our story

Michelle Carfagno’s passion for baking began at 8 years old. After spending most of her free time in college baking for others she knew that creating recipes and sharing them with others was her passion. In 2012, after her sister and grandfather were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Michelle saw how much they struggled to find safe food.  She knew other families were suffering like hers, so she set out on a mission to change that and decided to turn her hobby into a business. Starting with the food her family missed the most, a bagel. Not just a bread with a hole in the middle but a true NY style bagel taste and texture (amazingly chewy inside with a great crust on the outside).

After 15 tries, the recipe was born and Michelle started going door to door to cafes in Philadelphia, until she found some that were willing to give her bagel a try. Despite the first order being merely 3 bagels, Michelle persisted and eventually word grew and The Greater Knead expanded into more cafes, and then retail stores and online. 

As the brand grew so did the focus on being free-from all the top common allergens so that more people who have been excluded can connect with their favorite foods again. Being top 9 allergen-free is all about ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy crave worthy comfort foods together.

Today, the Greater Knead offers bagels, soft pretzel nuggets, bagel chips and a flour blend.

We are a certified Women Owned Business, Kosher Parve and SQF Level II certified. All of our products are certified gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, tree-nut free and egg-free. We source high quality, non-GMO ingredients, and no preservatives and no artificial ingredients.

The Problem: 

People with food allergies and food related chronic diseases must avoid the foods that contain even small amounts of their allergens/intolerance. Eating any amount can result in a severe reaction with life-threatening symptoms. But avoiding food allergens/intolerances is not always easy, especially for people on low incomes. With a limited budget and less access to grocery stores, free-from foods can be limited or not available at all.  One study reported that 21% of children with food allergies experienced food insecurity (defined as not having enough food or the right kinds of food to eat).  

Our Solution:

In addition to making delicious and safe products, we give back from every purchase made of our products.  A portion of the proceeds goes directly to organizations that help those struggling with food insecurity and food allergies. We currently support the following non-profit organizations:

The Food Equality Initiative, (FEI) fights for nutrition security and health equity for all. To accomplish the mission, FEI works to improve health through diet and community engagement. FEI steps in at the intersection of food insecurity and diet-treated or managed conditions through enrolling under-resourced children and adults in its flagship program, Food Is Medicine Access Program (FIMAP), providing 12 months of direct-to-door food delivery service. FEI also raises public awareness of the importance of food as medicine interventions and advocates for equitable food and healthcare policies.

Garden of Health Inc a local Pennsylvania Food Bank. They distribute fresh produce and food free of the top nine allergens to food pantries in the Pennsylvania area.  In 2022, they distributed over 400,000 pounds of food to over 50 food pantries and community organizations across Montgomery and Bucks Counties in Pennsylvania.

Securing Safe Food (SSF) is a national nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity among individuals with food allergies and improving access to allergen-free foods. Through partnerships, communication, research, and education, we aim to revolutionize food options for under-resourced, allergen-avoidant families by providing nutritionally balanced alternatives. Their vision is a world where individuals with dietary restrictions can enjoy meals without compromising their health, ensuring food security and inclusivity for all. SSF stocks food pantries with allergen-free food staples on a consistent basis to accommodate diverse dietary needs.
Donate to boost food equity and empower allergy-free nutrition: https://www.securingsafefood.org/donate