The Joyful Food Co. (previously Consider It Joy Baking) started as a small bakery in 2015 but has quickly grown into Alabama’s only 100% gluten-free and Paleo-friendly food company. Now they’re growing again by adding a second location in Shops on Montevallo. The Joyful Food Co. offers a variety of prepared foods to go, including grain-free baked goods and since last year have been carrying Whole30-approved lunches, soups, and family dinner options. The Joyful Food Co. also offers convenient online ordering and local food delivery to much of the surrounding Birmingham area. Their meals are consistent with a Paleo lifestyle, and they provide offerings that are compatible with other lifestyles as well, including gluten/grain-free, dairy-free, Keto, Paleo, Whole30 and more. They are a resource for those dealing with food allergies, as they are peanut, soy, and corn-free and do not use artificial colors or preservatives.
Casey Howard, Vice President/Broker with Harbert Retail, represented The Joyful Food Co. in a deal expanding their business into a new 2,280 square foot retail location at Shops on Montevallo. Southpace represented the landlord. Through this growth, The Joyful Food Co. will be able to reach new markets including Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia, Crestline Park, and Crestwood. Shops on Montevallo is anchored by Planet Fitness along with Papa John’s, Bedzz Express, Subway, BenchMark Physical Therapy, and more. This new location will be an addition to The Joyful Food Co.’s successful location at Shades Mountain Plaza in Bluff Park.
Elizabeth Wood and Rebecca Wanagat are co-owners of The Joyful Food Co. and are excited about introducing their food to a new customer base. Founder Elizabeth Wood says, “Our Bluff Park location is tucked away and while many people make the drive or order delivery, we’ve been getting requests for years for a second location. We love the location on Montevallo Road and feel that this will be a convenient spot for people from many different Birmingham neighborhoods and suburbs to visit us.”
On whether The Joyful Food Co. is just for those following a gluten-free lifestyle, Wanagat says, “Eating clean and being more mindful of ingredients is becoming more mainstream whether you need to follow a special diet or not. Our customers appreciate that our meat and eggs come from local farms and that we are always transparent with our ingredients, many of which are organic.”
Wood adds, “Even as people are becoming more concerned with what they eat, their lives continue to get busier. It is so difficult to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal every night. Our customers love being able to serve their families food that they feel good about. And we love helping them do that.”