NonGMO Project GMO food verification logo orange

Born out of a deep love for heritage and clean ingredients, TUYYO instant Agua Fresca drink mixes are a modern reimagining of a beloved cultural classic. Inspired by the fresh fruit drinks made by abuelas in Latin households and the nostalgic powdered mixes many of us grew up with, TUYYO blends tradition with innovation. Founder Stefanie Garcia Turner, a first-generation Mexican American, created the brand to bridge the gap between wellness-focused food trends and authentic Latin flavors. TUYYO — "Tu y Yo," meaning "you and me" — is about more than a beverage; it's about connection, culture, and community.

One of the core values behind TUYYO is a commitment to transparency and clean ingredients, especially when it comes to avoiding GMOs. Each mix is Non-GMO Project Verified, reflecting a belief that families deserve non-GMO options that support their health. In a food landscape filled with overly processed, artificial-laden products, especially in Hispanic grocery aisles, TUYYO stands apart by prioritizing real ingredients like organic agave and real fruit powders. The Non-GMO Project label isn’t just a badge, it’s a promise to provide customers with a product they can trust. This is especially important in communities disproportionately affected by health concerns like diabetes and obesity.

Convenience also plays a big role in TUYYO’s success. With a growing need for quick, easy and healthy beverage options, TUYYO makes it simple to enjoy delicious Agua Fresca in under a minute with the refreshing flavor of the authentic beverage. Just add water and stir — no chopping fruit or long prep times required. It’s the perfect solution for busy families, working professionals and anyone who wants a flavorful, hydrating drink without the hassle or guilt.

In addition to crafting delicious, better-for-you beverages, TUYYO is committed to giving back. The company donates a portion of its profits each year to Latino-led nonprofits that are driving positive change in their communities. Organizations such as Latino Outdoors, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio, and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization in Chicago are just a few examples of groups TUYYO supports. These partnerships are a reflection of the brand’s mission to uplift Latinx communities through food, culture, and advocacy — because change starts at the local level, and every sip can be a step toward something greater.

With refreshing flavors like Mango, Pineapple, Strawberry, and Horchata, TUYYO is a flavorful revolution in powdered drinks. It's not just a product, it’s a movement rooted in cultural pride, clean eating (and drinking!), and bringing people together, one glass at a time.

To learn more about TUYYO’s mission and products, visit the website https://tuyyofoods.com.

This guest post was written by Stefanie Garcia Turner, founder & CEO of TUYYO Foods

Milk tea has long been a beloved beverage, uniting people around the world with its sweet, creamy goodness. However, not all milk tea is created equal. Twrl Milk Tea is redefining what it means to enjoy this classic drink by offering a healthier, non-GMO alternative that’s both delicious and responsible. Founded by two moms, Twrl Milk Tea blends tradition and innovation, using only the finest ingredients to craft a beverage that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your taste buds.

The origins of Twrl Milk Tea

Twrl Milk Tea was born from a desire to create something delicious with clean ingredients. Co-founders Olivia Chen and Pauline Ang, both busy moms, wanted a healthier option for their families that didn’t compromise on taste. As Taiwanese and Chinese Americans and daughters of immigrants, they grew up surrounded by the rich culture of tea and wanted to share that love of tea with their own children. 

Drawing inspiration from their cultural roots and the vibrant tea-drinking traditions of Taiwan, Olivia and Pauline developed a milk tea made with single-origin, non-GMO tea leaves and plant-based pea milk powered with L-theanine, so you can enjoy caffeine without all the jitters. Their goal was simple: to craft a beverage that was delicious, clean and nutritious, something you can enjoy at home or on the go.

Why Twrl cares about GMOs

One of the core values that set Twrl Milk Tea apart from traditional milk tea brands is its commitment to non-GMO ingredients. In a world where genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become prevalent in many foods, Twrl stands firm in its belief that consumers deserve better. GMOs are often engineered to withstand pesticides or increase crop yields, but the long-term effects of consuming GMO products on human health and the environment are still uncertain. Olivia and Pauline are committed to offering a beverage that is not only good for you but also for the planet.

