BUSINESS
meet the company that made brownies healthy
Mother and daughter team , Charlotte and Jess , founded their company , 100 % Natural Foods , from their family kitchen in Brighton . Currently producing a range of irresistible brownies that are free from gluten , dairy , and refined sugar , their family recipes are 100 % healthy , 100 % delicious and 100 % natural , and all of their products are made using renewable energy and ecofriendly packaging . We got the low down on what inspired them to create a healthy brownie and what the future holds for the company .
Hi Charlotte and Jess ! What inspired you to create 100 % natural brownies ? We felt the market was missing a product that was free from gluten , dairy and refined sugar , was made with ethically sourced ingredients , and still tasted like a delicious treat . Charlotte made the brownies for family and friends long before we decided to sell them , but starting our brand seemed like a natural progression as we wanted to offer people a product we felt the market was missing .
You began producing your brownies in your own family kitchen in Brighton – where do you make them now and are you still as involved in the physical production ? We handmade thousands of brownies over a period of four years , initially from our home kitchen in Brighton and then from a tiny kitchen unit . Eventually , we realised we just couldn ' t keep up with demand and decided to outsource our production in December 2015 . Our brownies are now made in a lovely factory in the Cotswolds , using 100 % renewable energy . It took over a year to get the taste and quality right , but it was definitely worth it . We aren ' t involved in the physical production anymore , but we are very much involved in how the brownies are made and what ingredients are used .
What makes your brownies stand out from others on the market ? Our brownies taste good and do good . We have such amazing feedback on the taste of our brownies and people are always so surprised that they ’ re free from gluten , dairy and refined sugar , but actually do taste like a rich , chocolatey brownie . The ingredients are consciously sourced and the brownies are produced using renewable energy , which means our brownies do good for the farmers and for the environment .
How closely do you work with your suppliers ? Why ? We work extremely closely with our suppliers to ensure that our ingredients come from an ethical source and to ensure that the producers receive a fair price and that the farms are environmentally sustainable . Working closely with our suppliers allows us to understand how the ingredients are grown and to witness first hand the positive impact that supporting small producers has on the local community .
How does this , in your opinion , impact the greater environmental picture ? The farming practices of smaller , organic farms is of huge benefit to the local eco-system and has a positive ripple effect on the greater environmental picture . Also , if all food businesses had a transparent supply chain , the expectations for fair prices and the quality of farming practices would improve , which in turn can only have a positive impact on the environment .
How important is it for people to know exactly what they ’ re eating ? It ' s important for food brands to be honest about what ' s in their food , where it comes from and how it ’ s processed . This allows people to make an educated choice on what they put in their bodies . The food you eat affects not only your body , but the people who produced and processed it .
What does the future hold for 100 % Natural Foods ? We have some exciting trips coming up where we will be visiting our suppliers ' farms and telling their stories . We are also launching our charity project : 100 % Natural Urban Jungle , as well as bringing out a new line of products .
Where can we buy your brownies ? And what are each of your favourite flavours ? We have four flavours of brownies : Raw Cacao , Goji & Acai Berry , Coconut & Chia , and Himayalan Rose Salt , which are available from Infinity Foods in Brighton , good health food shops across Sussex , and online from caprera . com . Our favourite flavour is Coconut & Chia at the moment ; we heat it up and have it with Booja Booja ice-cream ... delicious !
100 % Natural Foods 07984 665471 info @ 100percentnaturalfoods . co . uk www . 100percentnaturalfoods . co . uk
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