Popular vegan marshmallows and other treats made in LIC

Image source: veganheathen on Flickr

It’s hot chocolate season, which means it’s marshmallow season – which can lead to moral dilemmas for the vegetarians and vegans out there. Most marshmallows are made with gelatin, an animal product. To the rescue comes Sweet & Sara, a vegan marshmallow company based right in Long Island City. You can actually see the factory from the 7 train, just west of the 33rd Street stop.

The vegan sweets company has been around for five years, ever since Sara Sohn, a vegan for over 20 years, figured out how to make marshmallows without animal products. Sohn, who grew up in Woodside, opened up her first commercial kitchen space in a small Woodside/Sunnyside storefront in 2007. Now the 10-person staff includes her parents, the treats are sold all over the country, and the company has been featured on the Food Network.

Image source: Veganbaking.net on Flickr – peanut butter smores

Sohn’s vegan marshmallows come in fun flavors like toasted coconut and cinnamon pecan. Sweet & Sara also sells rice crispy bars, organic macaroons, and s’mores treats that resemble the Korean Choco-Pies that Sohn grew up eating.

You can order Sweet & Sara products online, or find them at these Queens locations:

• Broadway Natural, Astoria (GMAP)
• Fresh Start Organic Market, Astoria (GMAP)
• Food Cellar, LIC (GMAP)
• Sweet & Sara factory (by appointment only), LIC (GMAP)