When it comes to nutritious, versatile grains, millet is a hidden gem—especially for the gluten-free and allergy-friendly community. This ancient grain is not only good for you but also supports sustainable farming practices. Thanks to partnerships like the Collaborative Integrated Value Chain (CIVC), millet is poised to take its rightful place on your table.
Be sure to watch the short video below featuring Colleen Kavanagh, where she shares why millet is such an important crop and how ZEGO’s partnership with CIVC is helping bring it to your table.
Millet is a small-seeded grain classified as an “ancient grain.”
Known for its resilience, proso millet requires less water than traditional staples like rice and corn. It thrives in various U.S. climates, including those prone to drought, making it a climate-friendly crop.
Why Millet Matters to the Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Community
Millet is naturally gluten-free and free from the top allergens, making it a safe and inclusive option for those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivities, or food allergies. Its mild flavor and versatility allow it to be used in everything from flour for baking to a hearty base for porridge, salads, or bowls.
Nutritionally, this grain is a powerhouse. It’s high in protein, rich in fiber, and contains essential nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins, making it a valuable addition to any diet. For those looking for clean, nutritious, and allergen-friendly options, millet ticks all the boxes.
Why Aren’t We Eating More of this Ancient Grain?
Historically, millet was a staple crop in many parts of the world. However, over time, farming subsidies in the U.S. shifted agricultural production—and our diets—toward wheat and soy. This shift pushed grains like millet out of the mainstream, leaving it underutilized despite its many benefits. Unfortunately, this also means small-scale farmers who grow millet often struggle to find buyers; and larger mills typically prioritize high-volume crops.
How ZEGO and CIVC Are Bringing Millet Back
At ZEGO, we’re committed to partnering with farmers to reintroduce millet into the market. Our work with CIVC is a key part of this effort. Through this partnership, we’re supporting farmers in growing organic, gluten-free millet as part of their rotational crop practices. This approach improves soil health, reduces heavy metal uptake in plants, and promotes sustainable farming.
This collaboration also allows us to develop the infrastructure needed to process and dehull millet. This ensures we can deliver purity-verified, U.S.-grown millet flour that meets the highest safety and quality standards.
Millet’s versatility makes it ideal for baking bread, making pancakes, or serving as a nutritious main or side dish. Are you ready to get cooking with this healthy, gluten-free grain? Visit our friends at Snacktivist Foods for some creative and delicious millet recipes!
Stay tuned for updates as we bring purity-verified, U.S.-grown millet products to your pantry soon!
Colleen Kavanagh
Colleen has dedicated over 20 years of her career to improving the federal nutrition programs on the local, state, and federal level in her work for Congress, the School Nutrition Association, California Food Policy Advocates, and her own nonprofit project called A Better Course. Frustrated with the inability of federal action to bring truly healthy food to those in need. she started her food company ZEGO in 2013 to focus on food purity and nutrition density. Through ZEGO, she encourages consumers to advocate for themselves and ask the brands they love to measure and report the purity of their food.
Thanks to @liv.ingwithallergies for this simple breakfast recipe featuring ZEGO Purity Verified™ oats.
🥣 Ingredients:
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/3 cup ZEGO oats
• 1/3–1/2 cup dairy-free milk
• 2 tbsp fresh or frozen blueberries
• Granola and additional fruit for topping
🫐 Directions:
1. Blend blueberries and milk.
2. Combine with remaining ingredients and refrigerate overnight.
3. Top with granola and fruit before serving.
Save this one for busy mornings.
#ZEGOFoods #OvernightOats #GlutenFree #allergyfriendly #plantbased
Jun 11
🌾 What Is Muesli?🌾
Wondering what muesli is? Pronounced “myoo-slee,” it’s traditionally a wholesome combination of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. This nutrient-dense blend supports heart health, digestion, and sustained energy levels throughout the day.
ZEGO’s organic muesli is free from nuts and gluten and can be enjoyed with milk or a milk alternative, just like the other cereals in your pantry. 🥛🌿Pro-Tip: Soaking your muesli in your favorite version of milk or water will make it easier to digest and make the nutrients more bio-available by decreasing phytates and lectins. Soak for 5+ minutes or longer for softer oats.
Jun 8
Throwing it back to this adorable overnight oats moment with @bewell.warrior and her little helper. 💙🥣
Jun 3
Find ZEGO Double Protein Oats in the Chicago area at Jewel Osco! 🙌 🥳
Tag us here on Instagram if you find us on your local store shelf! 🛒
May 29
As a brand created by a food allergy mom, we understand what it`s like to live this life.
It`s not just about what`s on your plate. A poll of food allergy families showed that almost half said that food allergies even affected their social activities. Food allergies affect everyone in the family, and everything we do – from social gatherings to packing lunches and field trips, from weddings to sleepover camp.
But here at ZEGO we try to make it easy by providing products free from the top 14 allergens. We`re here for you, and try to make moments safe and delicious for all.
May 27
ZEGO is proud to sponsor tonight`s screening of May Contain My Life in Chicago. This documentary is about life with life-threatening food allergies. Tonight`s screening has a special Q&A with Dr. Ruchi Gupta of CFAAR. We hope you get to screen this movie when it comes to your city! For everyone in Chicago, look for us in your goodie bag!
May 26
Jay Romsa, of Romsa Family Farms, is one of our incredible featured farmers.
He`s and a very talented farmer with a background in crop science and a pretty humble guy. You might recognize him from our Natural Products Expo West panel on specialty grain supply chains.
But what you might not know is that Jay matches our affinity for gluten-free oats.
"I opted for early retirement to help my son establish his link in the legacy I devoted my career to agriculture. I achieved my degree in crop science and conducted research on multiple crops and production systems. My career ended focusing on the benefits of oats while working in the food industry.
Oats are one of the most nutrient dense grains you can consume offering the benefits of satiety, low glycemic index, soluble fiber in the form of beta glucan helping with heart health and cholesterol reduction, loaded with essential amino acids, when grown in a gluten free system can be labeled as gluten free, loaded with essential amino acids and higher protein levels make them one of the healthiest grains you can consume."
We love a farmer who loves oats!
May 20
We`ve partnered with @officialprepara to offer a fantastic giveaway this month! Their Salad Pod + Berry Basket is a perfect way to make berry overnight oats!
Giveaway Details
1. Like this post
2. Follow @ZegoFoods and @OfficialPrepara
3. Comment how you would use the Prepara Salad Pod!
Giveaway ends 5/31/26 5pm PT. USA only, 18+ only, not affiliated with Instagram. We will message the winner directly only from this account.
🥣 Strawberry Overnight Oats 🍓
✨Soak your ZEGO oats overnight in your milk of choice, following the instructions on the bag, adding in sweetener of choice
✨Add nuts or seeds to the dressing lid inside
✨Open your Prepara Salad Pod and add in berries from your Berry Basket!
✨Once you`re done, wash your Prepara items and use them for salads or anything else!
May 18
Today is International Celiac Disease Awareness Day! It`s a day within Celiac Disease Awareness Month where we can all share facts with others, bust some myths, and get excited about the future of celiac disease research! We are so proud to serve the #celiacdisease community by offering purity protocol celiac disease safe oats. From our founder to your plate, we`re happy to be a part of this #glutenfree community.
May 16
It`s important that food manufacturers use good manufacturing processes and allergy protocols to keep your food safe! Better yet, look for facilities that are free from your allergen. ZEGO is made in a facility that is free from the top 14 allergens and corn. We know that even a crumb counts!
#FoodAllergy #FoodAllergyAwareness #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek
May 14
Do you know the top 9 foods most likely to cause a food allergic reaction? 💬
#FoodAllergy #FoodAllergyAwareness #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek
May 12
Different vibes, same great product.
Double Protein Organic Oats, online or at a store near you.
