Whodathunk that chocolate could become a ministry...

But that’s exactly what Whey-Out Chocolate is. When I began my “food allergy journey” back in 1994, there wasn’t as much awareness about food allergies, or as many resources. Thanks to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN – although it was only the Food Allergy Network back then) and National Jewish Center for Medicine and Research (NJC), I became well-educated in dealing with my daughter’s milk and peanut allergies. But as time passed, I became aware of a huge void in the lives of people with food allergies: a lack of chocolates and treats that are safe to enjoy. Since most of my “sweetest” childhood memories are coated with chocolate, I was so frustrated that there wasn’t much out there that my daughter could enjoy. So I started making confections for her, and I’ll never forget the joy on her face the first time she found a huge chocolate bunny in her Easter basket. They had been a forbidden pleasure for her until then, and there had been many heart-rendering trips to the grocery store with her looking longingly at all the holiday treats that were either milk chocolate, or produced on machinery that was shared with peanuts. Then several years ago, my niece developed a serious allergy to soy. Finding chocolate with no soy lecithin in it is even more difficult! But I’m stubborn, and I did find some and started developing soy-free treats as well. Over the years I developed quite a collection of recipes, and several years ago I started joking about starting my own chocolate company. But eventually, I began to seriously consider the possibility more and more.

In early January of 2007, I was praying about New Year’s Resolutions while driving home from work, and asked God if perhaps 2007 would be a good year for me to actually make that leap of faith. Within minutes of that prayer, I turned on the radio and heard local talk-show host Clark Howard talking about how his daughter had been diagnosed with peanut allergies, and how difficult it was for them to find chocolate that was safe for her to eat. He then went on to talk about how entrepreneur Patsy Rosenburg turned her milk and peanut allergies into a successful business making allergen-free baking mixes: Cherrybrook Kitchens. Within an hour of my prayer, a friend called and offered me a job doing free-lance work for him from my home, making enough money in a few hours a week to allow me to devote the larger portion of my time to developing my enterprise. Those were just the first in a long string of miracles and confirmations that have landed in my lap since then (including my husband’s support and encouragement).

Throughout 2007 I took classes, bought equipment, sought long and hard for ingredient resources, and in October found my shop space. Throughout all of this, I have prayed continually, seeking God’s guidance, and the pieces still continue to miraculously fall into place.

So Whey-Out Chocolate is dedicated first and foremost to God, from whom all blessings flow. The company is also dedicated to my daughter, Clarissa, who has been my inspiration and motivation; my husband Barry, who is my strength and chief advisor; my “sista” Renée, who is my awesome business coach and calms me in the midst of all my fears and struggles; Brother Calistus, who has been my spiritual coach and advisor; and to my niece Charity, whose faith in God has inspired me. And half of my profits are dedicated to the food allergy research at NJC, with hopes that one day there will be no need for “allergen-free” chocolate, and I can simply make it because it’s so good.

I hope that you are blessed by the confections offered here at Whey-Out Chocolate. My goal is to build a chocolate oasis where people with food allergies can indulge with the security of knowing that these treats are safe. Nobody should have to live without chocolate, and apparently God agrees. He told Noah to build an ark, David to build a temple, and Paul to build a church – but He told me to make chocolate. How cool is that?

Blessings to you!

Joy Reid

Humble Proprietress

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us at info(at)wheyoutchocolate.com

(sorry, we've had to leave out the direct e-mail link due to overwhelming spam operations), or our mailing address is:

Whey-Out Chocolate Inc.

1041 Honey Creek Road, #197

Conyers, GA 30013

Tel: 770-361-4606

Fax: 866-542-1517