What’s a grain-free tortilla?

Siete Family Foods is a food company co-founded in 2014 by Veronica Garza and her family. Veronica is a Mexican-American entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. The company specializes in grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly Mexican-inspired foods, including tortillas, chips, and sauces.

Veronica was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders and eventually began following a grain-free diet to improve her health. In fact, her family all joined her in adopting this new way of eating to support her. However, it was a challenge because it required cutting out ingredients like corn and wheat which are staples of Mexican food. She found that eating tacos and fajitas with lettuce leaves instead of the traditional tortillas made from wheat flour, was unsatisfying. Veronica and her mom began experimenting with grain-free tortillas made from alternative ingredients like almond flour and cassava flour. The tortillas were a hit with family and friends. She knew she had created something special when her grandmother told her that the grain-free tortillas tasted better than hew own homemade flour tortillas.^[1]

Veronica’s family owned a CrossFit gym in Laredo, Texas. Many of the CrossFitters also followed a paleo diet and were thrilled to buy Veronica’s homemade grain-free tortillas so they they could enjoy Mexican food again. Then Veronica and her brother Miguel approached Wheatsville, a co-op grocery in Austin, TX. After Wheatsville decided to carry the gluten-free tortillas, the Garzas found a gluten-free commercial kitchen to increase their production. The tortillas soon became the best selling product in Wheatville’s refrigerated case.^[2]

Since then, Siete Family Foods has grown and expanded. They participated in a business accelerator called SKU and received advice through mentoring and analyzing their business. They sought out investors.^[3] The company’s products are now sold in thousands of stores across the United States including Kroger, Whole Foods, Target, Albertson’s, and Walmart.

In addition to its focus on healthy and allergen-friendly foods, Siete Family Foods is also known for its commitment to uplifting the Latinx community. The Siete Juntos Fund, which translates to “Together Fund,” provides funding to Latinx-owned small businesses. In 2022, they gave cash awards to 3 taquerias: Nana’s Taqueria, La Santa Barbacha, and Chilte Tacos.^[4] For the packaging of their Buñuelos cinnamon crisps, the company commissioned artwork from Carmen Rangel, a Mexican-American painter from Austin, TX.^[5]

Overall, Siete Family Foods is a great example of a company founded by an entrepreneur with a passion for healthy, culturally-inspired foods, and a commitment to community.