Meet the Producer: Jeff Cohen

Foodspring: gateway to food adventure
March 15, 2011

Jeff Cohen
Owner, Granola Gourmet

As a type 2 diabetic, Jeff Cohen was frustrated by a lack of snacks that wouldn’t cause a blood sugar spike but also tasted good. To fill the void, he started Granola Gourmet with his family, creating a line of energy bars that would meet the needs of diabetics, as well as athletes and health-conscious consumers. He made each bar with 100 percent natural and wholesome ingredients, all with low glycemic impact so they convert to sugar more slowly

What began in his kitchen at home quickly turned into a hit. His teenagers started getting requests for new flavors from their friends; soon after, he began selling to caterers on television show and movie sets. Designed to satisfy a sweet tooth, the bars have no refined sugar nor the fat and sodium content of other popular protein and energy bars. They are available in flavors like Ultimate Berry, Mocha Fudge, Chocolate Espresso and Spiced Orange Cranberry. They provide such an energy boost that a group of 18 climbers brought Granola Gourmet energy bars to eat for their meals and snacks during an eight-day climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. To learn more about his business, look for Cohen on ABC’s Shark Tank, which will air later this year.

 

Cohen shared more of his story with us:


How did you get involved with supporting the Mt. Kilimanjaro trek?
I think we all have an athlete within, and when I went on my journey to make a great-tasting low-glycemic snack I knew it would appeal to all types of athletes, from casual walkers to marathon runners and those adventurous enough to climb the 19,298 feet of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In our humble beginnings making bars for customers at local farmers markets and selling to caterers, I had no idea people would rely on our product for sustenance and energy to make the huge climb. We were approached by a local group out of Santa Clarita, Calif., made up of committed hikers that knew they needed our product for the journey. We were excited to be able to participate in the effort that took place more than 10,000 miles away.

Did the hikers eat your granola bars at the summit?
They ate the bars all the way up the mountain and commented that the guides loved the bars as well. They took pictures of our sign at the top. Definitely one of the high points in our company!

What is the most challenging or satisfying part of your job?
The most satisfying part of our job is when we attend the American Diabetes Expo every year in Los Angeles. Diabetics and their families swarm our booth and find our healthy diabetic-friendly bars taste great. It’s particularly rewarding to see my two teenage sons talking to the attendees about how their diabetic father came up with a product that they love. We can never stock enough product for the show and sell out every year.

Do you have a favorite flavor from your line?
I love the fruit flavors but can finally enjoy the chocolate ones without blood sugar concerns. My favorite is the Chocolate Espresso in our original recipe line and Ultimate Mocha Fudge from our new line of individually wrapped bars. They’re great in the morning when I need to rush out of the house without my cup of coffee.

If someone could shadow you for one day at your job, what would surprise that person most?
How much time I spend talking with people. I’m sharing my experiences for hours every day. Thank goodness I have an unlimited cell phone plan!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
My dad was a corporate guy who was very successful. He taught us that no matter what you did, do it for others. Today I know that the more people I can help, the more successful I will be. I guess I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, whether that was working for others or myself, as I do today.

Aside from your products, what three food items can you always find in your kitchen?
You can always find apples, lemons from our tree, and although it’s not technically food, we make some great meals in our wok.

New Products

Vitamin Retailer
January 2011

Ultimate Energy Bars

SANTA CLARITA, CA—Granola Gourmet Ultimate Energy Bars are 100 percent natural and contain 10-12g of whole grains and 530-590mg of omega-3. For those with other dietary requirements, these energy bars (MSRP $1.69) are natural, free of wheat and dairy, contain no refined sugar, and are kosher, vegan and very low in sodium (15-35mg).

Products For Diabetics Finally Taste Good

by Sheldon Baker
NutraInk
November 19, 2010

 

Products for Diabetics Finally Taste Good

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 23 million diabetics in the U.S., and another 40 million people with pre-diabetes and other blood sugar issues. The CDC projects that 1 in 3 people could have diabetes by the year 2050.

Jeff Cohen has been a diabetic since 1993. He was frustrated while trying to find a snack that didn’t cause a blood sugar spike and also tasted good. He finally decided to create his own, and his company Granola Gourmet was born to solve the problem.

