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ADDING PURE MAPLE SYRUP, POSITIVE ENERGY INTO GRANOLA

MUSKOKA GRANOLA

MARY BETH HARTILL

It may the pure maple syrup and fresh ingredients or perhaps the positive energy absorbed during the making but, for whatever the reason, Muskoka Granola is hitting the spot with customers.

Heather Glumac, owner, launched the company in Aug. 2021.

Focused on a healthy lifestyle throughout the pandemic, she was seeking out foods without preservatives. As part of this quest, she struggled to find a granola that fit the bill that she enjoyed. She took to the kitchen and began combining ingredients until she found her perfect blend.

"I couldn't stop eating it," she said, thinking perhaps others would like it too.

She put her graphic design background to use, designed the packaging and launched the brand at the Huntsville farmers market. She soon found herself at the Bala and Parry Sound markets as well.

"It's snowballed from there," said Glumac.

Glumac is grateful to Bracebridge chef David Friesen who has allowed them use of the commercial kitchen at The Oven throughout the pandemic. She says it

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made the project possible.

"We didn't really come from anything. We didn't have a lot of capital to start with so that really gave me a push in the right direction," she said.

Glumac may have started the business as a fun summer project, but it soon became evident Muskoka Granola had growth potential. A week before the Bala Cranberry Festival, muskokagranola.com and the successful online store was launched and, after the first couple of retailers began carrying the product, others expressed interest.

It is now carried in 15 stores and, in addition to the original markets, Muskoka Granola is also available at the Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Rosseau markets this summer.

She now employs a baker and a couple of people to help with packaging.

Glumac says the flavour, lack of preservatives, and real maple syrup are product draws but she says being handmade instead of in a large factory makes a big difference.

"There's positive energy in the food.

We're a really happy staff. We have a great time. We have music in the kitchen and there's a lot of dancing too," she said. "I do feel that goes into the food."

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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