Lori Sandler: Fighting Food Allergies at Divvies Bakery

CBN.com Lori Sandler is a mom on a mission — a mission that began 11 years ago when her son, Benjamin, first showed signs of food allergies at just two days old.

From the time Benjamin was born, the Sandlers knew he had terrible eczema, hives and asthma, which are all signs of food allergies. Through blood tests it was confirmned that Benjamin had food allergies, including life-threatening ones to peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, eggs and shellfish.

“Looking back it seems like it was a much harder adjustment,” says Lori. "It was hard to adjust to the idea that what he had was life-threatening and only a trace amount could send him into anaphylactic shock.”

Lori and her husband, Mark, have done everything they can to make Benjamin safe and not feel defined by his food allergies. After removing all the foods from the house that contained any ingredient that he was allergic to, Lori began making the little moments in life special.

Free Factsheet
Recipes: Divvies’ Allergen-Free Fun-Foods

THERE ARE MILLIONS LIKE BENJAMIN
As a parent of a child with food allergies, Lori learned she wasn’t alone. Currently, more than 12 million Americans have food allergies, and more than 30 million are lactose intolerant. Not wanting her family’s lives turned upside down and for Benjamin to become labeled, Lori turned the tables by opening a dedicated nut-free, egg-free, and milk-free gourmet bakeshop, Divvies Bakery.

The Sandler family envisioned homemade fun foods that the whole family and their friends could enjoy. These foods would be made without peanuts, tree nuts, eggs or milk, and despite all those left-out ingredients, these treats would be delicious.

Divvies fun foods are available to share with families and friends across the country. Divvies cookies, popcorns, and cupcakes are made in the company’s own dedicated facility where no peanuts, tree nuts, eggs or milk enter the doors. Divvies candies, frosting and sprinkles are certified by their manufactuers and are packaged in Divvies Bakery. Divvies conducts routine testing to minimize the risk of any cross-contamination in their certified allergen-free ingredients.

She may not be your typical bakery lady, but what began as a mother’s labor of love has grown into a thriving business. From cupcakes to cookies to candy and popcorn, The Divvies Bakery Cookbook shares the allergen-free recipes that replace artificial sounding ingredients with healthy doses of natural chocolate, fruit, molasses and love.

BACK TO SCHOOL
It is important to communicate with the children’s school, especially with their principal, teacher and school nurse. “It is important to talk to the school before school has started,” says Lori, “but it is never to late. This is a serious matter.”

Always be vigilant in an un-alarming way. Most parents have the best intentions; however, even though you are always keeping the allergies at the top of your mind, it doesn’t have to be the topic of discussion. “Always be considerate,” says Lori.