Inclusive Snacks

For many Canadian kids, school starts today. In fact, my son is attending his first day of French Immersion as I write this. While school brings new friends and teachers, homework, fresh topics and celebrations, it can also bring anxiety to kids and parents of children who suffer from food allergies. My mother-in-law, nephew and friend's son are all allergic to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and, along with peanuts, dairy and eggs, is an allergy source for myriad people.

Jill Robbins is a trained clinical psychologist who loved her job but decided to take on a new venture when her son was diagnosed with food allergies. Bradley is now 11 years old and HomeFree Treats (formally Gak's Snacks) is the now booming business that Robbins created. After identifying a need: children with food allergies should be able to enjoy daily snacks and special treats, Robbins is able to combine her desire to provide healthy, organic treats with a hole in the grocery market - people with food allergies. Most of Robbins' business comes from the U.S. where she is based but HomeFree ships their treats and cookbooks to Canada.

Here's a Q&A with Jill Robbins, mother and entrepreneur:

Q: Please tell me about your business.

A: "HomeFree Treats (formally Gak's Snacks) offers baked treats free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and dairy, and most people with wheat and soy allergies can enjoy them as well. Our treats are also certified organic, kosher pareve, and whole grain, and contain no cholesterol or trans fat. With our products, people with and without special dietary needs can enjoy the same delicious treats together. For bakers, we sell a cookbook: Allergen-Free Baking: Baked Treats for All Occasions as well as specialized allergen-tested baking ingredients."

Q: How does it feel to have your own business? What have you learned?

A: "I didn’t create this in order to have a business or to work for myself. I actually loved the work I was doing previously as a clinical psychologist. I created this business as a resource to families like my own because it was needed. But, it has been exciting and rewarding. I am learning diverse fields such as web site development, ingredient sourcing and inventory, equipment operation, graphic design, and shipping."

Q: What advice do you have for other mom or dad entrepreneurs?

A: "A new business is all-encompassing. It takes many times more time, money, and energy than I had ever imagined. But if you are at a point in your life when you can totally devote yourself and substantial financial resources to it, and if you cope with obstacles by problem solving (rather than anxiety), and if there is an idea about which you have passion, creating your own company can be wonderfully rewarding."

Q: Do you have plans to expand?

A: "Yes! In fact, we are planning to move into a larger facility this fall so that we have the capacity to distribute our baked treats much more widely. And we are just now introducing a new cookie flavour – organic oatmeal chocolate chip mini cookies."

To find out more about the treats, the raw ingredients or the allergen-free baking cookbook, visit Jill's web site or email info@homefreetreats.com.

Comments

[Leanne]

Neat!
I love it when Mom's go 'big'.

We have a 'no nut' policy at our school and now this, combined with the Maple Leaf sandwich meat recalls, has left me wondering what the heck I'm packing for school lunches when my trio go back this Thursday.

Sigh. How often can I send in bagels and cream cheese before the nutrition police get me?