As someone who was born with multiple food allergies, finding foods that are safe to eat—especially desserts—has always been a challenge. Many products are traditionally made with either peanuts or tree nuts, or are “manufactured in a facility that processes tree nuts.” Regardless, the risk has never been worth the reward. So when I learned about Mompops, a local company that makes ice pops that are gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, peanut-free and kosher, let’s just say I was intrigued. (The pops are also extremely low in sugar and calories—great for diabetics and those who are watching their weight.)
Mother-and-son team of Sandra and Issa Ostrander started the company about five years ago. Sandra was a music teacher in Delaware County and saw an increase in food allergens and obesity in her students. She and her son started making the pops at the Artisan Exchange in West Chester. In February 2016, they expanded into a much larger space, formerly owned by a gluten-free baker in Kennett Square.
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Sandra and Issa Ostrander//Courtesy of Mompops |
“We currently produce in a certified Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility,” says Stephanie Cohen, chief “pop-erating” officer in charge of financial oversight and business development. We are the only production line in the building, so our product is not produced on a line or in a building that uses gluten or peanuts, minimizing allergen cross-contamination,”
There are currently five flavors available (with more to be launched in 2018): Chocolate Sea Salt, Mango, Strawberry Lemonade, Pineapple Basil and Banana Raspberry Cream. “Chocolate Sea Salt and Strawberry Lemonade are our most popular flavors,” Cohen says.
The most unusual thing about the pops is their size: They are an adorable one-ounce each. Issa originally started out making larger-sized pops and doing demonstrations with one-ounce pops. Customers loved the petite pops and begged Issa to sell them in that size. Currently, the pops are sold in boxes of six throughout the country—and locally at Harvest Market Natural Foods, Janssen’s Market and Newark Natural Foods.
To find out more, visit mompops.net.
