Home Free Cookies and Treats

Home Free Treats are made in a dedicated facility free of tree nuts, peanuts, dairy and egg.  They are made with whole grains and are made with all natural or organic ingredients.

The nice people at Home Free contacted me to see if we would like to sample some of their products.  Even though they don't have a dedicated gluten free facility they do manufacture a gluten free product.  There was just one problem for us.  My son is allergic to wheat, rye, barley, and OAT (along with peanut, tree nut, and egg) and  the gluten free cookies are made with certified gluten free OAT flour.  This may work if you have a wheat allergy or Celiac Disease but for my son who is allergic to oat it's a no go.

So although we haven't tried the cookies (but they LOOK good), I wanted to share information about these products and the company for those that have allergies except an oat allergy.  It's hard to find gluten free cookies that don't contain nuts,egg and/or dairy too.

Below is the press release regarding their gluten free cookies:


HOMEFREE™ LAUNCHES NEW
ALLERGY FRIENDLY AND GLUTEN FREE COOKIE


Allergy Friendly Company Adds to its Line of Inclusive Healthy Snacks


WINDHAM, NH – (March 21, 2011) HomeFree, “treats you can trust,” today announced the
addition of new crunchy vanilla mini cookies free of the top 8 allergens and gluten to its line
of healthy allergy-friendly grocery and food service snacks. The cookies contain no trans fat,
cholesterol or saturated fat, are low sodium, heart healthy, vegan, kosher pareve, and SB-19
compliant for schools. One serving contains more than half a serving of whole grain and only 9
grams of sugar. The cookies also are certified as more than 70% organic by the New Hampshire
Department of Agriculture, Markets and Foods. HomeFree additionally announced today that
its grocery boxes of mini chocolate chip and mini chocolate chocolate chip cookies are now
all natural gluten free. Five of HomeFree’s seven flavors of allergy friendly cookies are now
certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO) to be free of gluten – which,
despite popular belief, is not an allergen.


According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), 1 in 25 Americans have food
allergies, and more than 3 million of them are children. Most food allergic reactions are to
peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Reactions can be immediate and
life threatening even to traces of an allergen. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, 1 in
133 Americans have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition requiring avoidance of gluten-
containing foods such as wheat, barley, triticale and rye, in order to avoid long-term damage.
In addition to those with celiac disease, many people avoid gluten due to sensitivities, and to
various health conditions such as autism. HomeFree initially was created for people with food
allergies and for health conscious people looking for a more enjoyable, wholesome snacking
option. HomeFree has grown to include people with many special dietary needs.


“Our gluten free oatmeal varieties were so well received that we decided to make more of our
cookies accessible to the many people currently seeking gluten free options” said Jill Robbins,
president of HomeFree. “I created HomeFree to serve the needs of the more than 12 million
Americans with food allergies. Now those with celiac disease, as well as those who seek a gluten
free diet for other health reasons, can also enjoy a range of HomeFree cookies. Our goal is to
make available delicious, wholesome treats that people with, and without, special dietary needs
can enjoy together. Now, people serving snacks and desserts can feel great when they can
include everyone. HomeFree treats make it easy to do so. We are particularly excited about our
mini packs (.95 oz) of mini chocolate chip and of mini vanilla cookies as delicious, wholesome
grab-and-go and food service options to make it easy for institutions to serve everyone.”


Jill Robbins, HomeFree founder, mother and clinical psychologist, turned to baking when her son
was diagnosed with food allergies twelve years ago. The author of Allergen Free Baking: Baked
Treats for All Occasions, Jill focused on creating a solution to the social aspect of food allergies,
so that children and adults with allergies can participate fully in school and social events when


HomeFree Launches New Cookie | Page Two


treats with potential allergens are served.


-more-


HomeFree products are:
- Free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and dairy
- Fine for most people allergic to soy (some contain soy lecithin)
- Wheat free/Gluten free – available in most flavors
- Certified a good source of whole grain – most HomeFree products contain at least ½
serving of whole grains of the 3 daily recommended
- All natural or certified 70% or 95% organic
- Allergen tested for peanut, tree nut, egg and dairy protein, and gluten free products also
tested for gluten
- Without trans fat or cholesterol
- Without corn sweeteners, artificial colors or flavors, MSG, and GMO’s
- Certified vegan (oatmeal cookies, mini vanilla cookies, and coffee cakes)
- Certified kosher pareve and available Pas Yisroel
- Manufactured by HomeFree, a certified Woman Owned Business (WBENC), in
HomeFree’s own facility


HomeFree cookies carry a suggested price of $4.99 per box at retail locations or $5.49 per
box (plus shipping and handling) through the company’s website, www.homefreetreats.com.
HomeFree cookies are available in chocolate chip, chocolate chocolate chip, and gluten free
oatmeal (6 ounce boxes), as well as gluten free mini chocolate chip, gluten free mini chocolate
chocolate chip, gluten free mini oatmeal chocolate chip, and gluten free mini vanilla (5 oz boxes).
The cookies are available in the natural food sections of over 600 retail locations nationwide
including many independent stores, as well as participating Whole Foods, Shaw’s, Giant Carlisle,
Foodtown, Big Y, Earth Fare, Albertsons, Akins/Chamberlins, Festival Foods, and Fresh Markets.


Individually wrapped cookies retail for $1.49 (1 oz). The oatmeal flavor has option of all natural
gluten free, or 95% USDA organic. POS and bulk packaging is available for cash and carry and for
all food service applications. Individually wrapped cookies can be found at the HomeFree web
site, as well as at a growing number of stores and of food service institutions.


HomeFree cookies, coffee cakes, allergen-free baking cookbook, and specialized allergen-
tested baking ingredients are available for purchase through the company’s website. For more
information, or to purchase HomeFree products, please visit www.homefreetreats.com.


About HomeFree
HomeFree, LLC is the maker of delicious, all natural and organic, ready-to-eat whole grain
cookies and coffee cakes free of common food allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs
and dairy. HomeFree was founded by Jill Robbins, a clinical psychologist, self-taught baker,
author of Allergen Free Baking: Baked Treats for All Occasions, and the mother of a child with
food allergies. HomeFree manufactures and packages its products in a dedicated facility
free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and dairy. With the highest commitment to product integrity,
HomeFree sources its ingredients with great care and additionally conducts allergen and gluten
testing. HomeFree cookies, coffee cakes and specialized allergen-tested baking ingredients are


HomeFree Launches New Cookie | Page Two


available for purchase through the company’s website, at more than 600 retail locations, and at
a growing number of institutions. HomeFree, a certified woman owned business headquartered
in Windham, NH, donates a portion of its profits to organizations that provide food allergy
research and education. For more information, or to purchase HomeFree products, please visit
www.homefreetreats.com. 


If you try the cookies or any of their other treats, stop back and let me know what you think.