Blog, Summary15 Steve Hoffman Blog, Summary15 Steve Hoffman

Peak Performance: Superfoods from the Andes Mountains Power Everyday Active Lifestyles and Elite Sports Nutrition with Plant-based Protein Supplements, Now Available on Amazon from AWÁ Nutrition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peak Performance: Superfoods from the Andes Mountains Power Everyday Active Lifestyles and Elite Sports Nutrition with Plant-based Protein Supplements, Now Available on Amazon from AWÁ Nutrition

SANTA MONICA, CA (March 21, 2022) — AWÁ Nutrition plant-based smoothie mixes and nutritional supplements featuring ancestral superfoods sourced from the highlands of the Andes Mountains in South America are now available on Amazon.com. Until now, the sustainably sourced products were only available direct-to-consumer on the company’s website, www.awanutrition.com.

AWÁ Nutrition’s soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and non-GMO plant-based smoothie mixes combine ancient wisdom and modern nutrition in uniquely formulated blends – with no added sugar – that meet rising consumer demand for plant-based protein, nutrient-dense superfoods, ancient ingredients and convenient solutions for meals, snacks, post-workout recovery and energy boost in all natural, tasty tropical flavors from Ecuador.

Protein-packed, ancient Andean superfoods including the protein-rich Andean lupine, quinoa and peas in a proprietary blend provide a complete amino acid profile to AWÁ Nutrition’s smoothie mixes and shot packs. The superfoods are mixed with concentrates of tropical super fruits, like naranjilla, golden berry, Wild Andean blueberry, passion fruit, bananas, cacao and coconut, to create delicious products high in antioxidants, minerals and essential micro-nutrients.

Ancient Wisdom Powers Today’s Superfoods
“Ancient Wisdom” is one of the key macro forces driving 2022 food trends in the U.S., according to New Hope Network’s NEXT Data & Insights. “As consumers retreat from the common food system’s over-processed, less-than-satisfying products, innovators look to Ancient Wisdom for guidance…resurrecting the wisdom of ancient cultures.”

“The superfood ingredients AWÁ Nutrition sources from small-scale producers in the Andes have been powering people for over 5,000 years,” said AWÁ Nutrition Founder and CEO Felipe Guevara. “Foods such as the Andean Lupine (also known as chocho, tarwi and pearl lupin), which has the highest amount of protein of any legume, and quinoa have long provided highly digestible, plant-based protein sources for people. Combined with the benefits of super fruits grown in Ecuador and the Andes region, our products match ancestral tradition with today’s consumer’s desire for authentic, plant-based nutrition, fitness and a balanced diet,” he said.

“Further, we specially developed our smoothie blends to appeal to and serve the nutritional needs of everyday active lifestyles, as well as those of elite athletes striving for peak performance,” Guevara added.

Lifestyle Active and High Performance Products for All Fitness and Energy Needs

Ideal for meal replacement, breakfast, snack, post-workout recovery or any time consumers need an energy boost, AWÁ Nutrition supplements are available in two lines, all with healthy protein, carbs, fats (omega 3, 6 and 9) and antioxidants—and no artificial flavors or ingredients.

  • Lifestyle Active Series: For the everyday, healthy lifestyle consumer
    - Available in 6 Andean flavor mixes: Naranjilla (citrusy lemon-pineapple flavor), Andean Blackberry, Andean Wild Blueberry, Coconut, Cocoa and Passionfruit.
    - 11 g of plant protein from non-inflammatory sources
    - Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
    - Made with real fruit concentrates
    - No added sugars
    - Soy, gluten, dairy and GMO free

  • High Performance Series: For more serious athletes
    - Available in 4 Andean flavor mixes: Andean Berries, Tropical Splash, Ancestral Power and Jungle Shake
    - 21 g of plant protein from non-inflammatory sources
    - 3 billion CFU probiotics
    - Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
    - Made with real fruit concentrates
    - KETO friendly

AWÁ Nutrition smoothie mixes are NSF-GMP ANSI 455-2 Dietary Supplements certified, vegan, dairy free, soy free, gluten free and GMO free. A percentage of sales go directly to nutrition and sports projects that help disadvantaged families in rural Ecuador.

About AWÁ Nutrition
Based in Ecuador and with offices in Santa Monica, CA, the mission of AWÁ Nutrition is to promote an active lifestyle and encourage mindfulness of nutrition through unique and natural Andean plant-based nutritional products. We source from local, small-scale producers and cater to consumers who consciously seek out quality products with greater purpose. A direct percentage of sales of AWÁ Nutrition products go toward supporting social responsibility and nutrition and sports programs for disadvantaged communities in Ecuador.