Twrl sources ingredients from multi-generational family farms that prioritize sustainable and regenerative farming techniques, supporting biodiversity and resilience against climate change. This attention to detail reflects their dedication to clean ingredients and sustainability, something that is becoming increasingly important to consumers who are aware of the impact their food choices have on the environment. 

The use of pea milk, in particular, aligns with Twrl’s mission to create a beverage that is not only dairy-free and plant-based but also has a lower environmental footprint compared to other plant-based alternatives. Compared to dairy, almond, oat or soy milk, pea milk produces 4x fewer carbon emissions. Pea milk uses 85% less water than almond milk and requires significantly less fertilizer than oat and soy milk combined — helping create a more sustainable future, one sip at a time.

Transparency in food labeling

In addition to Twrl Milk Tea's commitment to non-GMO ingredients, they are also dedicated to transparency in food labeling. Consumers today are more conscious of what’s in their food and want to know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies. Twrl meets this demand by providing clear, straightforward ingredient lists on every can, so you can feel confident about what you are drinking.

From the tea leaves to the pea milk, every ingredient in Twrl Milk Tea is carefully selected for its quality and health benefits. With only seven to nine grams of sugar and just 50-80 calories per can, Twrl provides a delicious indulgence that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or quality. It’s a perfect example of how innovation can meet tradition to create a not-too-sweet, sustainable alternative to traditional milk tea.

Sip on something special

At Twrl Milk Tea, Olivia and Pauline are passionate about bringing delicious cafe-style milk teas + bobas to your home so you can enjoy a boba tea anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re sipping on signature Taiwan Style Black Milk Tea or enjoying the richness of Ube Milk Tea, you can rest assured that every can is crafted with care and commitment to clean, non-GMO ingredients. If you’re ready to savor the flavor and skip the GMOs, visit Twrl Milk Tea's website today to learn more about their products, read about Twrl’s commitment to sustainability, and experience the difference of Twrl Milk Tea for yourself.

Take the first step towards an at-home, cafe-style milk tea experience — join the Twrl family and enjoy a Boba Milk Tea at home in under a minute and feel great.

This guest post was written by Twrl Milk Tea.

These days, knowing what’s in your food is more important than ever. That’s why Blue Green Organics is here! Our Latino-owned brand brings you organic agave sweeteners and chia seeds that aren’t just tasty — they’re products you can feel good about. Being Non-GMO Project Verified is a big deal for us, and we’d love to share what that means and how we’re making a difference.

How it all started

It all began with a simple goal: to bring top-notch, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients to your table. We’re based in Fort Worth, Texas, but our hearts are deeply tied to our Latino roots. Every product we create is inspired by the rich flavors and traditions of our culture. From partnering with farmers we trust to making sure every product meets the strict Non-GMO Project standards, we’re all about food you can count on.

Why non-GMO means so much to us

We believe that what you eat should be as close to nature as possible. GMOs can impact the environment, biodiversity and even food safety, so we are committed to avoiding genetically modified ingredients in everything we make.

Here’s why the Butterfly label is important:

Why this is all about you

We know a lot of people care about the non-GMO movement — and for good reason. By choosing Non-GMO Project Verified products, you’re making a real impact. It’s about creating a better future, and we’re so proud to be a part of that journey with you. Plus, our products are versatile and super easy to work into your everyday life.

Let’s do this together

We’re all about transparency, sustainability and keeping food simple. Whether you’re swapping out your regular sweetener for our agave syrup or adding chia seeds to your smoothie, you’re making a choice that matters.

Ready to give us a try? Check out our full line of products on our website here, find us in stores near you, or join us on social media for recipes, tips and more. Together, we can create a sweeter, healthier future for you and the planet!

This guest post was written by Blue Green Organics.

