Bella's Releases New Cookie Lineup

Milton, DE - May 23, 2011 - Bella's Cookies begins its 6th year at the Historic Lewes Farmer's Market, Saturday May 28th. This year Bella's will be introducing several new products on opening day, and several other new items throughout the course of the summer. The first of these new products is a cookie made with white beans. Additional new offerings from the company's gluten-free category were also developed to meet growing demand.

"Our newest cookie is made with a twist on baking with beans... white beans; they took a lot of experimentation" said Kelly Leishear (President of Bella's Cookies) "the finished product is both delicious and healthy". Several months of research and development went into perfecting a cookie made with puréed white beans. Leishear wanted to build a cookie that was essentially fat-free, filled with protein, fiber, and still packed the taste of a Bella's cookie. The new cookie is called "Leguma Beach" and is made with puréed white beans, organic oats, chopped walnuts, and dark chocolate chunks. It is also made completely free of eggs and butter. Leishear is excited about this cookie, as being a former personal trainer to corporations such as General Electric, Bristol Myers-Squibb and AT&T in New York, she says, "it's something that both athletes and health minded people will enjoy, and it's just a great tasting snack". Along with the health benefits of the white beans, oats, walnuts, and dark chocolate each of their flavors mix perfectly to create a moist, classic cookie. They look to incorporate other varieties of beans into future cookies.

Bella's has seen a yearly increase in the number of people purchasing allergen-specific baking. Families and individuals are modifying the way they hold birthday parties, dinner parties, weddings, and events by having gluten-free, vegan, or egg-free options either available or exclusive. In keeping with that demand, Bella's gluten-free product line has several new additions this summer. The first is a new gluten free mixed berry breakfast cookie. Originally created as meal replacers for the Leishear's children on their drive to preschool, breakfast cookies were quickly embraced by hospitals, schools and people simply wanting a healthy snack any time of day. Traditionally made with organic whole-wheat flour, a gluten-free breakfast cookie had to be designed devoid of this main ingredient and was made with a combination of gluten-free flours and gluten-free oats. As with their entire line of Breakfast Cookies, these are also made with no eggs or dairy. A second new product is a gluten-free oatmeal Whoopie Pie. Two gluten-free organic oatmeal cookies are sandwiched between a sweet confectioner cream filling. "The traditional Whoopie pie we sell at the farmers market is always a big hit," said Leishear "this gives those that need to follow a gluten-free diet an opportunity to taste something only others had available to them before". Additionally a new dessert item is a gluten-free, agave-sweetened cheesecake. This item is also available in area restaurants and eateries this summer - a listing of establishments is on their website.

Bella's Cookies, Inc. is a natural & organic bakery in Milton, DE. Ordering, including custom baked goods and desserts for those with food allergies, can be done online at www.bellascookies.com, or by calling 302-684-8152.

Bella's Cookies Family Shares Recipes In Southern Living

Milton, DE. - January 9th 2007 - You won't find a mention of Bella's Cookies in Southern Living magazine this month... but you will find owner Kelly Leishear and her family (Mark, Bella & Liam) sharing 3 healthy recipes for families to try in the New Year.

Planning over a year in advance, then arriving in May of this past year, Southern Living magazine visited the Leishear family home in Milton, DE. Their purpose: to spotlight healthy vegetarian fare (a first for the magazine's annual January "Healthy Living" section) and test some quick & easy power meals for families. During their 4 day visit, a crew consisting of a writer, photographer, chef & stylist re-arranged the Leishear household into "a place that we had to clean up and re-arrange every night after they left" (said Mark Leishear, laughing). "They focused on exercise & how our family exercises, what we eat, how our children eat" (said Mark) "a lot of material didn't make the magazine, but it's fantastic." There are 3 recipes profiled in the magazine; a Vegetarian Chili, Tomato-Spinach Penne, and a Peanut-Broccoli Stir Fry. "The Tomato-Spinach Penne is my personal favorite" said Leishear "in fact, we just recently made this dish for a Holiday dinner party." The recipes are available at Southern Living magazine's website to print and review.

Southern Living's January 2008 issue is currently on newsstands in area supermarkets & bookstores.

Southern Living is a national, monthly publication from the Southern Progress Corporation, a subsidiary of Time, Inc.

# # #

Holiday Offerings Released By Bella's Cookies

Milton, DE - Bakers of Bella's Cookies are announcing a new line of Holiday offerings available now through December 31st at both their online store and through select natural food store retailers. Several new types of cookies, candies and desserts are making the list this year, with a special focus on varieties to suit those with certain food allergies or intolerances.

"Holidays treats, especially those baked during December, always hold a special appeal to just about everyone" says Mark Leishear (Director of Sales & Marketing for Bella's Cookies) "as Bella's has become a staple for those looking for cleaner ingredients in their baked goods, our growth has also increased by those with food intolerances or allergies." Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Vegan, and Nut-Free are some of the leading food allergies found among people of all ages and Bella's is making a large selection of this year's holiday offerings available to cater to those needs. Gluten-Free and Vegan pies such as pumpkin & sweet potato are available this year as well as a selection of cakes from their dessert collection. Candy from their Verdi Good line is naturally gluten-free, with some of the most popular selections being English Toffee (Dinosaur Crunch), Fudge (Peanut Butter, Chocolate & Coconut Crème), and Chocolate Peanut Brittle. In addition to these offerings, customers can find new sweet breads, muffins, tortes, and cookies.

Cookies are the mainstay product for Bella's and varieties include their Signature Collection (natural & organic), Vegan, Gluten-Free, Agave Sweetened (suitable for Diabetics), and a new line of Gluten-Free/Casein Free cookies. Holiday cookies return in the form of their Silver Lake shortbread (a chocolate caramel creation), Jam shortbread (made with locally produced jam), Snowballs (Russian tea cakes), and many others. "The Holiday Tin is one of our most popular items during the season" says Leishear "it's filled with an assortment of cookies, candy and other treats". Customers across the country seek out Bella's during the Holiday season specifically for this item and ship tins to places as far away as the Middle East, Europe and Canada.

Bella's has also partnered with Good News Natural Foods in Dover and Milford to make ordering and picking up these selections easier for those living north of the Delaware Beaches. "We will have order forms, from which customers can choose a variety of selections, and then have them delivered fresh to our store" said Sharon Fields (co-owner of Good News Natural Foods). Holiday offerings vary in price by the type of product ordered; most items range from $4 - $40. Bella's online store is open 24 hours a day, and the bakery 6 days a week during the month of December.

Questions about products or ordering can be answered by calling 302-684-8152 or through the website at www.bellascookies.com.

# # #

Bella’s Cookies is a vegan and gluten-free bakery located at 18572 Cool Spring Rd in Milton, Delaware, serving families and businesses across Coastal Delaware and Delmarva.