For more information, visit www.awanutrition.com or visit AWÁ Nutrition’s home page on Amazon.com. Also, visit AWÁ Nutrition on FacebookInstagram and YouTube.

Contact
For retail, wholesale and distribution inquiries: Felipe Guevara, CEO, AWÁ Nutrition, fguevara@awanutrition.com
For media inquiries: Evan Tompros, Compass Natural, evan@compasnaturalmarketing.com

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Blog, Summary15 Steve Hoffman Blog, Summary15 Steve Hoffman

CHi Foods, a 2022 NEXTY Award Finalist, Launches the World’s First Certified Organic and Regenerative, Plant-based Pork Products at Natural Products Expo West

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHi Foods, a 2022 NEXTY Award Finalist, Launches the World’s First Certified Organic and Regenerative, Plant-based Pork Products at Natural Products Expo West

Made from nutrient-dense Sacha Inchi nuts, NEXTY judges said it could become the “other, other white meat!” Visit CHi Foods at Natural Products Expo West, Hot Products Hall, Booth #N1643.

SANTA BARBARA, CA (March 3, 2022) — CHi Foods, a new brand of organic plant-based proteins, will debut its products at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West, the world’s leading natural and organic products trade show, held March 8 – 12, 2022 in Anaheim, CA. The brand will launch four SKUs, including Original, Italian Herb, Chirizo and Maple Breakfast.

Launched earlier this year, CHi Foods company founders state their new CHi Organic Plant-Based Ground Pork is the world’s first line of Certified Organic plant-based pork. The company’s product was selected as a finalist for the 2022 Natural Products Expo West NEXTY Award for ‘Best New Product Supporting A Plant-Based Lifestyle’. The NEXTY awards recognize the most progressive, impactful and trustworthy products in the natural products industry.

CHi Foods is backed by an impressive slate of CPG industry veterans including Ahmed Rahim (Numi Tea), David Bronner (Dr. Bronner’s) and David Karr and Don Miguel (Guayaki). The company has additional funding from Conservation International and Amazonia Impact Ventures.

CHi meat is made from highly nutritious sacha inchi nuts, also known as CHi nuts. Grown in the tropics, sacha inchi nuts contain eight times the omega-3 content as salmon, and four times as much protein as macadamia nuts and zero net carbohydrates. The product, which tastes delicious and has the look, taste and texture of pork, took nearly a decade of research and development to create, say its founders.

Product Attributes:

  • USDA Certified Organic

  • Soy & Gluten Free

  • Top 9 Allergen Free

  • Keto & Paleo

  • Powered by regenerative proteins - CHi Nuts & Protein

Ethically Sourced, Certified Organic and Committed to Regenerative Agriculture
CHi Foods offers a line of plant-based meat products made from ethically sourced organic and regenerative ingredients from BIPOC farmers around the world. Co-founders Philip Matthew and Tucker Garrison created the company to bring integrity to plant-based meat and restore trust with consumers in the category. CHi Foods is an LGBTQ Certified diverse owned business.

Garrison, CHi Foods’ CEO/CFO, is an avid regenerative agriculture practitioner (and surfer), who has managed a 40-acre organic avocado ranch and has lived among indigenous communities in Bali, Guatemala and Peru. Philip Matthew, the brand’s CMO, is a technology integrations and marketing design expert, as well as a devoted cyclist.

A decade ago, the pair launched Imlak’esh Organics, a company and national brand that curates plant-based, keto, paleo and immunity-boosting functional snacks through ethical supply chains that benefit diverse small farmers around the world. Leading natural products distributor KeHE Foods recently selected Imlak’esh Organics to participate in the KeHE CAREtrade Program that recognizes and promotes mission-based brands that “advance a higher purpose, giving back to communities worldwide and working to truly make the world a better place.”

Like Imlak’esh products, CHi Foods products are USDA Certified Organic and made with ingredients grown with regenerative agriculture practices. All CHi Foods products are soy and gluten free, free of the top nine allergens, non-GMO, and keto and paleo. The company supports indigenous communities and working with a diverse supply chain, including BIPOC farmers in Thailand, Ecuador and Peru.

