When Judy Magliane started her Midwest Paradise freeze-dried candy business in October 2021, Bratchers Market in Montgomery City became the first grocery store to sell her products.

Now, as Magliane’s business approaches its fifth anniversary, more and more stores across Missouri – from Columbia to Springfield – are selling her freeze dried candy treats.

“I’m in six Fast Lanes, six Hy-Vees and all nine Moser’s,” said Magliane, who operates her business at her home off Highway B, 10 minutes west of Montgomery City. “I’m in over 40 places now. Isn’t that crazy?”

Midwest Paradise offers a variety of freeze-dried foods including fruit, vegetables, candy, ice cream treats and cheesecake as well as jewelry. The freeze-dried foods come in numerous flavors such as Skittles, Paradise Crunch, Worms, Puffy Clusters, Fruitylicious Mix, Seasonal Surprise, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Airheads, Salt Water Taffy, Starburst Minis and Marshmallow Madness. 

“I’ve started to do pickles and blueberries,” Magliane said.

Midwest Paradise was named Missouri’s Best for freeze-dried candy by Missouri Magazine for the last two years. Magliane, a Pennsylvania native, said she hopes her business will continue to be successful in 2026.

“As we begin the new year, our business is committed to three main goals: continuing to help our community, learning from and supporting other small businesses and growing in ways that allow us to better serve our customers,” Magliane said. “We believe that when local businesses work together, the whole community benefits.”

Magliane visited Bratchers on Jan. 7 to present a pair of $150 checks to the store, one from the Montgomery City NRG Packs and the other from the Wellsville Buddy Pack program.

For every 1,000 packages purchased, Midwest Paradise writes a $100 check to the organization of their choosing selected by their headquarters or individual store level. So far, the business has made donations to the Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus, Montgomery County Senior Center, Montgomery City Chamber of Commerce, multiple high schools and public libraries, Grow2Gather, Women In Age and Kiwanis.

Midwest Paradise participated in the Buy Missouri Day at the Capitol event in Jefferson City for the last three years. One year, it was one of two businesses to be introduced while the House of Representatives was in session.

Midwest Paradise is now selling on Temu, which is an online marketplace.

“Who would have ever thought that a little Missouri-made business would be selling bundle made packs on Temu?” Magliane said.

Magliane came up with the name Midwest Paradise when she started her business in 2021. The business’ logo includes a Pekin duck, a rainbow and some candy. The business fulfilled her dream she had in third grade, when she wanted to make treats that travel to space.

“We wanted something that identifies the Midwest because I’m not from here,” Magliane said. “My husband (Rodney Richardson) actually came up with the Paradise part because he’s like, ‘Let’s get something that people are intrigued by.’”

Magliane makes her products on a freeze-dried machine at her home that runs all of the time. 

“It looks like a front load washing machine that has a door that opens,” Magliane said. “But inside, there’s a healing element that has trays on it. It freezes, it vacuum-freezes and it dries and then it vacuum dries the product. 98 percent of the moisture is removed through sublimation. Everything like ice cream sandwiches and cheese cake, you never have to refrigerate again.”

Magliane said she wants to get a building for her business, so to generate more income, she collaborates and sells products for Red Ox Distillery in Foristell and Big Meat Spice Company in Holts Summit.

“We’re helping each other grow.” Magliane said. “It’s hard to get a small business. So I’m helping them grow their businesses and they’re helping me grow mine.”

For more information, contact Magliane at 803-518-6823 or midwestparadise@yahoo.com.