This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Blue Chip Group founder Phil Augason was a consummate entrepreneur. Phil passed away last year, but before he died, he greatly expanded the product line and business platform of Blue Chip Group in Salt Lake City. His wife, Jacquie, and his two sons, Jeff and Mark, have continued to manage the business and lead it through a period of dramatic growth.

Blue Chip Group now occupies three buildings and offers a wide variety of food products at its Salt Lake City retail location. However, a large portion of its growing business comes from an increase in wholesale blending, local and national distributors, food storage and its Web site, BlueChipGroup.net.

More than 35 years ago, Phil developed a nutritious milk alternative and named it "Morning Moo's." It is more economical than regular milk, has a long shelf life and tastes great for storage and everyday use. It also comes in chocolate, strawberry and orange flavors that children love.

Before Phil passed away, he recognized a growing need for people with Celiac Spru disease to find food products that do not contain any wheat, grain, barley or oats. Blue Chip Group has a dedicated facility and offers a wide variety of gluten-free mixes and products. I tried the pastas made of alternate flours and found them delicious. You can also buy gluten-free cake, muffin, cookie and bread mixes.

Thanks to entrepreneur Phil Augason, people who suffer from gluten intolerance are able to enjoy food without fear, and they can do it economically as well.

It is so interesting to see what happens when a man like Phil Augason has the entrepreneurial spirit and a dream of the future. He and his family have built Blue Chip Group into a dynamic company that has become a blessing in the lives of many people.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

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