Denise Woodard shares the story behind her allergy-friendly Partake Foods products.
The first bite of aPartakebrownie is luxuriously effete : chocolaty , fudgy , and gooey beneath a crispy edge and shatterable top . It ’s as every becoming elf should be . The most incredible part , however , is the fact that it’svegan , gluten - free , and takes less than 40 minutes to whip up . It can stand up to any otherboxed browniemix .
This is all thanks to Denise Woodard , who begin Partake Foods in 2016 after her girl , Vivi , was diagnosed with multiple food allergic reaction . “ When searching for bang-up tasting , high - quality snacks that she could safely bask , I make out up right smart short , ” she explain . “ I think ahead , in my mind , to her struggles socially while navigate her food allergies at birthday party , play dates , and holidays . ” Woodard left a career at Coca - Cola and , by 2017 , Partake officially launched .
Woodard is from North Carolina , and food has always been at the heart of her family . “ My grandmother ’s cookery brought everyone together , and I need nothing more than to make those same memories with my daughter , ” she explains . The sword begin with boxed cookies and the delegation to create delicious food that can be shared without apprehension .
Photo courtesy of Partake Foods
Since its launch , that missionary post has expanded and morphed , with an array of raw production that are still vegan , gluten - loose , and top nine allergen - free ( the top nine allergen are eggs , Milk River , wheat , sesame , tree nuts , soy , Pisces , mollusc , and peanut ) . “ I knew we could be a champion for food inclusivity by produce delicious foods that were allergy - friendly , not just allergic reaction - friendly food for thought , ’ ” Woodard says .
The new product includepancakeand waffle mixes ( that can also be used to make muffins ) , a blondie mix , and even a pizza crust mixing . Woodard rule inspiration for Modern products by looking for interruption in the market , having an opinionated girl who tests recipes , and hear to consumer feedback — including from her own employees , some of which have allergies or dietetical restrictions . “ When our pizza crust launched , we hear from a number of hoi polloi who had n’t been able to have pizza in a long time , and we gave them ‘ pizza pie dark ’ again , ” Woodard share . “ Bringing common people back to a solid food they love and can now safely enjoy is purpose - driving . ” Her favorite feedback is from those who shared the product with friends and family who do n’t have food restriction and they “ could n’t conceive what they tried was vegan , gluten - liberal , and allergic reaction - friendly . ”
Aside from creating delicious , shareable treats , Woodard also uses Partake as a political program for fighting food insecurity andcreating opportunity for HBCU studentslooking to pursue a calling in the food and beverage industry . “ As we ’ve grow , I ’ve rapidly seen the grandness and ability for us to raise as we go up , ” Woodard explains . “ Food allergic reaction strike 1 in 13 kid across the country , and — according tofoodallergy.org — smutty children are at a significantly in high spirits risk of exposure of developing these allergies . We are passionate about getting safe solid food into the hands of food insecure families , so a portion of our yield go to organisation , likeNo Kid Hungry , to furnish access code to the food for thought , education , and advocacy these families merit . ”
Photo courtesy of Partake Foods
Woodard has drop a lot of time thinking about how to see to it nutrient safety in her girl ’s life . There have been countless hours on the phone with restaurants , school , and other parent . She ’s methodical about her grocery tilt — whether it ’s filling the pantry and electric refrigerator at menage or pack nutrient off for holiday .
All of these experiences are a driving force behind Partake ’s mission , she says . “ If I can give someone survive with food allergies or dietary restriction the ability to take a sigh of relief because they see our recording label in apantry , at an drome , or on a menu , it ’s all deserving it . ”