Lauded as the “Other, Other White Meat”

CHi Foods is debuting Four SKUS at Natural Products Expo West 2022, including:

  • Original - Lightly Seasoned

  • Chirizo

  • Italian Herb

  • Maple Breakfast

“Finally, a product that makes us want to see how the sausage is made,” wrote the NEXTY judges. “This food disruptor proves that technology can work in tandem with organic, regenerative supply chains… We see real potential for this product to become the other, other white meat,” they said in recognizing the most progressive, impactful and trustworthy products in the natural products industry.

Natural products industry experts highlighted CHimeat Organic Plant-Based Ground Pork as a hot product to watch during a recent webinar “Navigating Expo: The Hottest Trends and Products.” Plant-based foods, organic, diverse-owned companies and climate-friendly are among the trends SPINS and New Hope Network identified as driving growth in the natural products industry. CHi Foods products check all of these boxes.

Visit CHi Foods at Natural Products Expo West, Hot Products Hall, Booth #N1643.

For wholesale inquiries and to schedule a meeting at Natural Products Expo West, contact Tucker Garrison, CEO and Co-founder, CHi Foods, tucker@chifoods.us, 805.244.1750

About CHi Foods
We are CHi Foods, a revolutionary crew on a journey to transform plant-based meat from soil to shelf. As modern-day “Plant Hunters,” we journey to the rainforest to bring you nutritious, ethically sourced, whole food ingredients. We craft delicious, Certified Organic plant-based meats with bold heritage flavors to delight you and your community! Learn more at www.chifoods.us/ 

Media Contact
Evan Tompros, Compass Natural, evan@compasnaturalmarketing.com

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Butter Labeling Wars: Wisconsin Dairy Industry Takes On Plant-based “Butter”

Photo: Pexels

Photo: Pexels

Originally appeared in New Hope’s IdeaXchange, July 2019
By Steven Hoffman

Until recently, the U.S. dairy industry remained relatively quiet regarding the proliferation of plant-based products that use words such as “milk,” “yogurt” and “cheese. Now, lobbyists and policymakers for dairy producers in Wisconsin, the nation’s leading producer of butter made from cow’s milk and the state that calls itself “America’s Dairyland,” want to limit use of the word on plant-based products, such as the best-selling vegan “butter” sold by Miyoko’s Kitchen, reported Bloomberg News.  

This past spring, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) instructed supermarkets to remove nondairy products that use the term “butter” on labels, based on complaints from dairy producers that these products don’t comply with the state’s definition of butter, which requires that butter be made from dairy-based milk or cream. After being singled out and pulled from several stores, Miyoko’s agreed to affix a sticker to the label that read “vegetable spread.”

Companies such as Miyoko’s are riding a wave of popularity for plant-based products, especially dairy alternatives, reports Fortune. Plant-based milk retail sales totaled $1.8 billion for the year ending May 25, 2019, a 6.5% increase, according to data shared from Nielsen. Cheese substitute sales totaled $117 million, showing 17.4% growth. Cashew butters were up to $12.6 million, representing an increase of 4.9%, Fortune reported.

Changing consumer preferences toward plant-based foods are often cited as a chief cause of dairy’s slow decline, however, vegan products using labels such as “milk” – or in this case, “butter” – are seen by the milk lobby as misleading consumers to unfairly steal market share.

An official at DATCP said the agency is not planning to enforce labeling laws on other dairy products, such as “milk,” however, it will follow the FDA’s lead in this regard. Regarding butter, however, “It’s been an important product.” Wisconsin products more than one third of all butter sold in the U.S., Fortune reported.

FDA, for its part, may seek to restrict use of such traditional dairy terms by plant-based food producers. As part of its Nutrition Innovation Strategy, FDA announced it is modernizing standards of identity, which “define through regulation certain characteristics, ingredients, and quality of specific foods,” said an agency statement from Scott Gottlieb, who served as FDA commissioner at the time of the strategy’s launch. However, a review commissioned by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) reported that 76% of people who commented to the FDA were in favor of allowing plant-based products to continue using dairy terminology. 

“The entire debate over the use of the term milk and other dairy terms on plant-based foods and beverages is a solution in search of a problem,” Good Karma Foods CEO Doug Radi told Food Navigator USA in January 2019. “Plant-based foods that can directly replace dairy-based products make use of the same terminology (e.g. milk, butter, cheese) because they serve the same purposes and are used in almost exactly the same way as their dairy counterparts (in cereal, a glass, smoothies, coffee, etc.) Consumers understand words in context,” he said. “Consumers think these words represent proper descriptors for the products and do not believe we are trying to pass off our products as a dairy product. In fact, we would not be successfully doing so, as consumers buying our products are looking for alternatives to dairy,” Radi added.

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