Eco-friendly granola bar business grows roots

COLUMBIA — Sarah Newsome, 21, and Steven Adamski, 23, began making granola bars during the summer of 2007 as treats for themselves. After friends offered rave reviews, the two decided to go public.

Their granola bar company, Herbal Oats, offers four varieties, all of which are wrapped in biodegradable plastic made from tree pulp.

Newsome and Adamski make about 270 bars each week after hours at Café Berlin and sell their product at Lakota Coffee Co., Clover’s Natural Market, Café Berlin, the Root Cellar, the Columbia Farmers’ Market and, in the fall, Café Fresco at MU.