The Etownian >> Features
Rachael Ray goes ‘nuts’ for alumna-created snack food
Thursday November 05 2009
This is a display of Nuts About Granola in the Jay’s Nest. This alumna-created snack was recently featured on the Rachael Ray show as the ‘Snack of the Day.’ Several flavors are available.
The company was started when Lanphier’s triathlon team needed to raise money to compete in a national meet. Instead of selling the traditional fundraiser items, Lanphier dug up a recipe for granola, packaged it, and sold it. Little did she know that this small fundraising venture would turn out to be a bigger success than she had initially anticipated.
Since this fundraiser, Lanphier has begun to sell handmade granola at farmer’s markets and has her own Web site for the business. There are numerous flavors of granola that Lanphier and her mother have developed. The varieties they create are conveniently sold by season in order to enhance and highlight the tastes for which each season is known.
For instance, in winter, there is “Date Food,” which consists of vanilla, almonds, and dates, and “Ambrosia,” which consists of pomegranates and mangoes—highlighting some of the key fruits and flavors typically associated with wintertime. As far as new flavors to expect; Lanphier revealed, “We are going to be launching ‘Purely Simple’ in our health foods stores this
month. It is a lightly sweetened granola made with organic oats, toasted
almonds, dried cranberries and a hint of lemon.”
Despite all the hard work that both Lanphier and her mother put into their company, they still manage to find time to advertise. Just a few weeks ago, “Nuts about Granola” was featured on the Rachael Ray Show” as “Snack of the Day.” How did Nuts About Granola end up on the show?
“I sent an e-mail to a general e-mail address on their Web site,” she explained. “I was then contacted via email with a request for product samples. I sent the ‘Snack of the Day’ segment producer samples of our products, she liked them, and we were featured as the ‘Snack of the Day.’”
Being able to promote their hard work on a show that is extremely successful is a huge accomplishment, and both Lanphier and her mother are excited about it. There is much to be anticipated for the future of Nuts about Granola.
“We do have a granola bar and are working on introducing whole grain quick breads and muffins at our Central Market location,” Lanphier said.
Nuts about Granola products can even be found right here on Etown’s campus. In the Jay’s Nest, near the register, members of the College community can purchase numerous flavors of Lanphier’s products, such as the “Lovers Combo” and “Johnny Appleseed.”
The packages are sizable and can last for several days if eaten at a reasonable pace. All in all, Lanphier is more than pleased with her accomplishments and the direction in which her business is headed.
Her advice for those who are looking to start their own business: “Do your research, seek mentors within the industry and be prepared to work really, really hard.”
The Etownian >> Features