2017 Winner
Wise 50 Over 50 Award™

MShari Blanchard – Bliss Speciality Foods

www.blissspecialtyfoods.com

Having difficulty finding healthy whole food gluten free snacks, Shari, founder and owner of Bliss Specialty Foods, started a product line that her children could eat with their food sensitivities. Based in London Ontario Bliss now sells through local stores and restaurants.

I started Bliss Specialty Foods just a couple of weeks after my 50th birthday. Having raised two children with food sensitivities I wanted to provide healthier snack options made from whole foods that would not only suit those with dietary restrictions, but also taste delicious to everyone.

Since the family behind BLISS is amoungst the most sensitive group of people needing to eat not only gluten free but also dairy free, these products have been put through rigorous testing in a real life environment. One fingerprint of wheat flour is enough to trigger a reaction that is multi-system and lasts for days or even weeks. We call it being ‘glutenized’. For those who need to eat gluten free for medical reasons, this is a serious matter.

This is a highly competitive market, but Bliss has been able to grow (albeit slowly) from a red accounting entry to a black entry in 5 years, due to the individual persistence of the owner.

We are passionate about healthy living at Bliss.