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Freedom Feature: Jessica Mindell “Jessica’s Natural Foods”

April 20, 2017 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 37 Comments

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.

The Freedom Feature | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Sharing our stories to food allergy freedom

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!

Freedom Feature Jessica Mindell "Jessica's Natural Foods" | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom.

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background: who are you?

I’m married and have two young kids (my daughter is 5 1/2 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!

Freedom Feature Jessica Mindell "Jessica's Natural Foods" | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom.

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.

Freedom Feature Jessica Mindell "Jessica's Natural Foods" | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom.

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.

Freedom Feature Jessica Mindell "Jessica's Natural Foods" | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Connecting the celiac disease and food allergy/intolerance community together by sharing our stories to food freedom.

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?

I hope to continue to come out with new and innovative gluten-free products.  I think there’s been a lot of changes to the gluten-free market over the past 8 years and it’s exciting to see more healthy options become available.
any favorite recipes you’d like to share?
Yes! I have two favorite recipes!  I have an easy fruit crisp recipe that I make all the time.  It’s so easy and tastes delicious! Another one of my favorite recipes is my granola crust. It’s so good! It tastes like a graham cracker crust and can be used as a crust substitute in any recipe.

Jessica was kind enough to offer 3 winners their choice of any 1 flavor of granola, any 1 flavor of syrup, and any 1 mix or flour blend. 3 items per winner! Enter with the Rafflecopter below (US only and I will contact the winners directly).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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Filed Under: Freedom Feature Tagged With: Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Food Allergies, Food Allergy, Freedom Feature, Gluten-Free, Jessica Mindell, Jessica's Natural Foods

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Comments

  1. mainy says

    April 28, 2017 at 7:43 am

    They all look yummy to me:)
    Mainy

    Reply
  2. april says

    April 26, 2017 at 11:05 pm

    I really want to try the cherry almond granola! Sounds so yummy!

    Reply
  3. julie says

    April 26, 2017 at 6:42 pm

    I would love them all, but especially the muffin mix

    Reply
  4. priya says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:28 pm

    i love that she decided to make some more natural syrups! 🙂 i want to try the flour mix, and any of the granolas!

    Reply
  5. Katie R says

    April 25, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    I would want to try the vanilla syrup because I love vanilla and this sounds like a great product.

    Reply
  6. Jessica Unangst says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:21 am

    I would love to try her granola! I miss a good GF granola!

    Reply
  7. Agness of Run Agness Run says

    April 24, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    These foods are amazing! So glad I read your post which is very educational, Rebecca!

    Reply
  8. Christine Lee says

    April 24, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    I would love to try the chocolate cake mix.

    Reply
  9. Becca Z says

    April 24, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    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!

    Reply
  10. Farrah says

    April 24, 2017 at 8:17 am

    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! :]

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 24, 2017 at 10:40 am

      I know! More reasons to support and love!

      Reply
  11. Tara Pittman says

    April 23, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    I would love the granola in my yogurt.

    Reply
  12. Patricia says

    April 23, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    I would LOVE to try the chocolate cake.

    Reply
  13. Melissa says

    April 23, 2017 at 11:59 am

    I am so excited to try the chocolate granola! Thank you for posting the story about Jessica and her wonderful company and products!

    Reply
  14. Steph says

    April 23, 2017 at 10:07 am

    I’m excited to try the chocolate chip granola

    Reply
  15. Steph says

    April 22, 2017 at 11:25 pm

    I love granola

    Reply
  16. Kelly M. says

    April 22, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    The granola looks amazing! I would love to try it!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer says

    April 22, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    I love that you shared the story behind the company! The granola sounds really good.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 22, 2017 at 4:45 pm

      It is fabulous!

      Reply
  18. Jen says

    April 22, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    I would love to try the muffin mix. I have been searching for one I really enjoy!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 22, 2017 at 4:45 pm

      This one is fantastic!

      Reply
  19. Alisa Fleming says

    April 22, 2017 at 12:15 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 22, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      They are great!

      Reply
  20. Sammi Ricke says

    April 22, 2017 at 9:16 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 22, 2017 at 10:46 am

      Who doesn’t love a glass of strawberry milk!

      Reply
  21. Nicole Dawson says

    April 21, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    What a great story to share! Sounds like an awesome company, although I haven’t seen it in our neck of the woods.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 21, 2017 at 4:31 pm

      Nor have I, but when do we ever get good allergy-friendly food not online!

      Reply
  22. Gena says

    April 21, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Love Jessica’s products. Looking forward to trying the baking mixes soon.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 21, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      You won’t be disappointed!

      Reply
  23. Heather LaRoy says

    April 21, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    I am so excited to try the muffin mix! We love Jessica’s granola already ❤

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 21, 2017 at 12:25 pm

      Fantastic! I was so excited to see the new mixes!

      Reply
  24. Kortney says

    April 21, 2017 at 7:42 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 21, 2017 at 8:24 am

      Just what we need in a world of unsafe oats!

      Reply
  25. Mary says

    April 20, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Wow! it was pretty interesting reading bout this company and the inspiration behind this brand. Thanks for sharing Rebecca.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 20, 2017 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks for reading, Mary!

      Reply
  26. Julia Mueller says

    April 20, 2017 at 9:29 am

    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!!)

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 20, 2017 at 11:24 am

      Me too! It’s the small family-owned companies that are the best!

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!


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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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