Ẹkẹ́ Foods began with a mother’s love and a desire to pass on identity to her daughters. Ada Umenwaliri, a Nigerian immigrant raising her three girls in Chapel Hill, wanted them to stay connected to their roots—but she also knew the value of quick, healthy, and flavorful meals during busy days.
That is how Ẹkẹ́ Foods was born: a blend of heritage and real life.
Today, Ẹkẹ́ Foods offers an all-natural, antioxidant-rich hibiscus drink (a Nigerian classic called Zobo), and a light and hearty gluten-free fonio waffle and pancake mix (made with an ancient West African grain). While rooted in West African traditions, these products are made for every kind of table. Whether you are planning a Saturday brunch, packing school lunches, or hosting friends for dinner, these are foods that bring people together—across cultures and kitchens.
As a Black, woman-owned small business, Ada builds every recipe with care and intention. She sources locally whenever possible, gives back to the community that embraced her, and creates with one goal in mind: to make it easier for more people to enjoy meals that are good for the body and rich with meaning.
“Ẹkẹ́” is an Igbo word—one of the four traditional market days in southeastern Nigeria, and a symbol of the morning of creation. For Ada, it is a reminder that food, like community, begins with care.
Check out their website to learn more! Weaver Street Market carries their Fonio Pancake Mix and Zobo!
Ẹkẹ́ Foods | Authentic West African Food Products – ekefoods