It’s not that long ago that ‘free from’ food products were hidden away in lonely corners of the supermarket, aimed at coeliacs or those suffering from food allergies. Now, the Irish free-from food sector is valued at about €29 million, with sales of €40 million projected by 2020.

An undisputed superstar of this sector is Natasha’s Living Food – a health food company with a difference. All the foods created by this artisan company are sugar, dairy, gluten, egg, grain and soya free. In fact, Natasha’s raw vegan foods are made solely from plants.

Based in Park West, known for its reputation as an innovative business hub, Natasha’s Living Food was founded by Natasha Czopor in 2007. A lifelong vegetarian, she trained as a raw chef and saw a niche in the market for healthy snacks that not only taste great, but also offer nutritional benefits.

Natasha developed her business from her home kitchen and has grown the company into an award-winning business with five full-time and part-time staff. Ingredients are locally sourced where possible from sustainable sources and the company has a strong policy of selecting Irish ingredients first.

“Natasha’s Living Foods makes healthy snack alternatives, based on naturally grown wild or organically and sustainably raised fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains,” said Natasha.

“We always use fresh ingredients. Our foods are kid-friendly for athletes or mums on the go, and include super energy bars, coconut cacao slices, sprouted buckwheat granolas, kale crisps, super chocolates and more.”

Natasha’s Living Foods employs a cold-pressed, hand-pressed, low-temperature extraction technique and gentle fermentation process – all carried out in its factory in Park West.

This well-connected, centrally located campus is ideal for a company with ambitious distribution needs. Natasha is currently exporting to the UK and Italy and is planning to expand internationally to take advantage of the steadily burgeoning free-from market.

The range is available in the park from Spar in The Plaza and across Spar, Supervalu and independent health stores nationwide.

For more information visit – www.natashaslivingfood.ie