Last Updated on April 27, 2022 by Colleen
Join Colleen and Evolve CPG founder Gage Mitchell as they talk about food and politics and how consumers must drive the change to a cleaner food system.
From the Podcast Recap at EvolveCPG.com
“The general trend towards healthier living and better information about nutrition has many layers, with one of the main tenets being an increase in transparency from food brands about the ingredients used and their sources.
Today we are joined by Colleen Kavanagh, the CEO and Co-Founder of ZEGO Foods, to talk about how the company is enabling its customers to live healthy and fulfilling lives, and supporting achievement on multiple levels.
Colleen shares some of her personal journey with nutrition and how this led into her career, the important shifts in the industry in recent years, how public policy fits into the picture, and the central theme of transparency at ZEGO! So, for a great check-in on the present and future of the world of healthy foods, be sure to listen in with and see what Colleen has to say!’
Key Points From This Episode:
- How customer action can quickly impact the industry and make a meaningful change!
- Advice from Colleen around the legalities of going to market and a safe marketing plan.
- Colleen’s background and how her own celiac disease diagnosis led her getting into nutrition.
- ZEGO Foods’ process to becoming a B-Corporation and the processes around certification.
- Pesticides and diseases; the research that has illuminated the dangers of what we consume.
- The launch of ZEGO Foods and how Colleen formulated the vision for the company.
- Concerns about safety and assurances related to allergies and ingredients lists.
- The centrality of the testing process at ZEGO Foods and bringing these practices up to speed.
- Information on A Better Course, Colleen’s school nutrition program!
- Thinking about the next few years at ZEGO; the two current goals of the company.
- How local work in San Francisco deeply impacted Colleen’s philosophy.
What is Fiber?
Did you know that there are TWO types of fiber – soluble vs. insoluble.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water in your digestive tract, forming a gel that slows digestion. It helps to lower your cholesterol, reduces your risk of heart disease, and stabilizes blood sugar.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve, adding bulk to your stool to help it move through the digestive system.
Many foods contain both, and both are important for your overall health!
Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983
Apr 3
Today is April 1st and itโs no joke that today weโre celebrating sourdough!
April 1st is National Sourdough Bread Day, and weโre all about that #glutenfree sourdough.
Did you know that you can use our oats to make sourdough starter? Our double protein oats are raw, which means that the active enzymes can start to ferment and make sourdough starter at a quicker rate than heat-treated oats. Make into a flour or use the oats themselves to make a starter, or to add to an existing gluten-free sourdough starter. Learn more on our blog!
Apr 1
Do you live in NorCal or NV? Find us on sale at a @Raleys Nob Hill or Bel-Air market near you this week.
Make your mornings better with ZEGO at Raley`s!
Mar 31
Our B Corpโข certification is one way we show what matters most to us: building a food system thatโs transparent, inclusive, and better for everyone. And weโre honored to stand alongside thousands of other companies around the world who are raising the bar with the power of the B.
This #BCorpMonth, weโre celebrating a global movement proving that business can be a force for good โ for our communities, our farmers, and your food. Weโre proud of the progress weโve made together, and even more energized for what comes next. Because when companies choose impact and integrity, everyone benefits.
Hereโs to better business, cleaner food, and a future we can all trust.
Mar 28
Weโre celebrating our Blueberry Lemon Poppy Superfood with a Gelsonโs giveaway! Find our delicious Blueberry Lemon Poppy Superfood Blend, Cinnamon & Spice Superfood Blend and Regenerative Organic Oatmeal at all Gelsonโs locations in Southern California. ๐โโ๏ธโ๐ดโ
Enter to win a viral Gelsonโs mini tote and three Blueberry Lemon Poppy Superfood blends! Hereโs how to enter to win!
1. Follow @GelsonsMarkets and @ZegoFoods
2. Like this post
3. Post a blueberry ๐ซโ emoji in the comments!
*Giveaway ends at 11:59pm 4/3/26. Winner will receive a DM from this account ONLY. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram. Open to US residents, 18+ only.
Mar 27
Sometimes we just need to trust Mother Nature and run with what`s she`s given us!
In this snippet from a Supply Chain panel at Natural Products Expo West, CEO Colleen Kavanagh talks about how we achieve our signature product – Double Protein Oats, thanks to nature, and the High Plains region of the US, and our farmers.
Mar 23
At a recent farming conference our CEO attended, we were struck by some real life examples presented by regional farmers on the effect of climate change to their farms – and their bottom line.
Mitigating the effects of climate change is so important to the future of our farms and the success of our farmers!
Mar 20
Looking for your very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Youโve found it in our Double Protein Organic Oatmeal. No matter if youโre Proteinmaxxing, Fibermaxxing, or just getting a delicious bowl of gluten-free oatmeal in the morning – you just got lucky.
Mar 17
People ๐ค Planet.
Everyone who works at ZEGO is proud to be B Corp. Our B Corp sign, found in our display at Erewhon, deserved it`s own moment in the sun.
As a Certified B Corporationโข, everyone who works with us โ our employees, partners, and communities โ plays an important role.
Weโre all part of the one million workers around the world united by the B.
Mar 16
Now that our team has settled in from #ExpoWest, we just wanted to share how grateful we are!
Thank you to everyone who came to our sessions on using AI in CPG and managing unique ingredient supply chains. Thank you to everyone who visited our booths, or took a sample of our oats home from the Why Regenerative party. Thank you to New Hope Network for giving us the time to chat on your Natural List podcast!
