Mary's Gone Crackers Employs 100 People in Gridley
Friday, June 24, 2011 at 02:44PM Bad Economy has little effect on gluten-free business model
Seventeen years ago, Mary Waldner was hard-pressed to find anything gluten-free. It was her struggle with Celiac Disease - an inability to digest gluten--a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and most oats - that inspired her to develop Mary's Gone Crackers seven years ago along with her husband, Dale Rodrigues.
"She would make the crackers and many of her friends and family would tell her 'These are really good. You should start a business'," Jacob Farris, Sales and Marketing Director, said. While the idea was conceived in the Bay Area, the company first started production in Chico and then moved to Gridley.
Why Gridley?
"We needed a factory space," Farris said. "This old canning facility that wasn't really being used was available. We just kind of moved in and filled it up and made it our's. That's really the reason why we're here. We've grown a lot in this same space and it's still working for us."
Mary's handcrafted recipe became a hit not only with fellow Celiac sufferers, but with consumers eager for delicious snacks they could feel good about eating. Mary's Gone Crackers Original was awarded the Sofi Gold for the most outstanding cracker at the New York Fancy Food Show in 2008.
The signature product is a unique cracker made with organic brown rice, organic quinoa, organic flax seeds and organic sesame seeds. Today, there is much more awareness of gluten-free products and many more items available commercially.
According to Farris, this widespread availability helps more than it hurts. "There is much more awareness - what gluten-free is and why it's necessary. More people are excited about it.
On the other hand, Farris added, "There is also lot of stuff out there that gives gluten-free a bad name. Mary's Gone Crackers is great tasting, healthy, and delicious."
Currently, the company produces five crackers, four cookies and three pretzels. Find Mary's Gone Crackers at the following stores.
ALMOND STREET NATURAL FOODS
5729 ALMOND STREET
PARADISE, 95969 CA
CHICO NATURAL FOODS CO-OP
818 MAIN STREET
CHICO, 95926 CA
COUNTRY HARVEST
1726 SKYWAY #F
PARADISE, 95969 CA
HEALTH HABIT (WILLOWS)
231 W SYCAMORE
WILLOWS, 95988 CA
KUEHNE`S LITHO UNLIMITED
322 NORD AV
CHICO, 95926 CA
S & S PRODUCE
530 343 4185 FAX
CHICO, 95926 CA
Maisie Jane's
1324 Dayton Road
Chico, 95928 Ca
Phone: (530) 899-7909
Safeway
1366 East Avenue
Chico, 95973 CA
Phone: 530-899-2320