It was a dark and stormy night...
I know it's cliché to start a story like that, but in this case it happens to be true.
The first time my daughter Genevieve was rushed to the emergency room for an allergic reaction was the most terrifying experiences of my life and it’s a night I’ll never forget.
It was pouring outside, and I was still at work so luckily Gen was with her mother. Having allergies herself and the ability to stay calm in emergencies, Genevieve’s mom knew exactly what to do.
I on the other hand ran out of work so fast after she called, I forgot my jacket and car keys in the office. Of course I didn't realize it until I went to unlock the car door, so I had to run back across the parking lot getting drenched the entire way.
When I finally got to the hospital room and saw my baby girl lying in that bed it took all of my strength not to burst into tears. I held it together until she looked at me through puffed up eyes and weakly squeezed my finger with her swelled little hand.
That night changed everything for our family and sent us on a journey that brought me here today.
As a food allergy parent, you know this journey well. Finding out your child has anaphylactic food allergies has life-changing effects on the entire family.
No longer can you just grab whatever looks good off the grocery store shelf. Every product you buy could potentially contain an allergen making simple purchases a life-threatening choice.
This means getting used to that look on your child's face when you tell them they can't have something because of their allergies.
I say "get used to" but you never do. Seeing that look of disappointment because they can't go to a birthday party or have a treat everyone else can is heart breaking.
On top of that, it also means your child could be susceptible to other health issues due to the inability to obtain all of the vital nutrients they need through their diet.
It was that look of disappointment and concern for my daughter’s health that led me to search for a way to make food that not only tasted great but replaced the vital nutrients her diet was missing.
This search eventually led to a plant grown in the mountains of Peru and inspired the creation of CHAKANA SUPERFOODS.
What is Sacha Inchi?
Sacha inchi is probably the least known superfood that comes from the sacha inchi plant found in the Peruvian Amazon Forest. The use of Sacha Inchi dates back over 3 thousand years and the health benefits were well known to the ancient Incas. Their warriors used the oil from the seeds for cooking to acquire strength and wisdom.
This is not surprising as Sacha Inchi is one of the few plants considered to be a complete protein meaning it contains all the essential Amino Acids which aid in muscle growth and repair. It also has 17 times more omega 3 fatty acids than wild salmon and is packed with other essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
In addition, it is known to promote healthy skin, regulate and aid brain health, assist with diabetes and weight loss, soothe arthritis pain, regulate eye pressure, help maintain proper kidney functioning, and more.
The versatility of the plant means the seeds can be consumed in a variety of ways. They can be roasted for a crunchy snack, cold pressed into cooking oil, or ground into a powder to blend into meals or smoothies.
The "Giving Seed"
Many Amazonians call sacha inchi the "giving seed". Not only for it's many health benefits, but for its versatility and sustainability.
Because it has a long crop life and produces high yields year long, less space is needed to grow these plants which cuts back on deforestation. This also means the growing and maintenance costs are lower than other oil producing plants giving an economic incentive for local farmers to grow this sustainable crop.
We source our sacha inchi through partnerships with small farmers from several communities in the Andean highlands and the Amazon rainforest. By following fair trade and environmental principles, your purchases directly contribute to providing a living wage to the local people while at the same time, protecting the environment.
Top 8 Free Facility
Our product is produced and packaged in a dedicated Top 8 Allergen-Free facility as outlined by the USDA. It is free-from; dairy, peanuts, tree-nuts, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.
As a food allergy parent myself I know how dangerous cross-contamination can be. With a production facility that does not allow any top 8 allergens in the building, you never have to worry.
From Our Founder
Having a daughter with many severe food allergies, I intimately know the challenges our customers face.
From the worry that goes into every shopping trip, to the terrifying experience of rushing your child to the emergency room. Not to mention the concern of whether your child is getting the nutrition they need.
Parents of allergic children encounter unique problems that Chakana Superfoods aims to help you take head on.
Brad Flies
