What started as a desire to replace the high-sugar granola bars that Sharon DiRusso's family enjoyed with a healthier option has resulted in the launch of Sharon's Granola. Fast forward a few years and DiRusso is making 50 bars and 80 bags of granola a week, with other specialties, including a vegan organic peanut butter cup.
Her initial investment of $4,000 has long been paid off and she is now researching commercial kitchen space so she can relocate out of her home in Derry.
I love seeing other people enjoy what I'm making, says DiRusso as she peels apples from Mac's Apples in Londonderry for a custom-made granola for the orchard. Her kitchen is filled with the aromas of caramel and apple. To know someone else sees I'm doing this for healthy reasons, that's what makes it satisfying to me, DiRusso says. She started baking after being laid off as a nurse recruiter. After giving granola to her husband's colleagues, they suggested she sell it.
DiRusso's products are all organic, made with vegan chocolate, brown crisp rice, chia seeds, brown rice syrup, organic peanut butter and gluten-free rolled oats. She sells 10 types of granola and four granola bar flavors. Her top sellers are peanut butter chocolate chip bars and toasted pineapple coconut granola. Bars sell for $3 and granola costs $8 for a 10-oz bag.
Most of her sales are made at farmer's markets, or from contacts there, though she hopes a new website will increase online orders. During the summer she traveled to four farmer's markets a week, and will continue with the winter markets. Mac's Apples orders about 30 bags of granola a week and provides her with their own apples and pears. Unlike most granola, Sharon's Granola uses fresh fruit and has a 30-day shelf life. I love going to farmer's markets, talking to people, getting their opinion, and they always walk away with something, she says.
For more information, visit sharonsgranolabar.com.
Current Issue - April 2024