• Andrea Alex and Domingo Paulis of Posha Crunch

Food is on everyone’s minds these days, from the warnings of a looming food crisis to the growing levels of hunger we see among the poor each day on our streets. But what about nutrition? When we think of food, we rarely think of nutrition – how good what we’re eating is – at the same time. 

In a world where the fast-paced demands of daily life often leave little room for thought about nutrition, Posha Crunch, a small home-grown business (literally) has, over the past two years, become a beacon of health-conscious innovation as well as in terms of social enterprise. 

Founded by husband and wife duo Andrea Alex and Domingo Paulis, this Sri Lankan-born brand is on a mission to provide wholesome and nutritious snacks using local ingredients and produce while promoting sustainability and making a positive impact on local communities. 

The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with Andrea and Domingo for a chat on how they built Posha Crunch, its commitment to healthy, locally-sourced ingredients, and the profound difference it is making in both the environment and society.

A homemade dream turned reality

The story of Posha Crunch is one that began in the heart of a Sri Lankan home, in Andrea’s own kitchen, when she began baking and experimenting with recipes for her own child. This experimentation began because Andrea realised there was a significant gap in the market for nutritious and child-friendly snacks. 

Along her own path of experimentation with healthy recipes that could be child-friendly, she began posting her recipes (and the finished product) on Instagram to an overwhelming response from other parents, who all resonated strongly with Andrea’s own frustration with the lack of healthy snack options for kids. 

Thus began the journey to what would become Posha Crunch. Since starting out in her own kitchen, Posha Crunch has evolved into a thriving brand. Earlier this year, it made its debut in the retail market, offering an array of homemade baby and toddler snacks crafted with natural ingredients. Unlike many snacks on the market, Posha Crunch prides itself on being free of artificial additives and preservatives.

The product range includes a variety of treats, such as oats and dates biscuits, cheddar cheese snacks, and a veggie snack assortment featuring beetroot, carrot, gotukola, and spinach. What sets these products apart is their commitment to using locally-sourced ingredients from small-scale producers, supporting local businesses and farmers.

One of the primary ingredients of these nutritious snacks is the staple Lankan product – rice. “Sri Lanka has very nourishing food on the whole. Our most basic product is rice, which in itself is incredibly nourishing and we have so many different varieties, many of which are low GI (glycemic index) and heavily nutritious,” Domingo said, naming just a few types of nourishing rice – suwandel, kalu heenati, madathawalu, pachchaperumal, and masuran. “Why don’t we feed our kids these?” 

Using rice as a base was what led to Andrea developing the nutritious snacks that set Posha Crunch apart. 

A health revolution centred around healthy ingredients

Posha Crunch’s approach to creating healthy snacks using local and organic ingredients is a testament to its commitment to both nutrition and sustainability. The most common rice used is suwandel, which forms the foundation of many Posha Crunch snacks.

Domingo also added that this choice of rice as a base was deliberate, both in terms of providing low GI and high nutritional value as well as for affordability, and an active choice to use homegrown, sustainable ingredients and champion local resources and industry. 

The Posha Crunch approach is guided by the desire to offer nutritious snacks for children that are both wholesome and delicious. It focuses on avoiding the addition of excessive sugar or salt while ensuring a blend of healthy ingredients and flavours that even the fussiest young eaters can enjoy.

They have recently introduced a fruit-based snack range, working in collaboration with conscious entrepreneurship incubator Good Life X (GLX) to create a range of health snacks that use organic fruits like pineapple, mango, and banana, all with the same rice base to create nutrition-packed snacks.

Andrea also shared that they had created this new range of snacks with special consideration for children and adults with allergies. These snacks come in various allergy-friendly options, including gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, vegan, and organic choices. Developing these recipes required a lot of testing and fine-tuning. They substituted some ingredients, like coconut butter and coconut milk, which are readily available in our tropical island, to ensure that each snack tastes great while still being healthy.

Posha Crunch also looks to address a pressing issue for young parents in Sri Lanka, where convenient, healthy snacks for children are scarce. The market predominantly offers products laden with wheat flour and sugar, lacking the nutritional value necessary for growing children. Furthermore, the brand recognises the wider issue of hunger crises, even in suburban areas, and actively participates in programmes to combat this problem.

Domingo shared that the importance of nutrition in Sri Lanka was often overlooked amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, but not forgotten. Parents just seek out easy, quick solutions that will placate their kids.

Posha Crunch’s snacks provide a solution for busy parents who seek quick and nutritious options for their children, standing out with a range of natural flavours and colours, all without artificial additives. The use of locally-sourced, natural ingredients ensures that the snacks are not only tasty but also nutritious.

Taking wholesomeness beyond the snack itself

Posha Crunch isn’t just about providing nutritious snacks; it’s also deeply committed to giving back to the communities it works with, and Andrea and Domingo took Brunch through just how the brand gives back. 

Firstly, they have pledged to work with the Foundation of Goodness, ensuring that with every packet sold, they contribute to bettering the lives of children in need. They actively engage with schools, organising activities and providing essential meals that address nutrition and hunger crises.

Secondly, Posha Crunch places a strong emphasis on women empowerment. The brand goes above and beyond by handpicking women from challenging backgrounds, offering them training and opportunities to become financially stable. This aspect of their CSR reflects their commitment to making a meaningful impact on local communities.

Thirdly, they are environmentally-conscious, ensuring that their packaging is recyclable and designed to be interactive for kids. This eco-friendly approach demonstrates their genuine concern for the environment.

A shared vision for healthier snacking

When asked about Posha Crunch’s future, Domingo shared that they hope to expand in several ways over the coming years. One avenue in which they have already achieved some success is providing healthy snacks to hospitals – Posha Crunch recently became the in-patient snack for children at Lanka Hospitals. 

Andrea and Domingo are also eyeing the adult market, focusing on products tailored exclusively for adults that feature herbal ingredients. They are also working towards expanding their presence in the export market.

Andrea and Domingo also spoke about their journey of starting a brand together as husband and wife (Andrea heads R&D and Domingo heads Marketing and Strategy), sharing that their collaborative efforts have not only strengthened their brand, but have also added value to their marriage. While they admit to occasional disagreements, they view these as constructive arguments that fuel their creativity and ultimately lead to better products.

Looking ahead

As Posha Crunch continues to grow, it remains steadfast in its commitment to providing healthier snacking options and fostering positive change. The brand’s focus on using natural, locally-sourced ingredients sets it apart in a market dominated by less nutritious alternatives. The future holds exciting prospects, from expanding their product range to reaching new markets and demographics.

The challenges they faced while establishing the brand were significant. Convincing retailers of the need for healthier, nutritionally-rich snacks in a market saturated with sugary and less nutritious options was no small feat. However, their commitment to affordability is evident, as they aim to keep their products accessible to a wide range of consumers.

“We started this journey for our own child, and it’s incredible to see how it has resonated with parents around the world. Every child deserves access to nutritious, delicious snacks,” Andrea and Domingo said. 

Domingo added: “Our commitment to using local ingredients goes hand-in-hand with our dedication to creating healthier options. We believe that by sourcing locally, we can make a positive impact not only on children’s health but also on our local communities.”

With Posha Crunch’s unwavering dedication to health, sustainability, and social responsibility, the world can look forward to a future where nutritious snacks are not just a choice but a delightful and accessible reality for all.