Lake Forest-Based Hungry Monkey Baking Company Launches Social Distancing Treat Boxes

The Hungry Monkey Baking Company, of Lake Forest, Illinois is now selling “Social Distancing Treats Boxes” to send to friends and loved ones who are socially distancing. The company was also recently featured by Howie Mandel, comedian and America’s Got Talent judge, on an online shopping show, talkshoplive.  Mandel’s show was created to help small businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hungry Monkey Baking owner/baker Cindy Kienzle said that she normally sells her products primarily locally at all five Sunset Foods locations, at Olivia’s Market in Chicago, and via home delivery through Fresh Picks. “When the mandate to observe social distancing became prevalent, stores started selling out and people were calling me directly to package gift boxes to send to friends."

“They wanted to share our crazy good, small-batch, natural sweets with loved ones (or themselves) across the country. As a result, I developed the ‘’Social Distancing Treats Box”—which also keeps our bakers working,” she said. The boxes sell for $26 and feature Hungry Monkey’s signature and top-selling items: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (14 oz.), Original Banana Bread (14 oz.) and two bags of Triple Chocolate Brownies bags (9 oz. each). The Social Distancing Treats Box is only available online at talkshoplive. They also offer a reduced price on shipping.

“I was incredibly blessed to be featured by Howie Mandel in an hour-long showcase to support American small businesses,” said Kienzle. “He encouraged viewers to purchase a ‘Social Distancing Treats Box’ for loved ones and those working in the emergency services and on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the orders poured in, I was touched that many did, indeed, send our treats box to people working in the front lines all across the country.”

Kienzle says: ‘’We can’t thank Howie and the team at talkshoplive enough for helping small businesses like ours survive in these challenging times. This is a game-changer for us, and we will forever be grateful.”

“To show our appreciation, we are donating 100 loaves of our banana bread in Howie Mandel’s name to the staff working on the front lines at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. Additionally, a portion of sales through talkshoplive are going to the No Kid Hungry charity."