Frequently Asked Questions

What health benefits might I derive from a high-fiber diet?

According to the Mayo Clinic,, a high-fiber diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, by helping you manage your weight, lower your cholesterol levels and control your blood sugar levels.

However, you should consult your doctor before switching to a high-fiber diet, because you may have a health problem that requires a low-fiber diet. Also, if your doctor says it's safe for you to go on a high-fiber diet, be sure to drink plenty of water to help fiber move through your digestive system, and if you're not used to a high-fiber diet, don't increase your intake of fiber too quickly. A high-fiber diet should be adopted gradually to avoid potentially painful bloating, gas, and cramping.

What are the health benefits of a gluten-free and/or dairy-free diet?

Many people have gluten and dairy sensitivities or allergies which can cause inflammation and digestive problems. If this applies to you, reducing or eliminating your intake of gluten and dairy products can help you address these problems.

Are honey and maple syrup really better for you than refined sugar?

Honey and maple syrup both have a lower glycemic index than refined sugar. This means they cause your blood sugar levels to rise more gradually than refined sugar, which is better for your body. Also, honey and maple syrup contain minerals that aren't found in refined sugar, as the refining process removes all natural nutrients. However, honey and maple syrup should still be consumed in moderation.

How much honey or maple syrup do you put into your products?

Only a small amount of organic honey or maple syrup goes into Sunflower Cottage Foods products. For example, one Organic Cardamom Pistachio Almond Cookie contains only one teaspoon of organic honey, and one ounce of Organic Walnut Cherry Maple Nutmeg Granola contains one and a half teaspoons of organic maple syrup.

Are all the ingredients you use USDA Certified Organic?

Yes, all ingredients used are USDA Certified Organic. This means they're produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or artificial additives. It also means the ingredients cost more than non-organic ingredients.

Where are your ingredients sourced from?

Ingredients are typically sourced from Amazon and Costco. Occasionally ingredients are sourced from Whole Foods or other vendors.

What brands of ingredients do you use?

Common brands include Frontier Co‑op, Kevala, Kirkland, Microingredients, One Degree, Spicy Organic, True Organic, Volupta, and Yupik.

What is the shelf life of your products and how fresh are they?

Our products contain very little moisture, no dairy or meat, and natural preservatives like salt, honey and maple syrup. As a result, they should stay fresh for several weeks when stored in a sealed, airtight container. However, refrigeration or freezing can significantly extend shelf life. Also, to ensure freshness, your order is baked after it's placed.

How do you calculate tax?

Taxes are automatically calculated by Shopify Tax Service based on:

The products in your cart
Your delivery address

Tax rates vary by product type, city, and county within Colorado.

Do you ship outside of Colorado?

Shipping is currently available only within Colorado. All products are made in accordance with the Colorado Cottage Foods Act, which limit sales and distribution to within the state.

How are your shipping rates calculated?

All shipping is handled via UPS Ground. Shopify automatically calculates shipping at checkout based on:

Your delivery address
The total weight of your order

Can you deliver my order instead of shipping it?

Orders will be delivered at no additional charge within the 80305 zip code area. Outside of this area, shipping is required.

Can I pick up my order?

Lisa's home is zoned as a low traffic residential area. As a result, the city of Boulder won't allow her to receive customers at her home.

Do you ever offer Point of Sale purchases?

Currently, all sales are being conducted online. Eventually, sales may be held at local farmer's markets.

How long will it take to receive my order once it's been placed?

Orders are typically baked within 2–3 business days
Orders for delivery within the 80305 zip code area are typically delivered within 1–2 business days after they're baked
Orders for shipping outside of the 80305 zip code area are typically shipped within 1-2 business days after they're baked, and delivered by UPS within 1–2 business days

What are your hours of operation?

Sunflower Cottage Foods is operated on a part-time basis, Tuesday through Thursday. This means, baking, packaging, shipping, delivery, and replies to customer inquiries are typically handled only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between 8AM and 5PM.

What is your return policy?

Due to freshness concerns, products cannot be returned, even if unopened.

What do I do if my order is lost or damaged by UPS?

UPS automatically includes $100 insurance in its ground delivery fee. If the cost of your order, including tax and shipping, is more than $100, additional insurance will be purchased, at no extra charge to you.

Your order will be shipped in a sturdy cardboard box with brown packing paper to keep it from being damaged.

UPS has an excellent customer service record, and lost or damaged shipments are very rare.

However, if your order is lost or damaged:

Take photos of your shipment and send them to sunflowercottagefoods@gmail.com within 48 hours of delivery.
Keep the shipment (don't throw it away), in case UPS wishes to directly inspect it.
Lisa will initiate a UPS claim, which typically takes 8–10 business days to complete
Once the claims process is complete, Lisa will either refund your money or send you a replacement shipment, depending on your preference.

Who owns and operates Sunflower Cottage Foods?

Sunflower Cottage Foods is owned and operated by Lisa Forman in Boulder, Colorado. Lisa has a city‑issued business license to operate a micro‑bakery from her home kitchen, a current food handling safety certification, and three years experience cooking and baking in commercial kitchens.

What training or certifications are required to sell cottage foods in Colorado?

Colorado requires cottage food producers to:

Complete a food handling safety course
Follow nationally recognized food‑safety practices, including:
- Wearing single‑use gloves and hair restraints
- Regularly sanitizing equipment and prep areas
- Keeping pets out of food‑prep and packaging areas while food is being produced and packaged