From humble beginnings in his family kitchen, the meal replacement bars were made in small batches using organic ingredients and became a weekly family tradition. His teenage boys began getting requests for new flavors from their friends. The cast and crew of Hollywood television shows from The Ellen Show, The Mentalist, Entourage and others on the Warner Bros. lot and CBS-TV began buying the bars. Soon they became the healthiest product on the Craft Services table catering to the motion picture industry. And Granola Gourmet became a local family-owned business success.

“…you’ll find our energy bar products priced the same or less than many of the bars that are not healthy…”

Jeff Cohen, Founder
Granola Gourmet

Cohen’s company has just introduced what it calls its Ultimate line of individually wrapped energy bars replying to consumer and grocer requests for natural portable snack items. The individually wrapped bars also respond to consumer demand for 100% natural grab-and-go snacks that don’t spike blood sugar. Made entirely in the U.S., the bars come in four flavors.

According to Cohen, as demand for diabetic food items becomes mainstream, many national retail and grocery store chains are expanding their healthy and natural product lines.

“While Granola Gourmet Ultimate Energy Bars are designed to satisfy your sweet tooth, the bars do not have refined sugar or the fat and sodium content of other popular protein and energy bars in its formulation,” explains Cohen.

“As a Type 2 diabetic, I wanted to create a product that is healthy, tasty and filling that could meet the needs of diabetics, as well as athletes and health conscious consumers.”

But is healthy food too expensive?

“Not anymore,” says Cohen. “Organic ingredients have come way down in price. We are seeing small differences in the cost of many of the organic ingredients we acquire today. In our case, you’ll find our energy bar products priced the same or less than many of the bars that are not healthy,” Cohen notes.

This is the first time consumers will have the opportunity to purchase Granola Gourmet’s individually wrapped bars or in a caddy of 10. Ultimate Berry with blueberries, Ultimate Fudge Brownie with a nutty texture, Ultimate Mocha Fudge with a chocolaty base and touch of coffee flavor and aroma and Ultimate Cran-Orange make up the Ultimate selection.

Granola Gourmet bars contains 10-12g whole grains and 530-590mg of omega-3. For those with other dietary requirements, the bars are free of wheat and dairy, low in sodium, and are kosher and vegan.

Santa Clarita, CA-based Granola Gourmet also uses Low Glycemic Index ingredients. Low Glycemic foods provide longer periods of sustained energy, hunger relief and reduces the risk of experiencing blood sugar spikes. As a result, Granola Gourmet bars convert to sugar more slowly.

In Northern California, Safeway and Vons are carrying the products. The nationwide grocery chain launch is supported by a giveaway rebate offer that enables customers to receive free Granola Gourmet Energy Bars in exchange for proof of purchase. For more information about Granola Gourmet visit www.granolagourmet.com.

In a sea of energy bars, customers have found Granola Gourmet products are 100% natural and formulated with several organic ingredients.

“When I think about our brand two words come to mind, healthy and delicious,” says Cohen. “When Whole Foods in Southern California began carrying our product line I knew we had something and decided to put extra effort into the business. Today, we are expanding and excited about the future,” Cohen says, with a big smile.

Products for diabetics finally taste good

by Sheldon Baker
examiner.com
November 19, 2010

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 23 million diabetics in the U.S., and another 40 million people with pre-diabetes and other blood sugar issues. The CDC projects that 1 in 3 people could have diabetes by the year 2050.

Jeff Cohen has been a diabetic since 1993. He was frustrated while trying to find a snack that didn’t cause a blood sugar spike and also tasted good. He finally decided to create his own, and his company Granola Gourmet was born to solve the problem.

From humble beginnings in his family kitchen, the meal replacement bars were made in small batches using many organic ingredients and became a weekly family tradition. His teenage boys began getting requests for new flavors from their friends. The cast and crew of Hollywood television shows from The Ellen ShowThe MentalistEntourage and others on the Warner Bros. lot and CBS-TV began buying the bars. Soon they became the healthiest product on the Craft Services table catering to the motion picture industry. And Granola Gourmet became a local family-owned business success.

Cohen’s company has just introduced what it calls its Ultimate line of individually wrapped energy bars replying to consumer and grocer requests for natural portable snack items. The individually wrapped bars are also responding to consumer demand for 100% natural grab-and-go snacks that don’t spike blood sugar. Made entirely in the U.S., the bars come in four flavors.

