The Chia Co Story

The Chia Company is an Australian company specialising in the sustainable farming and development of Chia Seed and Chia Products.

The Chia Co was established to contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of the global community. Fourth generation farmer, Company Founder and Managing Director John Foss discovered the benefits of Chia while researching natural solutions to modern diet related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. The modern diet lacks Omega 3, dietary fibre and protein and because Chia contains the richest combined source of these nutrients it makes an extremely positive contribution to a healthy global community.

The Chia Co is the world's largest producer of natural, raw Chia seeds. The Chia Co farms are located in the pristine Kimberley region of Western Australia, exactly 15 degrees south of the equator. Growing Chia at this latitude provides the ideal conditions, maximizing the Omega 3 oil profile in every seed.

 

The Chia Co produces Chia in harmony with nature, with environmental guidelines followed rigorously and farming practices applied with long-term sustainability in mind. Chia is grown on gravity fed channel irrigation, administered by hand with fresh water from the beautiful Lake Argyle. As custodians of the land in the Kimberley, The Chia Co is fully committed to the care, protection and improvement of the region.

The Chia Co products are all made from 100% natural Australian Grown Chia seed. Chia products are mild tasting and easy to include in the every day diet as they can be added to any meal. The product range includes Chia Seed Black, Chia Seed White, Chia Oil, Chia Bran, Chia Ground Seed and Chia Shots.

The Chia Co premium quality Australian Grown Chia and Chia products are:

• Gluten Free
• Halal certified
• Kosher certified
• Excellent source of Omega 3 (ALA)
• High Source of Protein
• Rich in Antioxidants
• Excellent source of dietary fiber
• Endorsed by the Coeliac Society Inc (Australia)
• Endorsed by the National Heart Foundation (Australia)
• Grown naturally / GMO Free

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John Foss

The Chia Company Founder and Managing Director

John Foss is a fourth generation West Australian grain farmer. John's interests include global trends impacting food production; water, environmental issues, energy and consumer health and wellbeing.

John was awarded the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship in 2001 and while looking at natural solutions to modern diet related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, John discovered the nutritional benefits of Chia seed. John established The Chia Company in 2003 with the vision to develop the world's best practice supply chain to grow Chia and make a positive contribution to the health and wellness of the global community.

John researched the ideal growing locations for Chia and established the agronomic and quality management system in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. He has led The Chia Co to now being the world's largest producer of Chia. John's method of achieving The Chia Co vision is to keep the producer and consumer as close as possible. The Chia Co manages all aspects of quality; from agronomy to packing and distribution.

John is a passionate about sustainable farming and the environment. John is a Nuffield Scholar, an Australian Rural Leadership graduate and holds a Bachelor of Business in Agriculture (Curtin University, Muresk Institute of Agriculture), a Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, and a Diploma in Marketing ( Edith Cowan University). He is a Company Director of Living Farm Pty Ltd, Biami Pty Ltd, Marketing Edge Agricultural Services and is a member of numerous agribusiness associations.

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Robert Boshammer B Ag (Hon)

Director

Robert is a grower in the Ord River area, with 20 years irrigation farming experience. Major cropping interests include sugar, seed production, cucurbits and citrus.

He has been a director of several companies, including:

• RIRDC, the Australian government research and development corporation that oversees research in most of the smaller and/or newer agricultural industries.
• CGL, a business based in Kununurra which has investments in rural and regional operations.
• Odeum Produce, one of the larger fruit and vegetable wholesalers in West Australia. Plantation Management Services.

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Tim Croot

Director

Tim has been working in the agricultural industry for 39 years with 35 of these owning and developing a range of horticultural, agricultural, wholesaling, nursery and pastoral businesses throughout Australia.

Tim's passions include the development of the North of Australia through the empowerment of the community and its people. He has held positions on numerous Development Committees and regionally focused organisations. While in these roles some of the key changes include Ord irrigators refocusing on sustainable and productive management practices (Chairman of the OL&W), and the evolution of a vibrant and productive Kimberley Pastoral Industry (Chairman Kimberley Beef team). Currently among many other positions he is the chairman of a large horticulture producing business on the Ord (Plantation Management Services) and a large wholesaling business based in Perth and is a director of Tropical Forestry Services TFS.

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April Helliwell

Director Sales and Marketing

April joined The Chia Co in 2008 to lead the global marketing and Chia business development team. April has a broad range of commercial and marketing experience in the food and beverage industry. April has a Bachelor of Business and Commerce from Monash University, with Marketing and Economics specialisation. April is passionate about good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.