Struggle between what’s healthy and what’s tasty is real and we all know it. Especially so when it comes to kids and their young, developing taste buds. Parenting in the 21st century is like juggling healthy choices and happy faces, but what if the answer to both is as tiny as a grain? Enter millet, India’s age-old treasure, now reborn as the coolest healthy food for kids!
From playful breakfast bites to delicious snacks and sweets, Indian homegrown millet brands are rewriting the rules of nutrition. What’s more? These brands have been founded by Mothers themselves, who in their journey to finding tasty and nutritious foods for their little ones stumbled on their entrepreneurial dreams. So here are 3 Women-led, or shall we say mom-led, Millet food brands for kids.
Why Millets?
Millets like ragi, bajra, jowar, and foxtail millet are nutritional powerhouses. They’re gluten-free, high in fiber, rich in protein, and packed with essential minerals. Beyond their health benefits, millets are also eco-friendly as they thrive in arid regions, require minimal water, and grow without excessive chemical inputs.
This ancient Indian superfood grain has been gaining attention of the world after the UN’s declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
1. Little Cherry Foods by Jyoti Srivastava
Mompreneur Jyoti Srivastava, a chemical engineer by profession, started Little Cherry Foods, a kid-friendly milled-based baby food brand, in 2022. From millet noodles and pancake mixes to healthy sweets and milk mixes, the brand caters to busy parents seeking nutritious, Indian options for their little ones, while keeping in mind the taste buds of its young consumers.
From designing rockets to be commissioned in the Indian Army to starting an “Indian-essence” baby food venture, Jyoti’s entrepreneurial journey started after her own struggles and experiences after the birth of her child in 2019. Once she stumbled into the world of Millets while looking for nutritious and natural desi food options for her child, she knew she wanted to share her knowledge with other parents.
2. Some More Foods by Deepa Muthukumarasamy
When “Nutritionist Mom” Deepa Muthukumarasamy (a master’s in Food and Nutrition) was making millet-based health mixes at home for her toddler, she didn’t know back then that it would turn into a food venture later. Her first product caught the attention of her friends and neighbors. This also made her see the market gap for parents who are looking for healthy food for kids. Thus, pushing her to start Some More Foods in 2013.
This mompreneur’s first product was a Complete Health Mix, a nourishing blend of cereals, pulses, and nuts, crafted specifically for her son. Deepa now has a brand where you can buy Millet noodles, pastas, vermicelli, gluten-free cookies, and even quick-bite snacks. She is constantly trying to raise awareness around the benefits of millet, especially for kids, be it through her social media and by participating in exhibitions across the country.
3. Slurrp Farm by Shauravi Malik and Meghana Narayan
Shauravi Malik and Meghana Narayan started Slurrp Farm with the idea to bring healthy food for kids that mothers across the country could trust as it has been created by two mothers. The brand has slowly become one of the most known millet food brands, so much so that it is now backed by actress Anushka Sharma (another mom seeking healthy food for kids!).]
At Slurrp Farm you will be spoiled for choices between ready-to-eat and ready-to-prepare healthy options including cereals, cookies, noodles, pastas, pancake mixes, dosa mixes, milk mixes, snacks, superfoods, and even natural sweeteners.
If you too are looking for something that’s delicious and nutritious for your little ones, you might want to explore one of these homegrown millet food brands for kids led by Mompreneurs.
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