Mohammad Salehi, founder of Heray Spice

I am Mohammad Salehi, the founder and co-owner of Heray Spice. I grew up in a farming family in Herat, Afghanistan. Like most other Afghans, my family has been farming for many generations. In Afghanistan, agriculture is the main source of income for 80% of the population. My family farms six acres in the Pashtoon Zarghon district of Herat in western Afghanistan. Since 2007, we have been cultivating saffron on our farm. Before that we grew barley, potatoes and spinach. Herat province is the main source of saffron with more than 90% of Afghanistan’s saffron cultivated and exported out of this region. 

Growing up, I noticed the struggles of my family and other family farmers, who made very little money from their crops. Even making a basic living from farming is not attainable.

Right out of high school, I got a job working for the US Military as a cultural advisor and linguist. Four years later, I applied for a visa to come to the United States, immigrating from Kabul to Chicago in September 2014.

In 2022, we conducted a survey of 300 farmers in Afghanistan, India and Sri Lanka. We learned that farmers in the spice supply chain earn less than 7% of the retail price for the products they grow. For example, when you buy a jar of spices for $10 in a grocery store, less than $0.70 of that goes to a farmer.

Sharing saffron, spices and stories

I believe that farmers do valuable work. It is not fair that the people who grow our food do not earn enough to support themselves. I wanted to change that, and I wanted to stay connected to my home country. I started Heray Spice to share farmers' stories and help them with fair wages and a better living.

I founded Heray Space in 2017, while I was in college. Heray Spice is more than a brand for me, it is a platform and a cooperative of farmers. We are here to help them make better income while supplying the freshest spices to the world.

Our mission is rooted in rebuilding Afghanistan’s agricultural economy. After decades of conflict, the region needs new opportunities for growth and recovery. By creating a spice company centered around Afghanistan’s world-renowned saffron and other spices, we are not only showcasing the finest saffron to the global market but also empowering the local farmers of Afghanistan.

We are a fair-trade company, and the spices we import are produced with sustainable farming methods. I believe we can help the farmers and support better community development. I founded this company to offer the highest quality products while honoring the deep cultural heritage of Afghanistan and agriculture.

Through saffron, Heray Spice offers a window into Afghanistan that is often overlooked — a land of hope, resilience, and endless potential. Afghan saffron has been recognized as the world’s highest quality saffron for the ninth time by the prestigious International Taste Institute in Belgium. Competing against saffron from Spain, Iran, and other major saffron producers, Afghanistan’s saffron consistently takes home the top honors. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the farmers, the meticulous attention to detail in the processing and the quality of the soil and climate in Herat.

Our saffron is used by Michelin-starred chefs, food enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers alike. In the last year alone, Afghanistan exported nearly 30 tons of saffron, with Heray Spice contributing significantly to this figure. Our saffron has made its way to the kitchens of homes and restaurants across the globe, from the United States to India, Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Why non-GMO matters

The decision to be non-GMO is more than a marketing stance; it’s about preserving food integrity and the environment.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can negatively impact biodiversity, soil health and the purity of agricultural processes. Afghanistan’s saffron farming is a time-honored tradition that remains untainted by synthetic modifications, making it crucial to maintain this natural purity. 

By adhering to non-GMO practices, we uphold the integrity of the saffron, ensuring consumers get the most authentic, naturally-grown product.

One of Heray Spice’s core values is ensuring Afghan farmers receive a fair wage for their saffron harvest. Historically, these farmers were vulnerable to middlemen who offered low prices, making it difficult for them to support their families. By partnering directly with local farmers, Heray Spice cut out the intermediaries and ensured that the revenue stayed within the local communities. 

The company invests in training farmers in sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring that the land is preserved for future generations and that the quality of the saffron is never compromised. Heray Spice believes that the strength of its saffron comes not just from the soil, but from the people who cultivate it with care and dedication.

Our Verified products

In a world where food integrity is increasingly under threat, we understand the importance of preserving natural agricultural processes. 

