Interviews

Glen and Liz Ward: Creators of the Bumble Bar.

How did the Bumble Bar come into existence? Tell us its story.
BumbleBar was born shortly after my son Jedidiah came into being. I was very interested in developing a treat that not only tasted good and provided good nutrition but, just as important, was all organic and vegan. I had been an avid hiker for some time and was continually dismayed that all the products geared towards the outdoors that contained dairy and/or other questionable ingredients. Plus, I wanted something I could feel good about my son and other kids eating and that they would want to eat.

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Why was it important to you to create an organic energy bar that was totally vegan?
In my mind, the only sustainable road to the future is organic and vegan. Eating is something that most of us are privileged to do every day. The impacts of the daily choices that we make are profound. I believe that by crafting a delectable all organic vegan energy bar, I am directly contributing to the future health of the planet. Whenever someone reaches for a BumbleBar, that person is supporting clean water and healthier soils, a safer environment for farm workers, and of course their own health by not ingesting chemically laden and grown food. I have always felt driven to try and make a difference in the short time that I am here. BumbleBar is the vehicle that I am currently using to try and have a positive impact on the planet.

Original Flavor Bumble Bar

Lots of people get ideas about things they want to create or things they want to see on the market. What was it that made you take action to actually create the thing you desired?
My Mother was and is an inspiration for me. As I mentioned, I have always felt driven to make a positive impact in the time that I am here. Before BumbleBar, I lived down in Oregon on a farm out in the mountains without electricity or running water. I grew most of my own food organically of course! I decided however that as idyllic a lifestyle as the farm offered that I needed to make a greater difference. So ,I decided to move back to Seattle to pursue a nursing degree. Tragically, in the midst of the move, my Mother suddenly died. After spending two weeks in the intensive care unit with my dying Mother, I realized I could not be around sick folks any longer. Food had always been a great source of joy to me and I felt like there was not nearly enough tasty, organic, vegan food on the market particularly aimed at kids as well as active and busy folks. Fiddling around in the kitchen, I came up with the BumbleBar. I could not stop eating it and neither could my friends so I knew I was on to something. The response has been overwhelming. Never in my wildest dreams did I think BumbleBar would be this big. I know that my Mother would be so thrilled. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love.

Did you have any experience in the food making industry?
I grew up in the kitchen cooking with my Mom. When I was about 9, my parents helped start a soup kitchen that now in its many branches serves 300,000 meals a year. By the time I was a teenager, I was the chief cook in one of the soup kitchens. Creating dinner for several hundred people taught me a lot! Also, in college I worked at a number of restaurants.

What obstacles did you face getting started?
The great thing about ignorance is that sometimes in can be bliss. I had no idea what I was doing when I started BumbleBar just that I wanted to make these tasty organic bars and that was about it. From designing the labels to making the bars to selling the bars to everything in between, it was all a series of obstacles.

Liz, Glenn, and Jed

Have you been a vegan all your life? If not, when did you become one?
Growing up in the Midwest, I didn't even know what vegan was until I moved out to the Pacific Northwest at 18 and became an immediate convert. That was about 13 years ago. I am not a full fledged vegan but I do eat a primarily vegan diet. My son gets a kick on hearing about how when I was a kid I did not know that veganism or organic agriculture even existed. It is a wonderful feeling raising him where he just takes soymilk for granted!

What is the most rewarding aspect of producing and distributing the Bumble Bar?
Supporting sustainable agriculture on a larger scale than would ever be possible on an individual level is by far the most rewarding aspect of running BumbleBar. Also, I love making people happy by providing delicious, organic, vegan food.

What daily challenges do you face?
Running a business on an island accessible only by boat brings its own unique joys and frustrations. We are very limited in availability of commercial spaces from which to run our operation and also must plan all store demos, store visits, trade shows... around the ferry schedule. On the plus side, I have been blessed to see killer whales and sea lions on my way over or back from the city.

What are your hopes and dreams for the Bumble Bar?
I would eventually like to have a whole line of tasty, all organic, vegan snack food available nationwide and internationally.

Do you have plans to launch new flavors sometime in the future? If so, can you give us an idea of what's coming next?
I am constantly working on new flavors. My love of cooking was what got me into it in the first place. I am currently working on an almond crisp flavor made with really tasty organic almonds from an almond cooperative down in California.

What general comments have you received from people who have tried the Bumble Bar?
"This is the best bar I have ever had." "BumbleBars are so good I can't eat them fast enough!" "BumbleBars are the perfect afternoon snack at work. I buy them by the dozen."

If people want to see Bumble Bars in their local health food stores, what should they do?
People should ask for them. Speaking with the manager or grocery buyer is always a good idea. We are available in most parts of the country through distributors. Folks can also buy BumbleBars from us directly online at www.bumblebar.com or by phone at 1-888-4JEDFOX.

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