We`re soaking it all in and we`re just delighted by our time in Anaheim at Expo West 2026.
Mar 12
Bright, lemony, and thoughtfully made – our Blueberry Lemon Poppy Oats are all about flavor you can feel good about. Thanks for the love (and the bag suggestion)!
Mar 11
It takes a lot for a company to make a positive impact on the world. Countless actions. Constant effort. Real changes. And rigorous measurement. We know, because we do these things every day.
And while the work is complex, our commitment to continuous improvement is straightforward. One simple symbol says it all: the B.
As a Certified B Corpโข, weโre excited to join forces with the 10,000 companies around the world who are united by the B to share our story during #BCorpMonth.
Mar 9
International Womenโs Day is a chance to celebrate women-led businesses -and the vision, persistence, and care it takes to build one.
As a woman-owned company, weโre proud to keep showing up for farmers, families, and a safer food system.
To the women who ask hard questions, advocate for safer food, and choose care in their everyday decisions, we see you, and weโre grateful.
Mar 9
Today weโre in Manhattan Beach ๐๏ธ doing some demos of our Blueberry Lemon Poppy and Cinnamon & Spice superfood blends and our new regenerative organic oats ๐ฅฃ at @gelsonsmarkets!
Mar 7
What a huge day for @zegofoods! We were part of a great panel with specialty grain producers talking about managing supply chains. These folks are doing the hard work in growing something magical. Their work with small farms to grow specialty grains like chickpeas, millet, buckwheat and #glutenfree organic oats is a feat. Thank you to @eatbanza @lilbucksworld @powellpalm_organics and @romsafarms!
Mar 5
โจ girl power โจ
Our founder Colleen is shining like the star she is at @natprodexpo #ExpoWest. Yesterday, she taught a masterclass in AI for small brands, she was on the Natural List podcast ๐๏ธ and today sheโs on a panel about regenerative agriculture. We love a female founder!
โจ You donโt know the life of a showgirl, babe โจ
Mar 4
Itโs a beautiful weekend for some @erewhon demos! Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a muesli granola bar or to talk about our US grown oats. Catch us on sale at Erewhon now!
Mar 1
๐พ Farmers We Admire: Bob Quinn (@bobquinnorganicfarmer) is the Director of the Quinn Institute and a true pioneer in regenerative organic agriculture. After earning his PhD in plant biochemistry, Bob returned to his family farm in Big Sandy, Montana, and converted all 3,000+ acres to regenerative organic farming in just three years.
Bob also pioneered Kamut International, helping transform an ancient grain into a global symbol of health, community, and integrity. His work continues to shape what regenerative organic farming can look likeโgrounded in science, stewardship, and long-term thinking.
Hereโs how Bob describes his journey into regenerative organic agriculture, in his own words:
โForty years ago in 1986, I planted my first organic experiment of winter wheat on 20 acres that had been in alfalfa for three years. The crop was harvested the next summer and was no different in quality and quantity from the non-organic winter wheat growing next to it. After one more year of experimentation when I was able to control grasshoppers using a biological treatment and seeing the most recommended pesticide fail me, I became a passionate convert to regenerative organic agriculture, using rotations to break up cycles of weeds, insects and disease and legume cover crops to nourish the soil.
I used the term regenerative organic because I believe that regenerative without organic is just as incomplete as organic without regenerative. Real organic is regenerative and real regenerative is organic. These are systems which continue to evolve and improve as our understanding of how to manage them in the best way increases.
After 40 years, I am more convinced than ever that regenerative organic systems producing local food which is minimally processed are the future. This is the answer to both our nationโs health crisis and farm crisis and the key to healing our farms, our communities, our planet and our people.โ
Weโre grateful for farmers like Bob who lead with curiosity, courage, and careโfor the land and for future generations.
Feb 26
February is all about Regenerative ๐ฑ
To celebrate, weโre offering 25% off our Regenerative Oats when you buy a case at zegofoods.comโbecause supporting soil health and thoughtful farming should be something to feel good about and enjoy every day.
Our Regenerative Oats are grown using practices that help restore the land, support biodiversity, and build healthier soilsโwithout cutting corners on quality or safety.
๐๏ธ Hurry, you only have until the end of the month for this deal!
Stock up, save, and start your mornings with oats that nourish both people and the planet.
Feb 25
Weโre excited to share that weโll be exhibiting at Natural Products Expo West, March 3โ6 in Anaheim, CA.
Visit our whole team at Booth 1943 in Hall B and at the Good Now booth 7914 on the third floor to connect with our team and learn more about our commitment to regenerative agriculture and clean, transparent food.
#ExpoWest #Regenerative #RegenerativeOrganic #GlutenFree
Feb 24
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Organic High Protein Gluten Free Oats (14oz bag)$8.99 -
Organic Plant Based Protein Powder (15oz bag)$29.99 — or subscribe to save 10% -
Organic Gluten-Free Muesli: Nut Free Cinnamon Twist (13oz)$9.99 — or subscribe to save 10% -
Organic Double Protein Oats 5 bag case$44.95 — or subscribe to save 5% -
Organic Gluten Free Muesli: Apple Cranberry (13oz)$9.99 — or subscribe to save 10% -
Organic Plant Protein (5 bags, 15 oz each)$129.95 — or subscribe to save 5% -
Organic Oatmeal Superfood Blueberry Lemon Poppy 1 Bag$8.99 -
Organic Oatmeal Superfood Cinnamon Spice 1 Bag$8.99 -
Regenerative Organic Oatmeal – (21 oz.)$8.99