#175 Move Beyond Your Own Kitchen - Jolma, Amza Superfoods

Meaningful Marketplace Podcast

Amza. Say it. Now say it slowly with your eyes closed. It hums, it’s peaceful and rhythmic, isn’t it? It’s a beautiful word. It also is a region in Tibet and the birthplace of The Dalai Lama. And fittingly it is the name of Amza Superfoods a company founded by Jolma who is from Amza. Born and raised in Rebbong (རེབ་གོང་།), Amdo region of Tibet and growing up in Rebgong, Jolma was exposed to a vibrant cultural hub known for Tibetan arts (literature, painting & food). Jolma learned cooking at a young age from her beloved late grandmother, Sonam, who also raised her. Sonam was born a nomad and was illiterate her entire life. Still, she understood the value of education and told Jolma, "To discover the world, one must move beyond her own kitchen." Sonam’s determination inspired Jolma to become the 1st girl from her village to earn a college degree and was the impetus for Jolma’s journey from Asia to Europe and eventually to America. She learned English from the ABCs at age 30 and that drive to succeed continued as Joma sought to honor her grandmother and other disadvantaged Tibetan women like her by drafting a memoir cookbook, Beyond Her Kitchen, chronicling Tibet's healthy eating traditions and the stories behind each bite. It was more than a cookbook and more than a tribute, it was the book that her grandmother COULD NOT write because of her illiteracy. Jolma penned the book while working as a product user experience designer to support her son while he was going to a University. After he was done, Jolma then decided to go from cookbook to business. This seed from the cookbook bloomed into a meaningful food business, Amza Superfoods, from her Portland, Oregon kitchen. Amza Superfoods offers a family of nutrition-dense, tasty, sustainable nourishment that celebrates Tibetan culture. Amza prioritizes sustainability, social impact, and local sourcing of 100% natural, heirloom whole grains, delivered in eco-friendly packaging. They also empower underprivileged women and girls in Tibet through education. The hearty Tsamba snacks, barley breakfast mixes, and flaxseed spreads are handcrafted in small batches with Oregon bounty. They provide a convenient way to get high fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. There is a broad product line of bagged snacks and jars of flaxseed spread. Joma has added some warm spice to some of the spreads and the flavor warms the tongue without being too hot. And check out the health benefits of flaxseed when you have time. Jolma has been selling well at local farmers markets, but anyone can buy online at the website: AmzaSuperfoods.com. Follow Jolma on Twitter – @AmzaSuperfoods, LI - @AmzaSuperfoods, Instagram – @AmzaSuperfoods, Facebook – @AmzaSuperfoods. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall.

Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

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Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers
Show logo designed: Anton Kimball of Kimball Design
Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch