Evolve CPG Podcast Interview with ZEGO’s Colleen Kavanagh

🌾 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 …

🌾 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! 👇 …

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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. 💚 …

🌾 What an inspiring weekend at the FAACT Allergy Summit! 🌾⁠
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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. 💚⁠
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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.⁠
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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! 🙌 …

🌾 What is Purity Protocol?⁠
And why does it matter if you’re gluten-free?⁠
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Oats are naturally gluten-free, of course, but they can easily get contaminated with wheat at every step — from farm to package:⁠
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🚜 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.⁠
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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.⁠ ⁠
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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)⁠
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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. ⁠
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💚 The result?⁠
Some of the cleanest, safest oats you can buy — grown with care to nourish and protect your family.⁠
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👉 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! …

👋 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.⁠
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Consider this a little slice of life from #IBIE – where inspiration is rising all around us! 🍞✨⁠
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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.⁠
💚 …

🌾💚 Celiac Disease Awareness Day | September 13

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where eating gluten damages the small intestine, making it hard to absorb nutrients and leading to long-term health challenges. For the 3 million people in the U.S. living with celiac, strict gluten-free safety is non-negotiable.

That’s why at ZEGO, we go beyond. Our oats are grown using a purity protocol — meaning from seed to harvest to packaging, we work directly with our farmers to ensure the highest standards of safety. Then, a third-party lab tests for gluten, glyphosate, heavy metals, and 500+ toxins so you can trust every bite.

💡 Today and every day, we stand with the celiac community — advocating for transparency, safety, and food you can feel good about.

✨ Share this post to help raise awareness and spread the word: gluten-free isn’t a trend — it’s a necessity. …