May 8
Did you know that our founder Colleen was diagnosed with #celiacdisease when she was a teen? Because of her experience with her own malnutrition, she was inspired to make sure everyone has the right to safe, healthy, nutritious food.
May 7
Did you know how common food allergies are?
Here are some FACTS from FAACT!
**Food allergies affect as many as 32 million Americans, including 26 million adults and 5.6 million children.
**Approximately 7.6% of children and 10.8% of adults here in the US have food allergies.
**Food allergies are more prevalent in children than in adults, but many affected children can "outgrow" food allergies with age.
**According to the CDC, the prevalence of food allergies in children increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011.
**Among children under 18, it is common enough that there are about 2 students with food allergies in every classroom!
#FoodAllergyAwareness #FoodAllergyAwarenessMonth
May 4
Did you know that May is both Celiac Disease Awareness Month and Food Allergy Awareness Month? ZEGO has always put the food allergy and celiac community first by providing a superior, delicious, nutritious line of products that are safe for people avoiding top allergens and gluten.
We spend every May spreading awareness for these conditions, sharing facts over fear.
We can`t wait to share more with you, so follow along on our social accounts for the month of May!
May 1
We’ve learned so much about FIBER this month, and we hope you have too! To round-up our month dedicated to fiber, we’re throwing a fiber-packed giveaway! Enter to win a case of our DOUBLE PROTEIN ORGANIC OATMEAL. Each serving of these high-quality raw gluten-free organic oats contains 5 grams of dietary fiber!
TO ENTER:
1. Like this post
2. Make sure you’re following us here on Instagram
3. Comment with your favorite way to eat oats
US residents only, 18+, not associated with Instagram. We will only reach out via this account if you are the winner.
Apr 30
On April 29–30, 300+ farmers, investors, researchers, retailers, and supply chain leaders will convene at Brooklyn’s Newlab for two days of panels, workshops, and community building around the future of regenerative food systems at Regenerative NYC, by Why Regenerative.
We`re a proud sponsor of Why Regenerative and have our Regenerative Organic Oatmeal on their online Regenerative Market!
At Regenerative NYC, the sessions span everything from soil carbon verification and agroforestry market-building to regenerative dairy transitions and farmland investing — with speakers from Whole Foods, Thrive Market, Bel Brands, ROA, Textile Exchange, Eileen Fisher, Fresh Direct, Builders Vision, the Rockefeller Foundation, Niman Ranch, Mad Ag, and more.
Don`t miss breakfast, you`ll have a chance to try our ZEGO oats! We`re catering the breakfast each morning.
Apr 29
Is there such thing as too much fiber?
While we recently highlighted how great fiber is, and how most adults in the US need to be eating more of it – can there be too much of a good thing?
YES! Especially when you add too much fiber to your diet too quickly. This can cause gas, bloating, and and other GI side effects, like diarrhea. And if you add too much fiber with not enough water, there`s even a risk of intestinal blockages.
That`s why we say start low and go slow to introduce more fiber into your diet. Have a question about fiber? Ask your dietitian!
Source: Time Magazine, "What fibermaxxing gets wrong about fiber."
Apr 28
✨ Add, Don`t Restrict: How to Boost Fiber ✨
Start your day off with a bowl of oatmeal, and boost the fiber by adding fresh fruit and seeds. Add some carrots to your mid-day snack. Add in some kale in your next sauté. Think about all the places you can ADD FIBER, not subtract it, from your existing meal plans.
Apr 27
Celebrate #EarthDay this week at Lassen`s locations across the Los Angeles area, Santa Barbara, and Bakersfield! We`ll be on promotion, and you`ll find us handing out oatmeal sample packets at select locations this week!
Find a Lassen`s near you!
🌎 Wilshire La Brea
🌎 Echo Park
🌎 Los Feliz
🌎 Simi Valley
🌎 Lancaster
🌎 Oxnard
🌎 Ventura
🌎 Santa Barbara
🌎 Santa Maria
🌎 San Luis Obispo
🌎 Bakersfield
Apr 20
