PORTLAND, OR Simplefare LLC, a Portland start-up, launches NUXY Graham, a non-dairy, soy-free organic frozen dessert, lovingly made from creamy cashews stuffed between two whole wheat graham crackers.
“I want my grandson to have a healthy dessert alternative,” says Mike Granum, the company’s founder. “He is my inspiration.” Mike’s goal was to create a plant-based, minimally refined treat, or as he says, “a delicious dessert that’s also a nutritious snack.”
NUXY Graham was developed at Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center, an organization committed to advancing Northwest foods. “Mike and his Executive Chef Carla Burns were relentless in sourcing the best local and international ingredients,” says Sarah Masoni, FIC’s Product Development Manager. “Not only did they learn from us, we learned from them. It was our first experience with a kosher product,” said Masoni. Groundworks Farms strawberries and Bob’s Red Mill organic whole wheat graham flour are among the local ingredients.
NUXYs can be found at a Portland coffee shop, many of Portland’s food co-ops, and will soon arrive on college campuses and natural foods supermarkets. “I’m excited to be the first store to carry NUXY Grahams!” said Traci Tryon of Bean &Tree Coffee, located on the RiverPlace Esplanade.
For additional information:
Mike Granum, Founder (971) 400-2419
Steve Fuchs, Partner (503) 488-5907
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
How the NUXY™ Got Its Name
Let's ask Mike a few questions about how the NUXY (nux-eee) got its name.
Mike: No one had ever created a creamy-cashew frozen sandwich before, so that freed us from conventional notions of how to name a new product.
Q: Does NUXY mean anything?
Mike: My partner Steve, who took four years of Latin, wanted to call it "nux," Latin for "nut," as cashews are our primary ingredient. But the name sounded way to harsh.
Q: Where'd the "Y" come from?
Mike: I was thinking about how to make the name softer, or "funner" as my grandson would say. Adding a "y" accomplished both.
Q: Why is there an umlaut over the U? Should it be pronounced like gooey?
Mike: Technically, yes. But the umlaut also turns the "U" into a happy face and that's what we like to do, make people happy with delicious, real food products. Or as we say, REAL FOOD, ALWAYS!™
Mike: No one had ever created a creamy-cashew frozen sandwich before, so that freed us from conventional notions of how to name a new product.
Q: Does NUXY mean anything?
Mike: My partner Steve, who took four years of Latin, wanted to call it "nux," Latin for "nut," as cashews are our primary ingredient. But the name sounded way to harsh.
Q: Where'd the "Y" come from?
Mike: I was thinking about how to make the name softer, or "funner" as my grandson would say. Adding a "y" accomplished both.
Q: Why is there an umlaut over the U? Should it be pronounced like gooey?
Mike: Technically, yes. But the umlaut also turns the "U" into a happy face and that's what we like to do, make people happy with delicious, real food products. Or as we say, REAL FOOD, ALWAYS!™
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Why is Simplefare Kosher?
A. In a nutshell, respect. We appreciate respect for our plant-based foods, and, in turn, we offer respect to different beliefs and dietary observances.
Q. On your NUXY box it says "Parve" under the Oregon "K" flag. What does that mean?
A. "Parve" foods, with limited exception (eggs and honey), contain NO animal products--note that Simplefare's products are 100% animal-free. Parve also means that the food is processed on machines that are not used for meat or dairy. This is especially important if you're kosher, because of the prohibition against mixing meat and dairy. Parve products allow you to mix them with any other kosher food, including meat or dairy.
Q. But most people are not kosher, so why do you feel this is important?
A. Because everyone benefits from strict kosher supervision. Translated, the Hebrew word "kosher" means "clean."
Q. Are you saying that non-kosher foods are unclean?
A. No, of course not. But what we are saying is that regular, strict rabbinical supervision assures the highest standards of cleanliness.
Q. Isn't that the government's job? Aren't you licensed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture?
A. Yes and yes, but it would cost the billions to maintain the level of supervision imposed on kosher food manufacturers. For example, it's not unusual for three inspectors to make surprise visits in one day! Let's see the government do that.
Q. Who exactly conducts these kosher inspections and what are their qualificaitons?
A. Mostly rabbis from Oregon Kosher, our certification supervisor. As you may know, rabbis are the moral and educational authority in traditional Jewish communities. They often have advanced degrees and are required to take post-graduate courses in the application of Jewish law to to food sourcing, preparation and safety.
As the Hebrew National commerical said, they report to "a higher authority."
Q. On your NUXY box it says "Parve" under the Oregon "K" flag. What does that mean?
A. "Parve" foods, with limited exception (eggs and honey), contain NO animal products--note that Simplefare's products are 100% animal-free. Parve also means that the food is processed on machines that are not used for meat or dairy. This is especially important if you're kosher, because of the prohibition against mixing meat and dairy. Parve products allow you to mix them with any other kosher food, including meat or dairy.
Q. But most people are not kosher, so why do you feel this is important?
A. Because everyone benefits from strict kosher supervision. Translated, the Hebrew word "kosher" means "clean."
Q. Are you saying that non-kosher foods are unclean?
A. No, of course not. But what we are saying is that regular, strict rabbinical supervision assures the highest standards of cleanliness.
Q. Isn't that the government's job? Aren't you licensed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture?
A. Yes and yes, but it would cost the billions to maintain the level of supervision imposed on kosher food manufacturers. For example, it's not unusual for three inspectors to make surprise visits in one day! Let's see the government do that.
Q. Who exactly conducts these kosher inspections and what are their qualificaitons?
A. Mostly rabbis from Oregon Kosher, our certification supervisor. As you may know, rabbis are the moral and educational authority in traditional Jewish communities. They often have advanced degrees and are required to take post-graduate courses in the application of Jewish law to to food sourcing, preparation and safety.
As the Hebrew National commerical said, they report to "a higher authority."
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