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.
Happy Teal Pumpkin season, friends! 🎃🩵
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Every year, we join the Teal Pumpkin Project to spread the word about making Halloween fun—and safe—for everyone. 👻 Whether you’re handing out allergy-friendly snacks or little toys, every teal pumpkin on a porch helps kids (and parents!) breathe a little easier.⠀
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We love seeing your creative ideas—so tell us, what’s your go-to safe treat this year? 🍭✨⠀
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#TealPumpkinProject #AllergyFriendlyHalloween #CleanFoodForAll #PurityVerified #ZEGOPantry #SafeSnacks #InclusionMatters
Oct 28
🌾 Celebrating Indigenous Food Traditions: Wild Buckwheat 🌾
Indigenous Peoples’ Day may have passed, but we’re continuing to celebrate all month long by honoring culturally significant foods — like wild buckwheat.
Unlike the cultivated buckwheat used in cereals and flours (Fagopyrum esculentum), wild buckwheat (Eriogonum species) is native to North America and has long held importance for many Indigenous communities.
While not all species produce edible grain, parts of the plant — such as the young stems, leaves, and flowers — have been used for food, medicine, and ceremony. Tribes including the Karuk, Miwok, and Kumeyaay are among those who’ve incorporated wild buckwheat into their traditional practices, valuing it for its healing properties and connection to the land.
Each species tells a story of resilience, nourishment, and deep relationship with nature — a reminder that food is more than sustenance; it’s heritage.
🌎 #ancientgrains #sustainableagriculture #honorindigenouspeople
Oct 25
🎥 New Episode of Food Gossip with Colleen Kavanagh!
You may have seen the recent Consumer Reports investigation revealing that many popular protein powders contain worrying levels of lead and cadmium. 😳
In this week’s episode, ZEGO Founder Colleen Kavanagh breaks down what those findings really mean and why you should always demand purity verification from your protein powder brand.
At ZEGO, we test every batch for heavy metals before it ever reaches you, ensuring our levels are far below Prop 65 limits. That’s our Purity Promise. 🌿
👉 Watch the full video to hear Colleen’s insider expertise and learn how to protect yourself from hidden contaminants. #heavymetals #protein #proteinpowder #purityverified
Oct 23
Chicago-area friends, we’re now in Jewel-Osco! 🛒
Find our Double Protein Oats in stores and see why they’re a customer favorite –
💪 Twice the protein of regular oats
🌾 Purity tested for peace of mind
🌱 Always organic and gluten-free
Join us for a quick store tour!
Oct 20
🌾 What is Amaranth?
Amaranth is an ancient grain that’s been nourishing people for thousands of years. Across cultures, amaranth often symbolizes immortality and resilience. In fact, the word “amaranth” comes from the Greek “amarantos,” meaning “unfading,” reflecting the plant’s enduring seeds and vibrant flowers.
It’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein, and packed with fiber, iron, and magnesium. Unlike many grains, amaranth contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete plant-based protein.
You can enjoy it in a variety of ways. Cook it like oatmeal, toss it into salads, or add it to baked goods for a nutritious boost. Its slightly nutty flavor and tiny, crunchy texture make it a versatile ingredient in any kitchen.
✨ Bonus: Amaranth is considered a superfood because it’s nutrient-dense and supports overall health and wellness.
Have you tried cooking with amaranth yet? Share your favorite ways below! 👇
Oct 18
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🌾 Celebrating Wild Rice: A Sacred and Nourishing Grain 🌾
This month, in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re highlighting culturally significant foods that have nourished communities for generations.
Today, we’re celebrating wild rice — or manomin, meaning “good berry,” as it’s known by the Ojibwe and Chippewa peoples who have harvested it for centuries. 🌿
Though often called rice, wild rice is actually the seed of an aquatic grass that grows in lakes and slow-moving rivers across North America. It’s a great source of protein, fiber, and B vitamins, and it remains an essential part of both cultural traditions and sustainable foodways.
Let’s honor the deep connections between food, land, and heritage – and celebrate the incredible biodiversity that nourishes us all. 💚
Oct 16
🌾✨ On Indigenous People’s Day, we honor the traditions of Indigenous communities who continue to cultivate and protect ancient grains.
Grains like millet, amaranth, quinoa, wild rice, and corn are not only nourishing foods but also living connections to culture, ceremony, and sustainable farming practices. These grains play a vital role in shaping healthier, more resilient food systems today.