According to Cohen, as demand for diabetic food items becomes mainstream, many national retail and grocery store chains are expanding their healthy and natural product lines.

“While Granola Gourmet Ultimate Energy Bars are designed to satisfy your sweet tooth, the bars do not have refined sugar or the fat and sodium content of other popular protein and energy bars in its formulation,” explains Cohen.

“As a Type 2 diabetic, I wanted to create a product that is healthy, tasty and filling that could meet the needs of diabetics, as well as athletes and health conscious consumers,” Cohen added.

This is the first time consumers will have the opportunity to purchase Granola Gourmet’s individually wrapped bars that also come in a caddy of 10. Ultimate Berry with blueberries, Ultimate Fudge Brownie with a nutty texture, Ultimate Mocha Fudge with a chocolaty base and touch of coffee flavor and aroma and Ultimate Cran-Orange make up the Ultimate selection.

Granola Gourmet bars contains 10-12g whole grains and 530-590mg of omega-3. For those with other dietary requirements, the bars are free of wheat and dairy, low in sodium, and are kosher and vegan.

Santa Clarita, CA-based Granola Gourmet also uses Low Glycemic Index ingredients. Low Glycemic foods provide longer periods of sustained energy, hunger relief and reduces the risk of experiencing blood sugar spikes. As a result, Granola Gourmet bars convert to sugar more slowly.

In California, SafewayVonsPavilions and Whole Foods are some of the stores carrying the products. The nationwide grocery chain launch is supported by a giveaway rebate offer that enables customers to receive free Granola Gourmet Energy Bars in exchange for proof of purchase. For more information about Granola Gourmet visit www.granolagourmet.com.

Healthy Back To School Snack Idea: Granola Gourmet

transformr
August 12, 2010

Because of it’s low glycemic index and allergy-safe ingredients (No Wheat, No Dairy, No Refined Sugar and very Low Sodium), Granola Gourmet became a popular snack among weight-watchers and people with diabetes.

However, Granola Gourmet is good for practically everyone. It’s best for children and parents on the go, of course without ditching the delicious factor in a healthy snack.

Here are a few reasons why Granola Gourmet is a good back-to-school snack:

  • Instead of sugary cereals, grab a Granola Gourmet Energy Bar made with 100% natural ingredients, including 391mg Omega 3′s and 13 grams of whole grains per bar
  • If you have food allergies and need to stay away from wheat or dairy (these do contain almonds)
  • When at school you are looking for satisfying snack, that also keeps your kids going, energy foods that hold up well in a locker
  • Your kids come home from school and are hungry before dinner and need something to satisfy their sweet tooth, but you want your kids to avoid the high fat, sugar and sodium content of some popular protein bars and snacks

Diet Food Reviews

by Emily W.
IateApie.net
June 14, 2010

I was very excited when my favorite guy, suited up in a UPS uniform, handed me a package from Granola Gourmet. Granola Gourmet Energy Bars are made with 100% natural and wholesome ingredients that are low or very low on the Glycemic Index. I picked up the Very Berry Energy Bars which has no sodium, no wheat, no dairy and no refined Sugar. Oh my.

Each 35 gram Granola Gourmet Very Berry Energy Bar is somewhat small, fitting into the palm of your hand; yet, Granola Gourmet’s creation is so dense and flavorful that it is just as satisfying as a bar that may appear to be twice its size. The base of this bar is extremely smooth and soft with a subtle flavor that evolves with every chew that you make. Although the bar is very soft, it does not fall apart in your hands.

The sweetness is pleasant, but does not overwhelm the all natural berry flavor. The smooth and flavorful base is accentuated by the densely packed nature of the bar, with organic oats, organic sunflower seeds, organic flaxseeds and almonds providing some welcomed chew and a level of nuttiness. The Very Berry flavor profile comes from dried blueberries and natural strawberry flavor; which meld with the honey and organic blue agave to create a thoroughly enjoyable, while still being subtle, sweetness.

Each Granola Gourmet Very Berry Energy Bar provides 140 calories, 8% of the daily value for total fat, no saturated fat or sodium, 11% of the DV for fiber, 10 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein.

I received these bars from the company, but you can buy a 10 bar package online at granola Gourmet for just $13.95 – SO WORTH IT