Families like mine with life-threatening food allergies must always be attentive, and most of us carry Epipens (epinephrine) in case of an accident. Besides the stress inherent in constantly living with that situation, another stress is in some ways more difficult to manage – participating in events involving off-limits treats that everyone else is eating.

I was raised to highly value health, including emotional well being. My son’s multiple food allergies raised a challenge. How could I keep my son healthy, which meant keeping all treats away from him, while also attending to his emotional well being? As a psychologist, I knew how to listen to his feelings and how to problem solve with him, but my heart ached watching him feel so left out when food was served at school and social events.

So I baked. That way he could bring his own treats to such occasions. The first few years, only he and I would eat what I made. But then I figured it out, and soon after began the cookbook, which took several years. When the cookbook was out, people encouraged me to make ready-made products as well. We opened our dedicated facility last fall.

With the individually wrapped cookies, schools are providing treats to all the children, with and without food allergies, who all love them. Everyone loves the cookies and ask for them by name. "Are we having the Gak's Snacks cookies today?"

The “for all occasions” cookbook allows people to bake treats everyone will enjoy together. People write me about how important this is for them. I cried reading this e-mail:

“Dear Jill,
Attached are pictures of my daughter Caroline (finally) eating a chocolate cupcake on her 2nd birthday. Thanks to your recipe, Caroline was able to experience birthday cake for the first time in her life! She is allergic to egg, dairy, soy, nuts, and banana, so her world has been very restricted. My mom ordered your cookbook and sent it to me, just in time to try out your recipe. The cupcakes were delicious and so easy to make! As you can see, Caroline enjoyed them tremendously! Many of the guests there (who do not know of Caroline's extensive allergies) asked me for the recipe, not knowing all of the "secret" ingredients!!
We are so grateful to you, your products, and recipes. You helped restore a piece of my daughter's childhood that she was missing!
Thank you so much!”
Erin Spaulding
Branford, CT

When I e-mailed her that my husband cried too, she responded:

Jill, tell your husband WE cried when Caroline didn't break out in hives after eating your cupcake the first time! We held our breath for about 10 minutes, just staring at her and checking her stomach and back! At her first birthday, we gave her a chocolate cupcake from a kosher bakery that doesn't cook with milk (we already knew then she was allergic to dairy). When she broke out in hives after eating that cupcake, we later learned she was also allergic to eggs! Thanks for alleviating our stress too!!!”
Erin

Many customers buy their first treats for someone in the family with an allergy, but soon everyone is enjoying them because they taste so good.

Gak’s Snacks is about inclusion. The goal is for everyone, with and without food allergies, to enjoy the same treat together. There are many Kosher homes and schools where kids with food allergies want to be able to join. We wanted to make that possible.

As a new small family business, we couldn’t afford the fee for a kosher supervising agency. But prodded by my mother-in-law, we contacted OK. They responded with enthusiasm, respect and appreciation and formed a financial plan that could work for both of us. The rabbis and staff go out of their way to be helpful. Although we’re only a small company, OK’s treatment has been first class. The OK Agency treats everyone equally, no matter how big or small.

…And A Happy New Year!
With apple in our coffee cake, it is perfect for Rosh Hashanah. Of course, being sensitive to others’ needs is a good Rosh Hashanah resolution. Like our other products, it is whole grain, vegan, organic, has no cholesterol or trans fat and is, of course, delicious.