If you follow me on social media, you know I’m a big fan of Grandy Organics. Their granola has been part of my daily breakfast routine for years, and more recently, their flavored cashews have become my go-to evening snack. So when I had the chance to interview Aaron Anker, the CEO of Grandy Organics, for the Chef My Life podcast, I jumped at the opportunity.

Meeting the Man Behind the Granola

Aaron has owned Grandy Organics (formerly Grandy Oats) for 25 years, and his passion for the brand is immediately apparent. What started as a partnership with his friend Nat grew into a sustainable business that has stayed true to its organic roots. About three years ago, Aaron bought out his partner and renamed the company Grandy Organics to reflect their 100% organic commitment.

“I’ve now owned this business 25 years. It’s pretty wild to see what it’s become,” Aaron told me during our conversation. He mentioned how special it is to be part of people’s morning routines, noting that breakfast is often the only part of the day we truly control before things inevitably “go haywire.”

From Corporate Hotels to Organic Granola

Aaron’s journey to becoming a granola guru had some interesting twists. Growing up working in his grandfather’s fish fry restaurant in upstate New York, he developed an early appreciation for food and entrepreneurship. After college, he worked in corporate hotels, then moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he worked at one of the country’s first vegan restaurants from 1995 to 1998.

This experience introduced him to the natural products industry well before organic standards were even established. Later, he joined Fresh Samantha, an East Coast smoothie company similar to Odwalla, where he helped triple their business before it was merged with Odwalla and eventually sold to Coca-Cola.

Looking for a more sustainable business model after that whirlwind growth and acquisition, Aaron connected with his college friend Nat, who had owned Grandy Oats for three years. Instead of starting his own food brokerage as planned, Aaron became Nat’s 50/50 partner.

“Nat would always say, ‘Aaron, you’re the gas, I’m the brakes.’ And that’s how it worked,” Aaron explained. “I grew the business. He manned the operations.”

Beyond Granola

While many of us know Grandy Organics for their delicious granolas, Aaron explained they also produce bulk trail mixes and roasted nuts for health food stores. Those flavored cashews I’ve been enjoying lately are actually among their top-selling items in Whole Foods nationwide.

Pandemic Pivots

Like many businesses, Grandy Organics faced challenges during the pandemic. With bulk sections closed in many states and university dining hall sales dropping, they had to pivot quickly. Aaron shared a great story about having $100,000 worth of organic almonds sitting in his warehouse when he connected with online grocery services like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods.

“They were scrambling just to find anything, and when they found out that we were organic, we’re solar powered, we had high-quality products… they really saved us. We saved them. It was a perfect partnership,” Aaron said.

This connection was actually how Aaron and I first connected — I discovered Grandy Organics through Misfits Market and started featuring their products in my social media content.

Breakfast Rituals

I shared with Aaron how I typically enjoy their products: my morning ritual includes their granola (especially the Coconola or Dark Chocolate Sea Salt varieties) with organic Icelandic skyr and fresh blueberries. Recently, I’ve been pairing their Peanut Butter Coconola with mixed berry açai yogurt for a PB&J vibe without the bread.

Aaron was excited to hear about my evening routine too — enjoying their flavored cashews with a glass of wine or beer. The Garlic & Herb cashews paired with red wine has become a favorite, while the Spicy Chipotle variety went perfectly with a Mexican beer on Cinco de Mayo.

Authentic Growth

One thing that struck me during our conversation was Aaron’s genuine approach to business growth. Unlike many brands that take outside equity, Grandy Organics has grown organically (no pun intended) without outside investment. Aaron values authenticity, which extends to how he approaches online reviews and partnerships.

We discussed the current state of online reviews and influencer marketing, where so much feels inauthentic or “pay to play.” Aaron appreciates genuine word-of-mouth from real fans, and I was happy to share that I’ve featured Grandy Organics products simply because I love them, not because of any paid arrangement.

Looking Forward

Aaron mentioned they have some exciting new products launching soon — one that’s more indulgent and another that’s part of their lower sugar line. He explained that Grandy Organics offers products in three main categories: grain-free (like their Coconola line), indulgent options, and lower sugar varieties, ensuring “there’s something for everybody.”

Final Thoughts

My conversation with Aaron reinforced why I’ve been such a fan of Grandy Organics over the years. There’s something special about supporting a business that’s remained true to its values while growing sustainably. From their 100% organic commitment to their solar-powered facility, Grandy Organics is a brand I’m proud to have in my pantry — morning and night.

If you’d like to try Grandy Organics products for yourself, you can find them at Whole Foods nationwide, many independent health food stores, and through online grocers like Misfits Market.

For the freshest products and best selection, I recommend ordering directly from the Grandy Organics website using my affiliate links below. As a special treat for my readers, use discount code DAVE20 at checkout for 20% off your entire order! (Good through June 2, 2025)

https://grandyorganics.pxf.io/aOLqkj

What’s your favorite way to enjoy granola? Let me know in the comments below!