At ZEGO, we celebrate ancient grains for both their nutrition and the enduring traditions they represent – stories of connection to the land, respect for biodiversity, and care for future generations. 🌍💚
Oct 13
What does real transparency look like?
At the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum, ZEGO founder Colleen Kavanagh shared how we’re setting a higher standard for purity – one that’s backed by data, not just promises.
Did you know?
USDA average glyphosate in oats: 630 parts per billion.
ZEGO oats: under 10.
That’s the difference when your mission is clean food you can trust. 🌱
#ZEGO #TransparencyMatters #RFSI #GlyphosateFree #PurityVerified #CleanFood #RegenerativeFarming
Oct 12
🎸 Next Stop: Nashville! 🎸
We’re packing our bags and heading to #FNCE for bold ideas, brilliant speakers, and the bright lights of Music City! 🌟
Each fall, the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo brings together RDNs, nutrition experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape the future of food and health — and we can’t wait to join the conversation.
If you’ll be in Nashville, come say hi, try some samples, and learn how ZEGO is raising the bar for transparency, purity, and nutrition in every bite. 💚
Oct 10
🌱 Fueling Conversations for a Regenerative Future 🌱
This week, ZEGO was proud to sponsor breakfast at the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum in Minneapolis – where leaders across food and agriculture came together to share ideas, innovation, and inspiration.
We were thrilled to serve a tasty and nutritious breakfast featuring ZEGO favorites along with some delicious goodies from our friends at @philosopherfoods, the first and only Regenerative Organic Certified sprouted almond butters and fermented nuts, and @lovelilbucks , offering crunchy ROC certified buckwheat snack clusters that are as wholesome as they are delicious.
Together, we’re proud to support the movement toward a food system that’s better for people, farmers, and the planet. 🌎✨
Oct 8
🌾 What an inspiring weekend at the FAACT Allergy Summit! 🌾
This past weekend, our team joined advocates, healthcare providers, and allergy-friendly brands in Oak Brook, IL, for three incredible days of connection, learning, and community. 💚
Every meal at the Summit was free from the Top 9 allergens and gluten – perfectly aligned with our mission at ZEGO to make safe, nutritious, and transparent food accessible to everyone.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to chat about Purity Verified nutrition and the importance of clean, allergen-free ingredients. We’re so grateful to be part of this supportive and passionate community! 🙌
Oct 8
Your organic food matters – and so does the organic cert. Colleen gives a behind-the-scenes look at lobbying for stronger, fairer organic standards in our newest Food Gossip. Watch and share your thoughts – do you look for the organic seal when shopping? 🌱#usdaorganic #cleaneating #foodtransparency #organicstandards #knowyourfood
Oct 3
🌍 This saying is often linked to Native American traditions, though its exact origins are unclear. The message, however, is universal: caring for the earth is caring for our children’s future. 💚
Every choice we make today—how we grow our food, what we put on our plates, and how we care for the land—shapes the world the next generation will inherit. 🌱
By supporting sustainable farming and choosing foods grown with integrity, we’re not just nourishing ourselves, we’re protecting the soil, the water, and the planet our children will call home. 🌾✨
Let’s keep working together to leave behind an earth that’s even healthier and more vibrant than the one we were given.
Oct 2
Join Colleen and Cybele as they visit Jay and David Romsa’s legacy farm in Wyoming — where the family has been farming for over 118 years! 🌾✨
From the original homestead in 1907 to today’s 15,000 acres of organic fields, the Romsa family has been nurturing the land for generations. 💚
Watch the video to see history, heritage, and heart in action.
#FarmToTable #LegacyFarm #OrganicFarming #oats #millet #KnowYourFarmer #farmlife #sustainablefarming
Sep 30
🌾 What is Purity Protocol?
And why does it matter if you’re gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, of course, but they can easily get contaminated with wheat at every step — from farm to package:
🚜 Farming: Oats are often grown near or after wheat, leading to grain mix-ups in the field.
🏭 Processing: Many facilities use the same equipment for wheat and oats.
📦 Packaging: Oats may be packed alongside gluten-containing grains.
Unlike conventional oats, which rely on machines to try to sort out gluten-containing grains like wheat and barley, ZEGO oats are grown using a more rigorous and preventative approach called Purity Protocol, a patented farming method used to prevent gluten cross-contact in the field.
Here’s how it works ⬇️
🌱 Our partner farmers save seeds from the previous year’s crop, reducing unintended cross-contact
✅ Our oats are grown from a special variety that is significantly shorter than wheat and barley.
