Sazi Foods develops and markets hemp seed-based food to people who are looking for delicious, plant-based alternatives to conventional meals. Sazi's consumers care about what they eat, care about the environment and would appreciate a brand that takes its responsibility seriously. Sazi aims to use its well-packaged and delicious foods and beverages as a voice to increase awareness of hemp — the world’s window to climate solutions.

The Problem is consumer perception of plant-based food — that it doesn't taste good. Nor does the mainstream consumer understand the urgency of tempering a conventional diet with more plant-based options.

The Sazi team has a long history of culinary excellence. It has the product development ability to make healthy, packaged foods taste unexpectedly good — balancing taste and nutritional impact. It also has the marketing originality to attract and engage consumers.

In order to celebrate the versatile hemp plant, R&D, merchandising and marketing ingenuity are essential. Hemp itself, helps: it is a delicious, protein- and fiber-rich ingredient, and a regenerative, environmental powerhouse. A mighty combination.

The impact of the 2018 Farm Bill has primarily resulted in a CBD-focused culture, offering medicinal options for pain, anxiety and sleep; and for building materials. Clearly there is a need in both industries. Sazi, however, is focusing on the opportunities to improve the food we eat and how we source it.

Plant-based food can be perceived as medicine, not appealing to a wide audience. In order to inform consumers, and effect change, Sazi’s hemp seed-based foods must aim to become mainstream with familiar offerings. And, of course, taste delicious.

Sazi Foods is a gamechanger. It brings something new to the plant-based food category — a broad line of delicious, protein-rich, fiber-filled foods made with hemp seeds.

Sazi’s product development is led by an award-winning food innovator and businesswoman whose palate has been trained by world-famous chefs. Lisa Newmann has commercialized “real food that tastes good” for decades and is applying her culinary and business knowledge to the new hemp economy.

Sazi is launching operations with a proprietary digital platform designed by seasoned marketing professionals. The uniquely qualified Sazi team has had years of success in the food industry bringing products to life.

Our plan is to start with an e-commerce model and food truck-only business, delaying grocery retail marketing until strong brand awareness is generated. Given the pandemic, we believe it’s the most practical and consumer-friendly approach to accelerating sales and building the Sazi brand.

Education & KPIs: The important indicators are cost per transaction, order value per transaction (the relationship between the two), the conversion rate, re-order rate and estimated lifetime value of consumers. Then, it’s how these factors are used to build a subscription business, which solidifies growth. Upon a successful MVP roll out, broad customer base and awareness, Sazi plans to add retail marketing to its growth strategy.

Hemp as Nourishment 

Hemp seeds are a nutritious source of plant-based healthy fats, protein and various minerals.

• They contain over 30% fat — in two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3).
• They are a great source of protein, with more than 25% of their total calories from high-quality protein.
• Whole hemp seeds are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, containing 20% and 80%, respectively.
• Hemp seeds are rich in phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc and Vitamin E.

Source: Healthline

Health as environmental Repair 

Hemp grows prolifically with little water and no pesticides. It takes up relatively little space, produces more pulp per acre than trees, and is biodegradable. Hemp crops give back by returning nutrients to the soil and sequestering carbon dioxide.

The success we’ve had to date is discovering the market need, creating a brand, formulating and commercializing recipes with a small but mighty team as an engine for innovation and growth.

To date, we have achieved the following:

• Conducted research on “the consumer perception of hemp”
• Conceived, named and developed the Sazi Foods brand
• Designed logo, packaging strategy and style
• Developed 9 products; next step: plant trials
• Sourced hemp packaging companies (film and boxes made from hemp)
• Confirmed team: CEO, F-CMO, Art Direction & Copywriting, E-commerce Sales Agency, PR firm, Contract Manufacturers for chocolate, cookies and chips
• Created website
• Memberships to networking associations (e.g. Global Hemp Association; Hemp Open Space)
• Attracted press: published interview with Lisa Newmann