Market Focus: Oak Forest's Granola Lady

Granola doesn't have to be crunchy and loaded with extra sugar. That's the philosophy of Maritza Medernach, an Oak Forest mom who took a need to find a healthy snack on the go and turned it into full-time business.

Medernach has set up at the Oak Forest Farmers Market in the parking lot, 15601 S. Central Ave, to sell her Sosoft 7 nola granola. She spoke with Oak Forest Patch about how her product came about.

Oak Forest Patch: What do you make and sell?

Medernach: I have an all-natural, soft granola, which tends to seem like an oxymoron because granola is usually hard and crunchy. But I didn’t like that so I didn’t make that. What makes ours different is a few things. It’s soft. There’s no added sugar. It’s actually sweetened with honey, pure maple syrup and whatever fruit the mixture is dried with. And all of my fats are good fats, including my oil, which is grape seed oil.

Patch: What got you started in granola?

Medernach: I was a flight attendant and I was making something that I could eat on the road because we really don’t get a chance to stop and have a break. When there’s a moment to eat, I’ll grab whatever’s available. Sometimes that’s chips and that’s just not healthy. So I started making something that I could actually snack on.

One thing led to another, it was the holidays and I was asking my husband if it was OK to give granola as Christmas presents. He said “Sure, why not?” And everyone seemed to love it.

Patch: This is a side business?

Medernach: The one thing that’s really kind of nice about flying is when you’re off, you’re off. I’m not there every day and I’ll have a stretch of days off at a time. In a normal job, it would be a part-time business but it’s really still full-time. When I come back from flying, I’m working then as well. I have a great job that allows me flexibility.

Patch: Do you make the rounds at many Farmers Markets?

Medernach: We started out and did only one and that was Orland Park. That was the first one I got in to. At the time, Oak Forest was thinking about having a market and then they decided not to. So, I got into Orland Park. That was three years ago. And we’ve done Orland Park for three years. This year, we got some help with the manufacturing. We decided that, since I’m now not the only one making it, let’s try a couple of extra markets.

I had to start doing Oak Forest because it’s my home. You know, I believe in Oak Forest and I’ve been sad to see things close and leave. If we can do anything to help to keep business here and grow Oak Forest, let’s do it.

Patch: How long have you been a part of Oak Forest?

Medernach: I’ve lived here for six years, my husband and I. Our son goes to Oak Forest and graduates next year.

Sosoft 7 nola granola also is available at local health food stores. Medernach can be reached at info@sosoft7nola. Visit nolagranolalady.com for more information.

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