Just one year after its launch, AYO Foods, maker of West African-inspired meal solutions, has seen its distribution increase 80 times due to expanded placement in retailers nationwide.
"We're so excited to experience such tremendous growth in just a short period of time," said AYO Foods co-founders Fred and Perteet Spencer in a statement. "Our fast expansion with leading retailers like Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods marks meaningful progress toward our goal of building a more inclusive grocery landscape. Now people from West Africa, along with anyone who is seeking to try the vibrant flavors of the region, can join the AYO family to celebrate our food culture, which has been significantly underrepresented in the U.S. food and grocery landscape for years."
The expansion of AYO Foods products will also allow the company to meet the growing demand in the U.S. for the flavors of West Africa. On Pinterest, searches for West African recipes saw a 311 percent jump in 2019, according to the company.
Its products include:
Chicken Yassa: Marinated chicken thighs, caramelized onions, lemon, and dijon served over jasmine rice.
Waakye: Anson Mills red peas and jasmine rice slow cooked with red sorghum leaves and served with an aromatic red sauce.
Jollof Rice: One pot rice and spices stewed in an aromatic base of tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
Puff Puff: Subtly sweet yeast-based dough lightly fried to be enjoyed as a sweet or savory side.
Cassava Leaf Stew: Ground cassava leaves, chicken, and spices slow cooked into a stew.
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