The 2021 NEXTY Award has just been given to Global Village Foods – an allergy-friendly, African-inspired frozen meals company headquartered in Windsor, VT. The award was presented for their full meal line and their Ethiopian Lentil Combo in the Best New Special Diet Food category.

NEXTY Awards recognize the most progressive, innovative, inspiring, and trustworthy products in the natural products industry. Owners Damaris and husband Mel Hall began the African restaurant in Vermont several years ago as a result of their child having serious food allergies. Damaris wanted to celebrate the bold African recipes from her Kenyan childhood while making it easy and delicious to eat allergy-friendly. Now, their line of meals are in Whole Foods and natural co-ops across the Northeast.

Some options include the Moroccan-inspired Lemon Chicken and olives with preserved lemon and green olives – one of five dishes in a line also included Inspired Curry Chicken, Ethiopian Vegan Lentil Combo, Chickpea Vegetable Tajine, and African No-Nut Vegan Stew. Recently, they introduced a meal delivery service so customers can get their ready-to-eat meals, samosas, and more shipped directly to their doors. The goal of Global Village Foods is to provide meals to families so they can eat well and without worry, according to Damaris, who indicated on their Facebook page that the business is “still on a high” from the NEXTY Award win. “We were picked from an amazing list of 800 entries and 77 finalists,” she noted. “It’s been such an inspiring, humbling experience to make food for the Upper Valley and to serve our community with weekly meals. Our frozen, locally sourced, allergy-friendly meals have fed many families over the past year. And the Everyone Eats program has served more than one million meals across Vermont.” The owners are quick to recognize the organizations that make their business possible, including Vital Communities, Upper Valley Haven, and Willing Hands. “Truly, it takes a village,” said Damaris. “Thanks for being part of ours.”

Global Village Foods is located at 2781 US Route 5N, Windsor, VT 05089. Contact 802-281-4370 or www.globalvillagecuisine.com