Heray Spice’s main product, Afghan saffron, is not just known for its exceptional quality but also for being Non-GMO Project Verified. Saffron is cultivated across 26 provinces, with nearly 90% grown in Herat. Afghan saffron is celebrated globally and has been judged the highest quality saffron by International Taste & Quality of Brussels for the last nine years in a row. 

In addition to saffron, Heray Spice offers a selection of spice blends and products that maintain our commitment to sustainability, fair trade and natural cultivation methods. These Non-GMO Project Verified products symbolize our dedication to food safety, authenticity and traditional farming.

Heray Spice also prioritizes transparency in the supply chain, giving customers confidence that their saffron is ethically-sourced and of the highest quality. This focus on transparency has become a cornerstone of the brand’s ethos, helping build a loyal customer base globally.

Visit Heray Spice to explore our range of Non-GMO Project Verified saffron and other fresh spices. Learn more about our sustainable farming practices and support Afghan farmers today!

This guest post is written by Heray Spice.

Kate’s Real Food Non-GMO Project Verified Granola Bars

You can trust Kate’s Real Food

For many people, granola bars are a pantry staple. Not only are they convenient for on-the-go snacking, but they can also be a delicious breakfast replacement, and can provide a punch of protein post-workout. 

Because they are popular, the snack bar category continues to explode. The protein bar category alone is projected to be worth $7 billion by 2030, rising at a compound annual growth rate of 6.3% according to a Market Research Future report. 

With a wide variety of options to choose from, it’s important to understand what ingredients and chemicals are IN the snack bars we regularly consume and make a conscious choice to support brands that are committed to real and natural ingredients. 

Why going non-GMO matters in snack bars

According to the Non-GMO Project, “the overabundance of genetically modified food crops and ingredients is alarming.” In North America, for example, over 80% of our food contains GMOs (i.e., ingredients that have been genetically modified). They are particularly abundant in children’s and convenience foods such as cereals, snack bars, snack boxes, cookies, processed lunch meats and crackers.

At Kate’s Real Food, we have made it our mission to provide consumers with real food that can fuel and nourish the body the way it was intended to, without the potential harmful ingredients. 

With Kate’s Real Food energy and protein bars, you can expect the following: 

Recommended by dietitians

Dietitians are also recommending Kate’s Real Food. According to Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, MS, RDN:

"Kate's Real Food hits the nail on the target when it comes to understanding what consumers want from their snack bars, such as desirable flavor profiles such as Lemon Coconut or White Chocolate Macadamia, sourcing ethically produced ingredients, addressing dietary restrictions while also caring about nutritional content. With their gluten-free certification and non-GMO promise, Kate's Real Food is able to align themselves perfectly with the existing health and wellness trends, like gluten-free, ethically sourced, non-GMO and organic certifications because they care, and listen to what consumers want. Plus, they use real ingredients to help deliver real energy instead of using synthetic ingredients or artificial additives."

Find Kate’s Non-GMO Project Verified Granola and Protein Bars

Kate’s Real Food energy and protein bars can be found online at KatesRealFood.com, on Amazon and in over 15,000 grocery, specialty, and mass retail stores across the US.

This guest post is written by Kate's Real Food.

There are many reasons to stay active, with health being a big one. Physical activity has many benefits: it supports heart health, keeps bones and joints strong, improves mental focus, and helps control weight and body composition. If staying active is so good for our bodies, shouldn’t the food we eat while doing sports be good for us too? Shouldn’t sports nutrition products be, in a word, healthy?

Before my cofounder and I started Levelle Nutrition, we talked to more than 100 female endurance athletes. We asked them about their routines and how they fueled their bodies during exercise and activity. What we learned shocked and saddened us. These women shared that, while doing their sports, they often dealt with physical issues. These symptoms included headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and dizziness. They believed these problems were caused by the energy products they were using. Many had tried different kinds but couldn’t find anything that worked well with their bodies.

