it was pretty interesting reading bout this company and the inspiration behind this brand. Thanks for sharing Rebecca.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for reading, Mary!
Julia Mueller
What a cool company! With so many food product companies out there, I always love hearing the background to differentiate them and feel a better connection with the product. This is the first I've heard of Jessica's Natural Foods...definitely going to check them out (particularly the Vanilla Maple Granola!!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Me too! It's the small family-owned companies that are the best!