Viki’s Granola is a health-conscious, all-natural cereal that puts transparency and nutrition first. Made from a short list of simple ingredients, Viki’s Granola is available in five flavors ranging from apple cinnamon to maple cranberry.
Viki Sater came up with the idea to market her granola after donating it to her kids’ school fundraiser. She shares more about how she transformed a great product into an ever-expanding business.
Viki’s Granola started with a school fundraiser. What inspired you to start a business from there?
“Who would have guessed that the granola that I had enjoyed making for my loved ones would be such a hit at a school event…While I was happily filling requests free of charge, an idea started brewing that perhaps making granola was just the opportunity I was seeking. With my family’s full support, I… devoted my time to reading books, blogs and anything else on starting my own baking business.”
What have been some of the biggest challenges in growing your business?
“Entering the food industry with limited knowledge of what lay ahead was a blessing. Cereal is one of the hardest markets to penetrate; store shelves are lined with cereals and granolas. Convincing stores and distributors why my granola is different and worth putting on a shelf that had little or no real estate space was the biggest challenge. Luckily we are able to check all the important boxes: Non-GMO Verified, Gluten-Free, Kosher and, most importantly, delicious!”
Who is your target consumer?
“In a world full of dietary restrictions due to intolerances and health consciousness, being Gluten-Free, Non-GMO verified, Kosher, sodium free, with zero Trans Fat and no added refined sugar, Viki’s Granola truly appeals to the masses.”
How do you come up with new flavors, and what’s the product development process like from concept to launch?
“My original granola was born in my kitchen from flavors and ingredients that I myself enjoy and feel comfortable serving my family. The granola flavors that came down the line were based on flavor profiles that I love from Blueberry muffins to apple pie. At this time, I have a great team that share in my nutritional outlook on food.”
“We have some exciting products in development at this time…We hope to launch them at the Summer Fancy Food show this year.”
Where can we find Viki’s granola?
“Our presence varies from region to region but look for us at Jewel Osco, Raley’s, Whole Foods, Shop Rite, Stop and Shop, Albertson’s, Safeway, Winn Dixie and Shaw’s to name a few.”
What are your next steps and goals for Viki’s granola?
“Our goal is to grow distribution of Viki’s Granola to every major retailer across the US and successfully launch our new products.”