Expanding Capacity with Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego Foods
Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego, shares how she’s leveraging a $3 Million USDA grant to expand Zego’s capacity and enhance the U.S. gluten-free grain supply chain through the acquisition of a processing facility. She talks about the importance of listening to farmers, explains why Montana oats are the cream of the crop, and shares how she’s helping build the future of purity verified and nutrient dense foods. Discover how her inclusive approach supports U.S. farmers, reduces costs for brands, and promotes a better food future for all.
Key Topics
Zego Foods and CIVC Montana’s acquisition of a processing facility in Montana
The expanded capacity and cost reduction for her brand, Zego Foods
How she’s helping other brands save up to a $1 their retail price
The importance of listening to farmers and customers before defining services, pricing, and processes
Securing and then re-securing the $3M USDA grants for expansion
Supporting U.S. farmers and brands in gluten-free grain processing
How Colleen is using AI to be more confident and efficient in her business
How the new business model helps Zego Foods lean into its mission
Zego’s Purity Verified commitment and expansion
Partnering with Edacious to measure nutrient density of regenerative grains
Sound Bites
“If we can decrease a brand’s cost by say 25 cents at the mill between co-packing and milling, that saves them a dollar on price point on the shelf.”
“We have developed a new way of pricing organic grain so that it is a lower price add-on compared to conventional to really encourage brands to go organic.”
“The rug was ripped out from underneath us. So by providing that transparency into what was happening with us on the ground and what it meant for other people, it gave people like OTA and CCOF the information that they needed to then go and tell those stories on our behalf in DC.”
“Hulless oats are higher in protein and fiber and iron. Those oats only like to grow in arid climates. So Montana is perfect. We're high, we're dry. We have the right growing season.”
“Vertically integrating has been fascinating and I have learned so much by listening. I came into this not knowing very much about farming, milling, equipment, or B2B sales for that matter.”
“I just listened to their problems. And that's how I got to learn more and more about just how challenging it is, what we're asking them to do and what we really need to do to support their business if we want them to support ours.”
“Zego Foods at its heart is 51 % for-profit company and 49 % advocacy organization.”
“We test for about 500 different pesticides, and for mycotoxins, gluten allergens and the big four heavy metals. All of that is traceable.”