After hearing this, we went to vitamin stores, sports shops and grocery stores. We looked closely at the labels on sports nutrition products, and what we found was alarming. Many energy products contained high-glycemic ingredients like maltodextrin and glucose, along with caffeine. Some products had "natural flavors," which is a vague term. Products labeled as supplements often listed “proprietary blend,” which can hide the actual ingredients.

Many female athletes expressed distrust in sports nutrition products. This was especially true for women who continued their physical activity during pregnancy, breastfeeding and through menopause. Knowing that their nutrition affected their children, these women paid extra attention to product labels. Several athletes wanted natural options that fit with their overall lifestyle and nutrition. They saw a disconnect between being physically fit but having to choose from artificial, lab-made products with little nutritional value. This lack of good options led many athletes to create their own solutions, like peanut butter sandwiches, sweet potato or banana “mashes” in baggies, or even baby food pouches.

There’s clearly a demand for natural, real-food products in sports nutrition. However, these products come with their own challenges. Fruits and vegetables are much more expensive than processed sugars, fillers and additives. Their availability depends on harvests and growing seasons. Natural ingredients can also expire faster and or need special storage and shipping. Supply and demand are also issues. Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients are harder to find and can cost more. Finding ingredients completely free of preservatives or processing agents can also be difficult.

Another challenge with natural sports nutrition products is how they’re used. Many are eaten on-the-go by athletes like marathon runners, cyclists, triathletes and rock climbers. These products need to be shelf-stable, meaning they can sit on a shelf without spoiling. To achieve this, many manufacturers use additives and preservatives. These ingredients also help extend the product’s shelf-life, or how long it can last before going bad. For managing inventory, longer shelf-life is often better. But for small brands like ours, which aim to offer "real-food" products, it can make it harder to get into bigger stores.

Before starting Levelle Nutrition, we didn’t know about these challenges. We simply wanted to make healthy, tasty sports nutrition products that women could feel confident using. Our goal was to meet our customers’ needs first, then figure out the manufacturing. This hasn’t been the easiest or most economical path, but it’s been the most rewarding. Whenever customers tell us our products have helped them avoid physical pain and continue doing what they love, we’re reminded why we started: to fuel active women to run the world with sports nutrition that’s honestly good. 

To learn more about Levelle Nutrition's mission and products, visit the website here.

This guest post is written by Levelle Nutrition.

Tina's Vodka brand logoTina’s Vodka is Non-GMO Project Verified, made with organic corn and is 100% woman-owned by Tina Karras, a self-made entrepreneur. Tina’s Vodka is also an official impact partner with Kiss the Ground, which supports and educates farmers and consumers on regenerative agriculture and soil health.

Vodka was originally created for medicinal purposes, and using the best and cleanest ingredients to produce vodka is another way of voting with your dollars and supporting food and beverages that positively impact the environment and humanity. The way that our food supply has been infiltrated with fake sugars and harmful chemicals and additives is now happening to wine, beer and spirits. Many alcoholic beverages have food coloring, chemical sugars, caramel or high-fructose corn syrup added to them, but these ingredients do not have to be listed on the labels so the consumer is left in the dark. Tina would like to use her vodka to educate consumers on the importance of clean beverages as well as clean food. Tina’s Vodka ingredients are listed on her label: water & spirit from organic corn.

“I believe in the natural wisdom of Planet Earth.”

Tina Karras, Founder & Owner of Tina’s Vodka

Tina’s logo is Athena’s owl sitting on top of an olive tree shaped like planet Earth, symbolic of the wisdom of our planet, Tina’s Greek ancestry and Tina’s Vodka’s woman ownership. Her bottles have etchings of Athena’s Owl on the front and on the back the letters alpha and omega and the word ΓΝΩΣΗΣ, which symbolize the field of knowledge — to know the source of your food and what is in the final product.