👀 As the plants grow (but before they form grains), farm workers hand-pull any taller sprouts — removing the risk of gluten grains from entering the harvest.
🧪 Then we test each batch down to 5 parts per million (ppm)
Our dedicated facility is free from gluten and the top allergens. No peanuts, no wheat, no dairy, no tree nuts, no soy, no milk, no eggs, no sesame, no sulfites, no celery, no corn, and no mustard. Our packaging has no corn derivatives.
💚 The result?
Some of the cleanest, safest oats you can buy — grown with care to nourish and protect your family.
👉 Curious about our testing? Just scan the QR code on any ZEGO package or visit our website to see your oats’ results. Have questions? Drop them in the comments below or send us a DM!
Sep 26
🌱 Why Purity Verified Matters 🌱
We love to hear when our customers are enjoying our oatmeal! Thank you, Robert E. for sharing what you love about ZEGO! He said,
“Great taste and the highest quality. They are the only brand I know that actually tests for every contaminant and publishes the results.”
At ZEGO, “Purity Verified” isn’t just a label—it’s a promise. Our breakfast foods and protein powder are tested by a third-party lab for glyphosate, heavy metals, and 500+ toxins. Then, we publish the results so you know exactly what you’re eating.
Because food should give you peace of mind—not questions. 💚
👉 Scan the QR code on the front of any ZEGO package to see the test results for yourself.
Sep 25
🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉
We’re celebrating clean, safe, and delicious food with a special giveaway! One lucky winner will receive:
🥣 A ZEGO Variety Prize Pack
✨ A ZEGO-branded Stanley Cup—perfect for keeping your favorite beverages hot or cold on the go!
Entering is easy:
– Follow @zegofoods
– Like this post 💚
– Tag a friend who loves safe, nutritious food (each tag = 1 entry!)
– Bonus: Share this post to your story for an extra chance to win! 🌟
📅 Giveaway ends October 1, 2025. Winner announced in our stories!
Good luck!
Sep 23
🎉 We’re so excited to be part of the @wickedglutenfree expo in New England! 🎉
📍 Fitchburg, MA
🗓 Saturday, Sept 20
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Stop by our table at the country’s biggest gluten-free expo to check out what ZEGO has to offer and grab exclusive coupons to use on your next purchase. 🥣✨
It’s the perfect opportunity to explore trusted gluten-free products and connect with the community. 💚
Who’s planning to attend?
Sep 19
👋 Hello from The Baking Expo (IBIE)!
We’re thrilled to be here at the world’s largest baking industry event, connecting with so many innovators, bakers, and food professionals who share our passion for raising the bar in food safety, nutrition, and sustainability.
Consider this a little slice of life from #IBIE – where inspiration is rising all around us! 🍞✨
At ZEGO, we believe every ingredient matters. That’s why we’re here showcasing our Purity Verified oats, muesli, and regenerative oats – all tested for over 500 toxins and allergens – because everyone deserves food they can trust.
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Sep 17
🌾 Farm Visit Spotlight 🌾
Last month, Colleen and Cybele had the joy of visiting the Romsa Brothers Farm in Wyoming, as part of our mission with CIVC [Collaborative Integrated Value Chain]! Part of CIVC`s mission is to create a supply chain pull for millet, a highly nutritious grain that is used in organic and regenerative farming as a cover crop for other grains, like gluten-free oats! 🌱 As fellow oat lovers, we all benefit from more people eating millet!
Not only does millet help with weed control and support healthy soil, it’s also naturally gluten-free, rich in fiber and minerals like magnesium and phosphorus, and thrives with less water than many other grains. A win for both people and the planet. 💚
Have you ever tried millet? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Sep 15
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Organic Gluten Free Oats (14oz bag)$8.99 -
Organic Plant Based Protein Powder (15oz bag)$29.99 — or subscribe to save 10%
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Organic Gluten-Free Muesli: Nut Free Cinnamon Twist (13oz)$9.99 — or subscribe to save 10%
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Organic Gluten Free Muesli: Apple Cranberry (13oz)$9.99 — or subscribe to save 10%
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Organic Plant Protein (5 bags, 15 oz each)$129.95 — or subscribe to save 5%
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Organic Oatmeal Superfood Blueberry Lemon Poppy 1 Bag$8.99
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Organic Oatmeal Superfood Cinnamon Spice 1 Bag$8.99
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Regenerative Organic Oatmeal – (21 oz.)$8.99
