Once we tasted Power Bites, we had to hear more so we sat down with local entrepreneur & creator of this delicious treat, Sharif Rasheed.
What are PowerBites!?
A delicious, nutritional granola square filled with high-quality ingredients.
What inspired you to create PowerBites!?
My son, who is a rather picky eater (or shall we say “has a discriminating palate”) inspired me to make something that he would enjoy. He was teething, so I was looking to make him a soft granola bar. When I went to cut it after letting it set, it broke into nice squares. I loved the look and convenience of a small, chewable square. I handed my son a “bite” and the rest is history.
Can you tell us about the nutritional value PowerBites! offers?
We offer two tasty and nutritious options: Almond Butter Crunch and Salted Peanut Butter Crunch. A full bag is filling and each bite will leave you more energized. We’re happy to provide our customers with a snack that’s made from ingredients that aren’t hard to pronounce or for the body to process.
- Almond Butter Crunch is filled with nutrient-rich almonds, almond butter, cacao and dates, which gives you natural energy and protein in each bite. Spiced with the perfect amount of cinnamon and sweetened with dates and maple. Almond Butter Crunch PowerBites! Only has 200 calories, these nutritious bites will give you the energy to power through your day!
- Salted Peanut Butter Crunch is filled with peanut butter, peanut butter protein, cacao, chia seeds powder, flaxseed and sea salt. Naturally sweetened with dates and maple. PowerBites!, with 11g of protein and 6g of fiber, will give you the boost of energy you need.
Where do you source your ingredients?
Whenever possible, we source the ingredients locally. We commit to doing this because of our dedication to contributing to other small businesses and suppliers in the region. We find them at the local co-op, Whole Foods, and online. Despite the challenges brought by Covid-19, we continue to use organic ingredients.
What are the flavors of PowerBites!
- Almond Butter Crunch – almond rich spiced bites with the perfect balance of salty and sweet with a cacao crunch.
- Salted Peanut Butter Crunch – salty protein packed peanut butter with a cacao crunch.
Do you see yourself producing other flavors of PowerBites! or products in the future?
Definitely! The door is always open for new flavors. I have always been creative, so my experience in culinary school always has me thinking and experimenting with what could be next. We aim to be the snack company for the people and the right choice for a variety of people. Whether on the way to work, before or after a workout, or just the perfect choice while lounging, we want to be the tasty choice and the healthy choice, without sacrificing either or feeling guilty after you’ve indulged. In the future, we will offer a greater variety of flavors and other products that fall in line with our company values.
Where can you buy PowerBites!?
- Whole Foods (East Liberty – Aisle 11) – 5880 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
- The Goods Mart NYC – 189 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013
- East End Food Co-Op – 7516 Meade St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
You can order online at www.eatpowerbites.com On the site we have a Where to buy section and that can be found at www.eatpowerbites.com/bite-locator
For all other PowerBites! news follow the hashtag #eatpowerbites to stay connected as we continue to grow and expand. Once you’ve tried PowerBites, we would love it if you shared it on your social media, along with our hashtag #eatpowerbites. Let us know how it has fueled your day!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.