Professor Torbert’s Biofortified Orange Corn

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NutraMaize’s goal is to use Professor Torbert’s Orange Corn to deliver more of these potent antioxidants through approachable foods that can easily integrated into the average Ameicans diet. So grab some Professor Torbert’s Orange Corn and dig in!

Evan & Professor Tobert Rocheford (Cofounders of NutraMaize LLC) stand in an Indiana corn field holding biofortified vitamin enhanced orange corn cobs.

The picture shows the difference in color between orange corn versus standard milled products made from white or yellow corn.

Professor Torbert observing and enjoying the biofortified orange corn as it is growing in a greenhouse at Purdue University.

Link to Amazon for Purchase of Professor Torbert’s Orange Corn Grits and Flour

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Eye Health Benefits of Professor Torbert’s  Orange Corn

During the process of developing high provitamin A orange corn lines for Africa, Professor Torbert also produced lines with significantly higher levels of the lesser known, non-provitamin A, carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin (L/Z). This is an important development for the US because most Americans are at a significantly increased risk of losing their vision as they age because they don’t get enough of these two specific antioxidant carotenoids in their diets.

L/Z are the only pigments deposited in the macular region of the eye, where they are thought to protect it from UV light damage and free radical attack. Numerous studies have shown an inverse relationship between L/Z consumption and risk for age-related eye diseases. Unfortunately, since L/Z are primarily found in green leafy vegetables, most American’s consume only 10-25% of the L/Z levels associated with reduced risk.

NutraMaize’s goal is to use Professor Torbert’s Orange Corn to deliver more of these potent antioxidants through approachable foods that can easily integrated into the average Ameican’s diet. So grab some Professor Torbert’s Orange Corn Grits or flour and dig in!

(Text from Professor Torbert’s website)

Professor Torbert’s Shrimp and Grits

About the Recipe: This is as classic as it gets: when you think grits, you think shrimp and grits! This is Professor Torbert’s take on the recipe, hearty and full of flavor. Perfect for a Southern breakfast, or a great meal any time of day!

pdf for Copy of Recipe – Professor Torbert’s Shrimp and Grits

 

Vegan Shrimp & Grits:

About the Recipe: Not everyone eats meat or animal products, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying shrimp and grits! This recipe was designed with easy alternatives in mind, with fried tofu instead of shrimp, but you are more than welcome to use vegan shrimp instead. With its deep flavor and beautiful colors, this dish might even give classic shrimp and grits a run for its money!

pdf for Copy of Recipe – Vegan Shrimp & Grits

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NutraMaize is rooted in a global movement dedicated to improving health through more nutritious foods. Purdue University afffiliated – NutraMaize LLC  proudly partnered with HarvestPlus, the global leader of the biofortification movement.

In Zambia, like in many other African countries, agriculture plays a dominant role for people’s livelihoods. With the shift away from mining, agriculture has been identified as one of the key drivers of the economy, representing about 10 percent of GDP and employing 65 percent of the country’s 17.5 million people.

Zambian farmers attending a seminar on growing biofortified Vitamin A crops in Zambia.

Vitamin A deficiency affects 54 percent of Zambian children under the age of five, putting them at higher risk for disease and even death. Biofortified Vitamin A orange maize provides up to 50 percent of daily vitamin A needs. It also provides strong agronomic benefits for farmers: the orange maize is high yielding, disease and virus-resistant, and drought tolerant.

In partnership with HarvestPlus, the local rep started conducting training and demonstrations for farmers on growing the biofortified vitamin A maize. “Demonstration plots were set up to showcase how well this new maize could grow and farmers were helped to attend farmer field days to observe the crop on the demonstration plots,” she said.

“Cookery demonstrations on different consumption methods of orange maize were conducted with various dishes using orange maize prepared for farmers to taste. This excited many farmers and the demand for seed went up. “As for the farmers in Chifwema and Malundu, orange maize became an important crop for them.”  The local rep explained that an increase in adoption was helped by the fact that it began with the household of the village heads. “This has influenced many stakeholders to come on board to help the farmers in marketing the crop and making the seed available,” she noted. 

(Excerpt of Article – Courtesy NutraMaize LLC  and Harvest Plus)

Link to Full Harvest Plus Article

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