Money Date With Vermont Nut Free Chocolates
/Every Friday I recommend having a money date…with a mimosa. Hence the name of my blog, Money & Mimosas.
Your money date is your special time to review your finances, celebrate your wins, and reflect on how you used your money to make a difference. Feel free to do it alone or with your money buddy. If you’d like a step-by-step guide for your money date, click here to download your free checklist.
In these money date articles, Money & Mimosas features small to medium-sized businesses that are aligned with our values. This week we’re featuring Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, a gourmet chocolate company based in Vermont, U.S. Keep reading to learn about the founders, Gail and Mark Elvidge, and why their son’s peanut allergy inspired them to launch their business.
What inspired the creation of your business?
My wife and I started Vermont Nut Free Chocolates in 1998 after learning our son, Tanner, was allergic to peanuts. Soon after discovering Tanner’s allergy, we began to thoroughly read ingredient labels and started learning about which allergen-free foods he could have, and those we should watch for. Chocolate turned out to be one of the hardest nut-free foods to find, and not wanting Tanner to miss out on a childhood indulgence, we wanted to change that. The company started in our home kitchen and has since grown to providing nut-free and gourmet chocolate products and candy to the food-allergy community for over 21 years.
Does your business only make nut-free chocolates?
Since starting Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, we have expanded our treats to include far more than just chocolate. We also make truffles, barks, toffee, fudge, trail mix, granola bars and more. In addition to producing our fine line of chocolates and snacks, we offer confectionary products including jellybeans, gummy candies and crispy cookies. We also celebrate the seasons and holidays with a wide variety of themed products and packaging that goes beyond chocolate.
What does your business do to create ethically made products?
Since starting from such small beginnings, we’ve had a hand in every piece of the company’s production. Vermont Nut Free Chocolates ensures the highest-quality ingredients are used in the production of our handmade, gourmet treats. Our products are produced and packaged in our 100% dedicated nut-free facility. We work closely with sources to ensure that our raw ingredients are not only nut-free but produced in nut-free facilities as well.
Why is it important for those with nut allergies to have a wide variety of safe sweet treats to eat?
For the same reason we started our company, providing nut-allergy safe treats and sweets is incredibly important for those who normally have to shy away from their favorite foods. We wanted to make sure no child had to miss out on the simple pleasure of chocolate. We’re honored to be part of the growing community of allergy-friendly providers making foods more accessible to those with allergies.
What advice would you give other business owners in the food industry that want to become allergy-friendly?
For any business owner in the food industry looking to become allergy-friendly, I would encourage them to dive in. There is a huge demand for allergy-friendly products, even for those who don’t have allergies, so there is room in the space. With that being said, being able to think creatively and differentiate yourself is important. The community of customers we’ve built in the past 22 years has grown to feel like family. We are motivated to provide the highest quality products because we feel they’re part of our own community, and the support we’ve received in return speaks to the work we’re doing.
