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Correspondent AGAWAM Joanne Attardi believes in helping people live healthier lives one nut at a time. Attardi is founder and CEO of The Nut Lady, LLC, formerly known as Nuts 4 Nuts. As her nut business has grown in popularity over the years, Attardi knew she needed to take her business to a new level which included a move to a 800-square-foot commercial facility at 303 Springfield St. Additionally, this fall Attardi will have her nut varieties distributed through United Natural Foods Inc., a specialty food distributor, with sites including the Whole Foods Market chain across the Northeast. "Our business has grown tremendously this year," Attardi said during an interview with Reminder Publications behind-the-scenes at her shop. She attributes her success to her baked, not roasted, nuts that are healthier, gluten-free and kinder to teeth. Attardi says her secret recipe, passed down from her Italian grandmother, is the cornerstone for her successful business venture. Since 1997, Attardi has baked walnuts, pecans, almonds and cashews in a flavorful cinnamon-meringue coating the old-fashioned way without oils, butter, syrups or preservatives. "Everyone who tasted them went nuts over the nuts, confessing to hoarding them, hiding them in cupboards, fighting over the last crumb, and even blaming the family pet for eating them," she said, adding, with the encouragement of family and friends, her fledgling business took shape and took off. Attardi noted that in 2004, she created her own recipe for sugar-free and salt-free nuts to meet the needs of those with diabetes and other diet restrictions, and in 2006, she received Kosher certification. She also emphasized that her nuts have a light crisp crunch and have no trans fat. Attardi is assisted in her business venture with her husband Bob who serves as vice president of operations. They both stressed that all of the walnuts, pecans and almonds sold are from the United States, while the cashews come from India. Attardi celebrated a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 4, and is now open Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Her products can also be purchased at several area stores, including Table & Vine in West Springfield and Randall's Farm in Ludlow. In the coming weeks, her nuts will also be available at all area Big Y World Class Markets. Also, she returned for her fifth year to The Big E. Attardi noted that any unsold packages of nuts at the close of The Big E will be sent to local troops in Iraq. Her clever packaging of nuts in attractive bags, boxes and decorative tins have a "caution label" noting how habit-forming they may become. In her quaint storefront shop, visitors can choose from six-ounce, eight-ounce and 16-ounce seasonal tins, as well as attractive bags and boxes that center on a particular variety of nut. She noted her most popular seller is the "sampler," which is ideal for those who seek variety in their snacks. All packages are offered in either original or sugar-free varieties. "Try them in your salads, cereal, yogurt, desserts or right out of the package," she notes on her label. Whether one considers a gourmet bag of baked nuts or the popular sampler, prices can accommodate anyone's budget, Attardi noted. She also can make custom orders for party favors for any event. Perhaps what gives Attardi the greatest enjoyment is "seeing people's faces light up" when they sample her nuts in her shop. As Attardi launches this fall into a new phase of her business, she remains committed to her roots use only the freshest ingredients and the baked nuts will retain their healthy nutrients and flavor which promises a longer shelf life for consumers. Of course, once the bag or tin is opened it's doubtful the nuts will last long. For more information on The Nut Lady, Attardi can be reached at 335-0126 or via e-mail to Info@TheNutLady.biz. Her Web site is www.TheNutLady.biz. | ||||||
