Our Story

LILY’S was built around a simple idea: people should be able to enjoy a sweet treat without setting aside the food choices that matter to them. Its roots trace back to Philadelphia and Cynthia Tice, whose interest in natural foods and mindful eating began well before better-for-you products became a familiar trend. After completing her education in 1978, Cynthia opened Center Foods, a neighborhood natural foods store. Through that work, she helped customers explore alternative foods and learn more about the ingredients in the products they purchased.

Her interest in intentional eating later became a personal undertaking. In 2003, Cynthia chose to eliminate sugar from her diet. While she was committed to changing her habits, giving up chocolate proved especially difficult. Instead of deciding that chocolate could no longer be part of her life, she began considering whether it might be possible to make a satisfying version without added sugar. That personal search gradually developed into the idea for a new confectionery business.

The concept took a major step forward in 2010, when Cynthia joined forces with her longtime friend Chuck Genuardi to launch LILY’S. Together, they set out to create chocolate and other sweets that offered enjoyable flavor while providing options for people seeking alternatives to conventional sugar-based treats. From the outset, the aim was to balance the pleasure of a familiar indulgence with ingredient choices that could suit different preferences.

Ingredient selection became a central part of the company’s approach. Product development considered standards such as non-GMO sourcing and gluten-free formulations, while traditional refined sugar was not used as the main sweetening ingredient. For qualifying products, cocoa and unsweetened chocolate ingredients have also been associated with Fair Trade certified sourcing. These choices reflect an interest in the origins of ingredients as well as the finished product.

Fair Trade sourcing has been one notable aspect of this philosophy. Certain cocoa and cocoa butter suppliers participate in programs intended to encourage fairer compensation and support producing communities. Fair Trade USA is a nonprofit organization that establishes certification standards designed to promote more equitable supply-chain relationships. By working with qualifying sources, the company aims to help customers better understand the people and communities connected to important chocolate ingredients.

Ingredient and sourcing standards may differ across the product range. Recipes can use different suppliers and formulations, so customers with specific requirements should review the information for each item. For instance, suppliers of the Peanut Butter Flavor Baking Chips certify that the ingredients they provide are not genetically engineered. The package and ingredient statement for the particular product remain the most reliable sources for its composition and sourcing details.

Giving back to the community has also been part of the company’s broader values. A portion of earnings has been directed to charitable organizations and causes that reflect its areas of interest. This commitment expresses the belief that making enjoyable food can go hand in hand with contributing to communities beyond the business itself.

Dietary suitability is another factor for shoppers considering the range. The products are not generally described as entirely vegan, although some varieties are formulated without animal-derived ingredients. These may include certain dark and extra dark chocolate bars, as well as selected baking chips and baking bars. However, dairy products may also be handled in manufacturing facilities. People with dairy allergies or strict dietary requirements should check the current package and allergen information rather than assuming that a recipe without dairy ingredients is free from potential cross-contact.

The company’s sweetening choices are another distinguishing feature. Its recipes do not use certain ingredients that some consumers prefer to avoid, including maltitol, maltodextrin, and dextrose. Some products may contain soluble corn fiber, which can also be referred to as dextrin. The label terminology was updated to use “soluble corn fiber,” a term more familiar in food labeling. Despite the similarity in wording, soluble corn fiber serves a different purpose from the sweeteners excluded from the recipes.

Product formulas have continued to develop over time. Customer feedback has helped guide decisions about flavor and texture, and the company has tested multiple recipes and conducted taste evaluations with existing consumers. Comparing different versions helped identify a formulation that performed more favorably in consumer testing.

One significant recipe adjustment involved the cacao percentage in the milk chocolate formula. It was changed from 40 percent to 36 percent as part of an effort to create a more balanced taste. The decision was not based on the assumption that more cacao would automatically make a better chocolate. Consumer testing indicated that the revised recipe was preferred over several alternatives, including versions with higher cacao percentages.

The updated formulation also responded to specific comments about the earlier chocolate. Some consumers wanted less bitterness, fewer unusual sweet notes, and a texture that felt less dry. Development work therefore focused on a smoother, richer, and creamier profile while preserving the ingredient principles associated with the products.

This process highlights how consumer perspectives can influence product development. Recipes may be adjusted when testing and customer experiences reveal opportunities to improve them. By reviewing feedback, trying different ingredient combinations, and comparing taste results, the company can work to retain qualities customers value while refining aspects that affect enjoyment.

The company’s story extends beyond making chocolate without added sugar. It brings together a longstanding interest in natural foods, personal dietary experimentation, alternative sweeteners, ingredient sourcing, product innovation, charitable involvement, and customer feedback. These elements have helped shape a business focused on offering more ways to enjoy familiar sweets while considering individual food preferences.

The journey began with Cynthia Tice’s work in a Philadelphia natural foods store and her early commitment to helping people explore different food choices. Her decision to stop eating sugar eventually raised a practical question: could chocolate remain part of an enjoyable routine? That personal challenge became the basis for a business idea and, with Chuck Genuardi’s involvement, led to the founding of LILY’S in 2010.

Since then, ingredient standards and consumer expectations have continued to influence the range. Responsible sourcing, alternative sweeteners, recipe testing, dietary information, and customer feedback all play a role in how products are assessed and refined. The company’s development illustrates how an individual search for a different food option can grow into a wider effort to create sweets for people with varied preferences.

For customers, this background helps explain why ingredient choices and formulation decisions remain important to the product philosophy. The goal is not simply to replace conventional sugar, but to make sweets that still provide an enjoyable chocolate experience while offering alternatives that may better fit certain eating patterns.

Because recipes and product offerings may change, customers should consult current packaging and product information for the latest details. Ingredient composition, sourcing, dietary characteristics, and certifications can vary from one item to another. Reviewing the specific product is especially important for anyone with dietary preferences, allergies, or ingredient restrictions.

From its beginnings in a Philadelphia natural foods shop to the creation of a dedicated chocolate and confectionery range, LILY’S reflects a continuing effort to make alternative food choices more accessible. Personal inspiration, thoughtful ingredients, responsible sourcing, community support, recipe development, and consumer involvement remain central to the story behind the brand.

Add a clearer brand-story heading structure