Amazi Foods

Our products do good, but are they good for you? Absolutely!

That’s what makes Amazi unique — our commitment to making you feel good doesn’t stop at the source. What’s the point of mindfully making snacks that are anything but? We’re committed to handcrafting products that are just as good for you as they are “good” by nature — as nutrient dense as can be and designed with you and your health in mind.

Amazi Foods

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About The Brand

I studied abroad and did my thesis research in Uganda. While living there, I was blown away by their organic tropical fruits, bursting with flavors unlike back at home. But stand after stand, people traded fruits raw or looked for cheap ways of processing or exporting. I had heard stories about cocoa farmers never seeing a chocolate bar. This anecdote sums up a lot about our supply chains as a whole.

Those at the resource were completely separate from the opportunity and innovation that existed in the global market—resulting in high unemployment and food waste. Meanwhile, back at home, consumers looking for products that serve a higher purpose, there was a huge opportunity missed not only for local industry and job creation, but also to satisfy a growing need for US consumers.

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Certified Products

Chili and Lime Amazi Jackfruit Chews

Ginger and Turmeric Amazi Jackfruit Chews

Salted Coconut Oil Amazi Plantain Chips

Ginger and Lime Amazi Jackfruit Chews

Salted Olive Oil Amazi Plantain Chips

Chili Spiced Amazi Plantain Chips

FAQ

Amazi means “water” in Luganda. To us, water is the essence of growth, and here at Amäzi, we’re committed to growing agricultural supply chains. Symbolically, you can’t grow without Amäzi. Plus, we love that it’s similar to “amazing” – talk about positive word association!

All Amäzi products are organically grown, but not certified organic – yet! What does this mean? While we recognize the importance of Certified Organic and have started the process of getting our Organic Certification, we also have spent quite a bit of time building up relationships with what we call “transitional” farmers, and we do our best to include those who are working toward certifications into our sourcing model. From initial training to final audits, certifying farmers can take up to three years. It’s not only a huge commitment for brands to get Organic Certification, but also for the suppliers they work with. It’s an investment. It’s asking them to farm at a higher standard, to do away with any “lazy” chemically subsidized farming methods, to plant barriers and to intercrop with nitrogen enriching beans or coffee, to conduct more checks, to keep records, and ultimately, to be patient. While farmers go through this “transitional” time, many of the buyers who commit to Organic cannot purchase from them, until all audits are complete and finalized. They would risk their certification if they prematurely sourced, and we respect that. In our experience working directly with farmer’s groups, this is a big ask for smallholder farmers, and we want to reward them for their hard work along the way – we want to keep them encouraged. With that, while we don’t require all farmers in our network to be Organic Certified, we do require they’re undergoing organic training and checks. Hence, our label “Organically Grown and Made in Uganda.”

Our products and facility are free of tree nuts and peanuts, but please note that our Salted Coconut Oil contain Coconut Oil.

While Amäzi is not certified Gluten Free, it has no gluten containing ingredients and is both packaged and handled in a gluten free space. There are no wheat products in any of our production locations..

Great question. Amäzi takes a unique approach to plantain chips – we dry and roast them, instead of frying or high-temp roasting in lots of oil. The result? A hearty crunch and bold flavor, but without any of the grease. Sometimes, they’ll taste like a cross between dried fruit and a chip, with a hint of caramelization to them. They’ll have a denser texture, due to the drying process, which may give them a bit more bite, but we find that to be much more satisfying – and perfect for topping your yogurt, smoothie bowls, salads, or dunking in your favorite dip!

We believe in building partnerships that are direct and open with the farmers from which we source. We include them in conversations on pricing, seasonality, partnership arrangements, and more, so that they can make informed, fair decisions while we work together. We aim to cut out any third parties, with our production teams purchasing directly from farming cooperatives or family-owned farms. Under standard practice, farmers will sell crops to passing middlemen, who then sell produce for hiked up prices in trading centers and markets. Because of their remote locations, farmers are often at the mercy of passing traders, and therefore, cannot ensure fair pricing. This not only results in unfair earnings for farming communities, it also has implications for levels of food waste. Whatever is unsold or unused is left to rot – both at the market and farm level. Direct Trade requires a negotiated contract, under which both suppliers and farming communities have agreed to fair purchase levels and prices. Farmers groups can expect consistent purchases with a price point depending on seasonality. Ultimately, this is the nature of a direct relationship. Being honest, knowing the farmers at the source, and letting the farmers know us – as well.