100% of Profits Go to LIFT Communities in the Bronx
My Story
My name is Will Moller. I'm a Senior at Riverdale Country School in Bronx, NY, and I'm the founder of Bronx Energy Bars.
I believe that an unhealthy diet is an underlying cause of inequality in this country. The choice I made to start eating healthy in 8th grade set off a domino effect of positive change in my life. It deeply disappoints me that millions of hard working Americans are unable to make that same change because they lack consistent access to healthy food. I started a social enterprise called Bronx Energy Bars to close the gap in nutrition and create equal opportunity in New York City.
In the South Bronx, 37% of families are food insecure and 99% qualify for free or reduced lunches. To increase access to healthy foods while also promoting a nutritious diet, I decided to create and sell energy bars and donate the proceeds to LIFT Communities in the Bronx. I developed two healthy, all-natural nut and oat energy bar recipes and found a licensed commercial kitchen to produce them.
I later realized, however, that fighting food insecurity takes more than just raising money. In the majority of food insecure neighborhoods, liquor stores, gas stations, and bodegas that sell ultra-processed, highly refined snack foods greatly outnumber grocery stores that sell fresh items. Simply raising money doesn't solve the systemic issues in underserved neighborhoods.
I decided to help families navigate their entrapping food system and become savvy consumers by creating an e-book to explain the basics of nutrition and healthy habits and show how to find healthy foods with limited options and financial resources available.
I also created bilingual Bronx Energy Bars cooking lessons for families working with LIFT communities to demonstrate that simple, healthy ingredients can make delicious alternatives to processed, packaged snacks.
In addition, I'm looking to solve food insecurity on the macro level by raise awareness about the issue. To do so, I create infographics, publish short essays and curate statistics and articles on my social media and blog pages. My goal is to fight food insecurity one bar at a time.
About The Bars
Peanut Butter Banana Label:
Peanut Butter Banana
Nutrition Information:
Cranberry Orange Oat Label:
Cranberry Orange Oat
Nutrition Information:
How They're Made:
Peanut Butter Banana: Organic peanuts, quinoa, pea protein crisps, brown rice crisps, and banana chips are mixed together with a hot blend of agave syrup, peanut butter, brown rice syrup, sea salt, and vanilla extract.
Cranberry Orange Oat: Organic quinoa puffs, pea protein crisps, brown rice crisps, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, dried apricots, and gluten-free rolled oats are mixed with a hot blend of sunflower seed butter, agave syrup, brown rice syrup, house-made organic orange juice concentrate, sea salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
Check out our ingredient list and nutrition facts.
We're as real as it gets!
Where They're Made:
Every Bronx Energy Bar product is produced in an FDA licensed commercial kitchen.
Health Benefits by Each Organic Ingredient:
Agave is a low-glycemic sweetener that's anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting
Banana moderates blood sugar levels, improves digestive health, contains powerful anti-oxidants, and improves insulin sensitivity.
Quinoa is high in important minerals like iron and magnesium, high in antioxidants, and is a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids. It has a low glycemic index which regulates blood sugar levels.
Peanuts are a rich source of "good" fats, i.e., mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Peanuts are also a great source of plant based protein, vitamins and minerals.
Pea Protein Crisps are a complete protein that contain all 9 essential amino acids. They are rich in iron.
Brown Rice Syrup is a vegan, gluten-free substitute to refined sugar and corn syrup.
Vanilla provides delicious flavor and helps curb sugar intake
Sea Salt balances electrolytes, prevents muscle cramps and improves digestion. Sea salt is also a great source of minerals.
Cranberries are considered to be a superfood. They have been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and slow cancer progression.
Apricots boost skin health, eye health and gut health. They're high in potassium and antioxidants.
Pumpkin Seeds are high in antioxidants, magnesium, and fiber—a necessary ingredient in slowing the release of sugar into the bloodstream.
Rolled Oats can lower cholesterol levels and protect LDL cholesterol from damage. A rich source of fiber and antioxidants.
Cinnamon cuts the risk of heart disease and lowers blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is also high in antioxidants and is an anti-inflammatory.
Orange Juice is high in antioxidants and micronutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
The Ingredients in Action:
Bronx Energy Bars have a perfect blend of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that provide sustained energy and muscle recovery. The fast-acting carbohydrates from the agave syrup and brown rice syrup provide a boost of energy while the longer-lasting carbohydrates from ingredients high in fiber like rolled oats and quinoa sustain energy levels and lower insulin response. The natural, high-quality plant protein serves as the building block for lean tissue while the nuts and seeds supply mono- and poly-unsaturated fats that are necessary to our diets. Not only are the ingredients good for you, the bars also taste delicious!