Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

2015 Diamond Alum: Joshua Fegles, Owner of Jude’s Foods

Photos and story by James Hill

Joshua Fegles of Corvallis has grown his food business, Jude’s Foods, into one of Portland’s fastest growing companies that specialize in gluten- and dairy-free products. In addition, he has spent time mentoring traditional and nontraditional students in higher education to build their skills, attitudes, and beliefs necessary to being successful in college.

Fegles got his business start by taking the “Getting Your Recipe to Market” class at Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center. Fegles had just created a gluten- and dairy-free chocolate chip cookie recipe, and he wanted to share it with the world. The SBDC provided him with ongoing business advising that has given Fegles guidance and direction at every stage of his company’s development, including his business and growth strategy.

“That class was exactly what I needed when I was starting out,” Fegles said. “‘Getting Your Recipe to Market’ and ongoing business advising from the SBDC have been critical pillars in the creation of my business. The PCC program was such a great boot camp experience. Without it, I most likely wouldn’t be in business. I probably wouldn’t have even known where to start.”

The idea for Jude’s Foods came about when his son Jude, 8, was diagnosed with autism at the same time that Fegles discovered he was gluten and dairy intolerant. By eating differently as a family, Jude and his father both saw improved health. Today, Jude’s Foods is expanding across the Northwest and sells its cookies in all 15 locations of New Seasons Markets, and in Nature’s Choice Lamb’s Market.

“I’ve always had a heart for service and a genuine care for others; these values have directed me in my career,” Fegles added. “My hope is that what I do in my life is a blessing to others, and this is central to the mission of Jude’s Foods.”