Tina’s Vodka is revolutionizing vodka

Tina grew up working in a family restaurant and her first job was washing dishes at 8 years old. She’s worked in the hospitality industry while in college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and while pursuing a songwriting career in Los Angeles. Her music and hospitality careers merged first when she became the buyer at the legendary Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, CA and then again when she was inspired to create Tina’s Vodka. Through many tastings at the Roxy and other music venues she managed, Tina realized that most domestic spirits were made from pesticide-laden GMO crops that were terrible for the environment and for all life. She decided to create a delicious craft vodka that uses only Non-GMO Project Verified organic corn. She hopes to create awareness of the optimistic climate story of regeneration and the importance of non-GMO seeds in our food supply through her vodka. Soil health is the key to our health, and using organic and non-GMO seeds and avoiding toxic pesticides like glyphosate is better for everyone. Supporting brands that use these crops is the best way to get these toxic chemicals out of our food supply.  

Tina’s Vodka distills the vodka up to 6 times and then crafts the vodka through our proprietary filtration method to ensure the vodka is pure and clean and puts Tina’s in a vodka category all her own. This filtration method gives the vodka a better mouth feel and is smooth and easy to drink even when it’s served neat at room temperature. 

Tina’s Vodka launched in California officially on February 2, 2022, with Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits as her distributor and then in her home state of North Carolina in late 2023. It is available to ship to 44 states online. Tina tells the story of regeneration and non-GMO seeds at every sales call, staff training and distributor meeting, and most of her social media is dedicated to spreading the optimistic message. About a third of corn grown in the USA is used for human consumption, including alcoholic beverages. If all that corn were converted to non-GMO seeds and farmers stopped using glyphosate, the environmental impact would be enormous! No more chemical run-offs and poison seeping into the crops and soil. The insects, bees, birds, vermin, and animals could then resume their proper role in nature and it would be beautiful. The wisdom of planet Earth and nature far surpasses human knowledge, and if we allowed the wisdom of nature to lead, we’d all be much healthier and happier.

Tina is working with restaurants that also care about clean and organic food including the Giorgios Group which has restaurants like Kipos Taverna, G-Prime and Parizade across North Carolina.

###

About Tina’s Vodka 

Tina’s Vodka is Non-GMO Project Verified, made with organic corn, American made, and is 100% woman-owned by Tina Karras. Distilled up to 6 times and then filtered using our proprietary method to ensure the vodka is pure and clean and the highest quality that you can taste and feel. Tina’s Vodka is the best and cleanest vodka on the market with 91 points at Wine Enthusiast.  

For more information Visit tinasvodka.com and follow them on  instagram.com/tinasvodka and facebook.com/tinasvodka 

Women's Business Enterprise National Council logo

About the Non-GMO Project

The Non-GMO Project is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to building and protecting a non-GMO food supply. The Non-GMO Project Verified seal remains North America’s most trusted third-party verification for GMO avoidance. Backed by our rigorous Standard, the Butterfly label is a meaningful way for brands and retailers to show their commitment to non-GMO choices and the food transparency that shoppers seek. Learn more at www.nongmoproject.org. Follow the Project on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Media Contact

Despina Karras, despina@tinasvodka.com

Traditional Aleppo soap has been a powerful tool for natural beauty and skincare regimens for centuries. Aleppo soap comprises just three natural ingredients: laurel oil, olive oil and water. While the skincare benefits of olive oil are well-known, laurel oil might be less familiar to many people. 

Laurel oil's long history as a powerful aid to health and beauty routines is supported by hard science, with many recent studies supporting its efficacy and environmental benefits.

Ancient roots, modern science

The use of laurel oil in traditional Aleppo soap can be traced back to the ancient city of Aleppo, Syria, where it was valued for its cleansing properties and therapeutic benefits. In antiquity, it was one of the only skin-safe, natural resources that effectively killed germs and bacteria. 

