Lilys

Lily's Sweets

Chocolate without the sugar? Many conventional chocolate brands are loaded with the sweet stuff, which is why we’re excited about brands that arrive on the scene doing things differently. Lily’s Sweets is one of the makers making its mark by offering fair trade chocolate sweetened with stevia, a zero-calorie, plant-based sweetener. If you haven’t tried this version of chocolate bar, you’re in for a real treat. Just be warned: An official obsession may quickly follow.

The History of Lily’s Sweets

After college, founder Cynthia Tice opened a healthy grocery store in Philadelphia in 1978. She spent more than two decades educating customers about food and wellness before officially deciding to kick her sugar habit to the curb in 2003. Years later, Tice was convinced she could never give up chocolate, and decided to make her own bar sans sugar. In 2010, she partnered with longtime friend Chuck Genuardi to launch Lily’s Sweets, named after Chuck’s niece, a childhood brain cancer survivor.

Lily’s Sweets Company Mission

The mission of Lily’s Sweets is to make delicious chocolate with no added sugar. Every bar is botanically sweetened with stevia, which means there are no refined or processed sugars in sight. Ingredients are also non-GMO, gluten-free, and sourced with partners who have fair trade practices in place.

Benefits of Lily’s Sweets

In addition to making its line of tempting chocolate treats (we’ll get to those in a minute), Lily’s Sweets continues to be inspired by its namesake. Co-founder Genuardi’s niece Lily was diagnosed with brain cancer at age seven, and is now a teenager who has celebrated her five-year cancer-free diagnosis. She’s inspired the brand to contribute a percentage of its profits to non-profit organizations that provide resources and services to children with cancer and their families. In addition to focusing on this important cause, Lily’s Sweets is also committed to running an ethical and sustainable business. Its bars and baking chips are made using fair trade chocolate and non-GMO ingredients, and the entire line is Certified Gluten-Free.