If you haven’t tried freeze-dried candy yet or need to restock on your favorite flavors, one family business in Boardman is ready to make your wildest dreams come true with their freeze-dried creations.
Tim and Amanda Karpinski are the owners of Galaxy Snax, located at 7510 Market St. in Boardman.
“We offer hundreds of varieties of freeze-dried candy as well as other viral snacks such as sour coated gushers, gummy mixes and freshly spun cotton candy. We also feature several other small businesses in the area so we carry lip gloss and baked goods as well,” said Amanda.
Amanda said she was looking for something fun to do from home to supplement the family’s income when she discovered people were freeze drying candy.
“I was a stay-at-home mom with autistic children. We were also looking into freeze drying since our kids struggle with texture in foods and prefer crunchy over chewy,” she said. “ It’s become very popular over the last few years, but we try to go outside of the box and freeze dry items that you can’t find elsewhere.”
How does freeze drying work?
All bags and containers of candy are $6 at Galaxy Snax in Boardman, owned by Tim and Amanda Karpinski. Amanda Karpinski
When candy is freeze dried, the moisture inside is removed allowing it to puff up and change in texture, according to Amanda.
“Freeze drying also can intensify the flavor,” she said. “For example, gummy peach rings will have the texture of Cheetos, salt water taffy will just melt in your mouth, snack cakes get crunchy like a sugar cookie, and marshmallows are similar to the dehydrated marshmallows in Lucky Charms. Just a new way to eat classic favorites.”
Amanda said that after researching, they learned about the Ohio Cottage Food Production Operation rules, which is the state’s outline for how to sell freeze-dried candy safely and legally.
“Cottage laws don’t allow you to freeze dry from home in Ohio, so we decided to just go for it and start a business,” she said.
Last May, the Karpinskis opened Galaxy Snax on Market Street in Boardman.
“We even freeze dry candy from other countries. We also try to keep it affordable with all of our freeze dried candy being $6 per bag or container,” Amanda said. “We just want people to know that we’re a regular family just like the rest of them, and we are so humbled and thankful for the support that we’ve gotten on this journey.”
All bags and containers of candy are $6 at the shop.
“Our hope is that we will be able to grow enough to keep it going so that our special needs children will always have a safe, happy environment to work in, as well as some of their other buddies on the spectrum. That is our ultimate goal,” Amanda said. “We’re hoping for 2025 to be our best year yet.”
In 2025, they’re hoping to start freeze drying ice cream, as well as fruits and vegetables.
“We’re also going to be adding other sweets options such as fudge, chocolate bark, and loaf cakes for people who are more into baked goods than freeze dried candy. We will be adding fun candies, chips, and drinks from around the world to our shop as well,” she said.
“We so enjoy getting to meet new customers and chat with them. It’s not easy being a small business in this economy, so we truly, genuinely appreciate every person who chooses us over big box stores,” she added. “Keep an eye on our Facebook to see new items as they come out.”
