VIDEO LiveKuna: We’re creating convenient, easy ways to eat superfoods such as chia and quinoa

By Elaine Watson

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Fancy Food Show

The latest innovation from LiveKuna – which works directly with Ecuadorian farmers to produce chia- and quinoa-packed products – is a line of ready-to-eat cereals that reflect the brand’s mission to create more convenient ways to consume superfoods.

The Kuna Pops! cereals – launched at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show​ earlier this month – come in three flavors: apple & cinnamon; banana; and chocolate, said co-founder Santiago Stacey, who founded LiveKuna​ with business partner Carlos Gutierrez in Ecuador in 2014.

Each serving contains 120 calories and 4g sugar (ingredients, apple & cinnamon: rice flour, quinoa flour, brown sugar chia seeds, apple and cinnamon natural flavor, vitamin C).

We started the business with one main ingredient: chia seeds," ​said Stacey.

"99% of the production of chia in Ecuador was being exported at that time, so we wanted to bring it back to our origins, so we started a business to create awareness of the benefits of chia. Then we ventured into other superfoods like quinoa ​[plus green banana and moringa], and last year we launched our line of superfood snacks called Kuna Pops! to make a more convenient, easy and nutritious way of eating those two ingredients.

"Although chia seeds still represent the majority of our revenue stream, our gluten-free flours are becoming very popular in North America as well as KunaPops! As for our flours, we have expanded on the west coast and will continue to grow our portfolio with Walmart nationwide. ​We've expanded to Mexico, Chile and the Caribbean since last year, making our products currently available across seven countries, and we expect to be profitable by Q2 2019."

He added: “We’re targeting ​[markets] from Ecuador all the way to Canada… and we’re here at the Fancy Food Show to expand our distribution in the US.”

People are fed up with ingredients they can’t pronounce

The allergen-friendly Kuna Pops! snacks​ – which contain Ganeden’s BC30 probiotic and 6g protein per serving – contain six ingredients: rice flour, quinoa flour, chia seeds, high-oleic sunflower oil, BC30, and seasonings.

“We launched at Expo West in 2018 and since then we’ve ventured into retail chains and health food stores in Canada,” ​said Stacey. “We’re on Amazon here in the US and vending machines across Florida. The idea is to keep expanding into more retail stores here in the US.

“We’re also here to disrupt the cereal category with a healthy alternative. People are fed up with ingredients they can’t pronounce and long lists of ingredients.”

Giving back

A key part of the mission at LiveKuna (Kuna means ‘to give’​​​ in Quechua, an indigenous language from the Andes) is “giving back to our community,” ​added Stacey.

"We've partnered with WE Charity​, so that for every bag of Kuna Pops! purchased we provide students in Ecuador with healthy food, and support agricultural training, school kitchens, and school gardens. Every bag has a code so you can track your impact. In 12 months we’ve supported 120 students through this program."

Asked about funding, he said: "In 2017 we participated in the Food-X accelerator​ becoming partners with SOSV​, the venture fund, which invested in our seed round.  We are currently raising our series A round to fuel our North American growth, increase agro-investment and new product development. We anticipate this round will double our sales and store count before 2020."

livekuna-pops
livekuna-banana-flour
livekuna-quinoa-and-greens

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Consumer Attitudes on Ultra-Processed Foods Revealed

Content provided by Ayana Bio | 12-Jan-2024 | White Paper

Ayana Bio conducted the Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Pulse survey, offering insight into consumers’ willingness to consume UPFs, as well as the variables...

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Future Food-Tech San Francisco, March 21-22, 2024

Content provided by Rethink Events Ltd | 11-Jan-2024 | Event Programme

Future Food-Tech is the go-to meeting place for the food-tech industry to collaborate towards a healthier food system for people and planet.

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Palate Predictions: Top Flavor Trends for 2024

Content provided by T. Hasegawa USA | 08-Jan-2024 | Application Note

As consumers seek increased value and experience from food and beverages, the industry relies on research to predict category trends. Studying trends that...

Oat Groats – Heat-treated Oat Kernels

Oat Groats – Heat-treated Oat Kernels

Content provided by Lantmännen Biorefineries AB | 06-Dec-2023 | Product Brochure

Lantmännen offers now Oat Groats: Heat-treated oat kernels, also known as oat groats or kilned oats, undergo heat treatment to inhibit enzymes that could...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars