FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — September 29, 2026 - Dierbergs Markets is spotlighting Max Mix Gourmet Spice Blends this October, with proceeds from every jar sold benefiting the Gateway Down Syndrome Association.

 

Max Mix was founded by Max Crawford, a young entrepreneur with Down syndrome who grew up around competition BBQ thanks to his dad and uncle. What started as homemade spice blends given as Christmas gifts to teachers, paraprofessionals, family and friends grew into requests for refills — and eventually, a business.

 

Launched in fall 2023 with funding from Max's high school graduation gifts and support from his parents and sister Maggy, Max Mix was built around Max's path toward long-term independence. The company's mission extends beyond Max himself: to provide employment and job training for others with special abilities, and to raise awareness of the lack of meaningful, respectful employment opportunities in the special needs community.

 

"I love making spices that people really enjoy on their food," said Max, founder of Max Mix. "It makes me proud to know I'm running my own business and showing what I can do."

 

The Max Mix lineup including Mad Dog Magic BBQ, Pork Mix, Steak Mix, and Chicken & Fish Mix are available at Dierbergs stores. Each blend is crafted with clean high-quality ingredients. All four blends are gluten-free, kosher, and contain no MSG, and three of the four blends are completely sugar-free.

 

Throughout October, Max Mix and Dierbergs will each donate $1 for every jar sold to Gateway Down Syndrome Association, which serves, supports, and celebrates the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families at every stage of life.

 

"We love supporting entrepreneurs like Max who are building something meaningful in our community," said Laura Dierberg Padousis, executive vice president at Dierbergs Markets. "His mission to create employment opportunities for others with special abilities is one we're proud to help advance, one jar at a time."

 

About Dierbergs Markets
Founded in 1854, Dierbergs Markets is a family-owned supermarket chain serving the greater St. Louis region with 29 locations across Missouri and Illinois and offers delivery through an online store. Known for quality, service and innovation, Dierbergs offers fresh foods, catering, floral and convenient shopping solutions for today’s customer. www.dierbergs.com

 

About Max Mix Gourmet Spice Blends

Max Mix was founded by Max, a young entrepreneur with Down syndrome, after years of making spice blends as gifts for teachers, paraprofessionals, family and friends. Launched in fall 2023, the company creates gourmet, no-MSG, gluten-free, kosher spice blends – with three of four blends completely sugar free – while working toward a larger mission: providing independence for Max, creating employment and job training opportunities for others with special abilities, and raising awareness of the lack of meaningful, respectful employment in the special needs community. For more information about Max Mix, visit www.themaxmix.com.

 

Media Contact:
Kate Tuttle
[email protected]