Spotlight of the Month – @elvin.willgrass

For February, I am excited to announce my Spotlight of the Month, Elvin Willgrass. Elvin is the founder of Top 14 Allergen safe brand Freedom Confectionary. I have had the pleasure of knowing Elvin for many years, being able to share the experience of both growing our brands is amazing, especially when we have the same mission in mind. Enjoy the blog!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am the Sales Director/Co-Owner Freedom Confectionery, love to keep fit, gym getting out walking in the lakes, cooking for friends; big follower of my Sons playing Rugby Union.

2. What inspired you to create your Allergen Free and Plant Based Confectionery company, Freedom Confectionery?

Freedom was created following success from being the fist group of entrepreneur innovators who created the World’s First Vegan Gummy and 14 Allergen Free candy in 2008, the Brand know as Goody Good Stuff. From this came other confectionery treats like marshmallows. Our mission to make sure we leave nobody out when it comes to confectionery treats making Freedom the Worlds only Inclusive Confectionery company for Marshmallows and Gummies.   

3. Do you think there needs to be more options available for people with multiple allergies in supermarkets?

100% we need more Free From goodies available in the retail world. Category buyers must start to open their eyes and understand how Allergen sufferers must be included and have available products which they can once again enjoy. The Free From offering in supermarkets is shocking and the majority is chocolate based product or products which have the statement “may contain or produced in a factory” It simply is not good enough or acceptable that Free From Category buyers and Retailers push back the responsibility to the consumer allowing them to take the risk and make the decision.

The responsibility should fall to retail buyer who works and focuses on manufacturers to produce Free From items which are free from and do not have a statement on pack. Freedom Confectionery have since 2008 made this commitment to sourcing ingredients which are Free From and making sure our production facilities also have the same high level of due diligence making sure that factory facilities and lines are 100% free from. We then go even further working with SGS to make sure our products are tested and certified Free From. And safe for the Allergen community.             

3. Freedom Confectionery promotes safer travelling for those with food allergies and intolerances. What advice would you give someone travelling with food allergies?

Check with your airline and if possible, travel with the Airline that really does understand about the importance of Allergens for travellers and the anxiety around safety. After all, when you are on a plane you are told that the Cabin Crew are there for your safety so you would hope this incudes Allergen Sufferers. Perhaps take your own snacks on board of Brands you trust Freedom, Creative Nature and check with the airline to make sure they can 100% cater for you whilst on board.  

5. Where would you like to see Freedom Confectionery in the next 5 years and what would you like to see change for those with food allergies?

Freedom Confectionery over the next 5 Years is focussed on creating new Confectionery Treats for the Allergen community but also for everyone else to enjoy and we will maintain our standards and due diligence. Our business now exports to 18 countries and incudes our new USA office and distribution centre based in LA California. We are now heavily driving Free From treats in the USA with many new retail outlets promoting and selling the Freedom Range of Gummies and Marshmallows. As Innovators and not Imitators Freedom will continue to work on new R&D making sure our focus is on not leaving anybody out when it comes to Confectionery Treats.