Yogurt bowls, trail mix, oatmeal — the possibilities are endless. But how do we know that the ingredients that we’re consuming are good for us, yet still enjoyable? That’s where Meghan McCarthy comes in. The CEO of City Hippie Granola has a main mission: to provide an enjoyable snack where all consumers can read the ingredient list. The crunchy breakfast or snack food provides consumers with fiber that keeps them full for a longer period.
Luckily, City Hippie provides those great benefits. “I have a one-to-one oats-to-nuts ratio, so there are as many nuts as there are oats in there, which is kind of unusual for a lot of the store-purchased granola,” CEO Meghan McCarthy said. Her main point was that consumers should be able to read and understand all the ingredients in their food. Sustainability is a crucial aspect of marketing — especially in the food industry. “I use maple syrup as my sweetener. I use whatever added sweetness comes from the dried fruit, the cranberries, the apples, raisins, that kind of stuff,” McCarthy said.
Many businesses — whether chain or local — tend to use artificial sweeteners or ingredients that are tricky to pronounce. Speaking to frequent customer Abigail Eshbaugh, she said the products not only benefit her health, but her children’s as well. “Their favorite is the peanut butter chocolate. And it’s because for them, it’s like a dessert. But for me, I know that it has a lot of healthy ingredients as well.” Eshbaugh said.
The granola doesn’t just provide a healthy snacking option; McCarthy shares her love for baking and cooking through her granola. “I love her inclusiveness. She’s really an inclusive, kind person, and that really comes through. You know, her name says hippie, and I don’t know that she’s necessarily hippie, but the good parts of being a hippie are definitely embodied”, customer Crystal Angersola said.
It’s the emotional connection that cannot be faked. Customers — whether they’re shopping or browsing — can often tell when a business is built from the heart. In this case, City Hippie’s love shows up everywhere: in the packaging, in the hand-mixed flavors, and in the care taken with each and every order.
”I believe food is made with love. And if I’m not feeling the love, then the food’s not gonna taste good,” McCarthy said. With City Hippie being an online business, McCarthy takes full advantage of the ability to curate small-batch, artisanal flavors that flourish on your taste buds. The company offers a creative and unique range of flavors like Snickerdoodle, Coconut Lime, and Savory Parmesan Rosemary. Whether you’re a sweet-tooth snacker or a savory snacker, City Hippie will fulfill your needs.
But it didn’t always start off that way. In fact, the idea of the brand wasn’t intended at all. “I was down at the West Side Market, and I was buying maple syrup to make granola. And I said something effective to my mother, who was shopping with me, and this woman says, ‘Oh, you make granola?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ She said, ‘Can you do flavors?’ And I was like, of course, I have tons of flavors,” McCarthy said. McCarthy’s journey is truly inspiring, even if it’s simple: from law firm to entrepreneurship, taking the leap to follow her passion, and trusting and staying true to her values.
”I really like purchasing from City Hippie because I’m supporting a local brand, a very small business, and a woman-owned business as well. And in that way, I feel it has a more personal meaning to me and my family,” Eshbaugh said. With City Hippie, the unique flavors also come with a unique background. McCarthy’s goal of transparency through her business is evident in the high level of customer satisfaction. “I mean, that’s why she’s literally the only granola I will purchase — because she uses fantastic ingredients, and they’re the highest quality,” customer Angersola said.
City Hippie is a constant reminder that food can be both nourishing and joyful, without having to compromise one or the other. Meghan McCarthy isn’t only selling granola; she’s offering a celebration of whole ingredients and originality. Whether grabbing a handful to go or adding crunch to your breakfast, it’s not just about the granola, but who’s behind it and the difference it makes.
