The collaborative effort of Chicagoland food business IYA Foods (known for its “exceptional taste through the use of authentic, African-inspired flavor”) and Terra Ingredients—a supplier of organic and non-GMO ingredients—entered into a partnership, the result was an innovative new rice flour alternative: fonio flour.
The product is entirely plant-based, gluten-free, and non-GMO. It is developed for health-conscious consumers who are looking to substitute their conventional flour with one that has a higher nutritional value. Fonio is known as "an incredibly versatile ancient grain that has been cultivated and consumed for centuries in West Africa."
Following the debut of the fonio flower late last year, IYA Foods and Terra Ingredients "anticipate [to continue] reinventing traditional household staples in a familiar and instinctive fashion." Health-conscious consumers are sure to create a demand for this type of collaboration.
Image Credit: Terra Ingredients x IYA Foods
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Plant-based Flour Alternatives
- The development of alternative flours made from plant-based sources creates opportunities for innovation in the food industry, especially in creating nutritious options that cater to health-conscious consumers.
- Ancient Grains
- The use of ancient grains, such as fonio, in food products presents innovative opportunities for revitalizing traditional dishes and developing new, unique products for health-conscious and adventurous consumers.
- Gluten-free Products
- The increasing demand for gluten-free products creates opportunities for innovation in the food industry, including the development of gluten-free flour alternatives made from plant-based sources.
Sectors Adopting This
- Food and Beverage
- The food and beverage industry can innovate by developing nutritious alternatives to conventional flour, incorporating ancient grains in food products, and meeting the increasing demand for gluten-free products.
- Health and Wellness
- The health and wellness industry has a chance to leverage the popularity of plant-based and gluten-free products by promoting the nutritional benefits of this innovative flour alternative.
- Agriculture
- The agriculture industry can take advantage of the rise of plant-based and gluten-free products by increasing the production of crops like fonio, an ancient grain with high nutritional value.