To this day, Aleppo soap remains one of the healthiest means of natural daily cleansing. Its benefits are backed by hard science, with recent studies supporting laurel oil's efficacy in protecting skin from oxidative stress1 and treating various skin conditions2 while being gentle on sensitive or inflamed skin.3

Why laurel oil?

Laurel oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that offer myriad benefits for the skin. These components work together to nourish, hydrate and protect the skin, making it a gentle yet effective cleanser. 

The benefits of laurel oil include the following:

Works in harmony with the environment

Laurel oil is a wild-crafted ingredient, meaning it’s harvested by hand from wild plants in their native habitat, free from genetic modification. It is a biodegradable compound harvested from a sustainable crop.

Laurel oil is derived from berries harvested from the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). Bay leaves are a common seasoning and are often used decoratively on wreaths. Once established, bay laurels are a sustainable crop that can live for hundreds of years. The trees grow with very little water and enhance biodiversity by harnessing the potential of an underutilized species.

Harvesting laurel oil reduces the ecological footprint associated with mass-produced synthetic soaps.

Since Laurus nobilis is less well-known as other herbs and spices, such as rosemary and thyme, there is less demand for it. The plant takes a long time to mature, making it less attractive to commercial growers looking for plants they can harvest more quickly

As we navigate the vast landscape of skincare options, the benefits of ancient, time-tested remedies reign supreme. With its proven moisturizing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, laurel oil remains a cherished ingredient, offering a natural and effective solution for those seeking radiant and healthy skin while treading lightly on the Earth.

Guest writer: This piece was provided by Lowy's Soap founder, Ben Lowy. Lowy's traditional Aleppo Soap announced their Non-GMO Project verification in January, 2024.

Sources:

1 Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2015

2 International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2012

3 Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015

Nestled in Napa, CA, the heart of the Curiel family beats with a passion for crafting authentic tortillas and tortilla chips. Founded in 1991, Morenita Foods embarked on a flavorful journey that has now touched the taste buds of many across California's Bay Area.

What started as a local restaurant venture quickly transformed as Morenita Foods’ chips won hearts with their unique crunch and distinctive flavors. Today, their products grace over 140 locations in Northern California, a testament to the love they've garnered over the years.

In November, Morenita Foods became a pioneer in the Non-GMO Project’s Equitable Transfer Program. Using the funds to facilitate Non-GMO Project verification, Morenita Foods’ Vice Jefe, Jerry Curiel, emphasized the importance of preserving ancestral heritage. "As a Mexican American, corn is not just a staple but is entrenched in our culture. It was vital for us to use only non-GMO ingredients," Jerry expressed.

He applauded Mexico's efforts in banning GMO corn, finding it a validation of their mission. Jerry acknowledged the time it takes to tackle the GMO issue but expressed hope for a brighter future, thanks to organizations like the Non-GMO Project.

Jerry shared a poignant cultural connection, comparing his parents' migration to the monarch butterfly's journey, symbolizing resilience and the pursuit of a brighter future.

Since achieving Non-GMO Project verification, Morenita Foods partnered with UNFI, a renowned wholesale distributor specializing in natural and organic products. This collaboration aims to bring Morenita Foods' unique chips to more households, aligning with its mission to provide healthier food options.

Morenita Foods’ tortilla chips are crafted in small batches and boast three distinct flavors: Original, Salt & Lime, and Chile Lime. From their original creation in 2002 to the zesty Salt & Lime flavor in 2011 and last year’s addition of Chile Lime, Morenita Foods continues to innovate and bring smiles one tortilla chip at a time.

Chilaquiles Recipe

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Explore Morenita Foods’ deliciously different tortilla chips online or locate them through the retail map on their website, www.morenitachips.com. Stay updated and inspired by following their Instagram and Facebook pages for more tantalizing recipes. Indulge in La Morenita's flavors and bring a piece of tradition to your table.

Guest writer: This piece was written for Morenita Foods by Jackie Roldan. Morenita Foods was a 2023 recipient of the Non-GMO Project's Equitable Transfer Program funding.

crossarrow-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram