Julie Hotchkiss of Dru Natural Foods was inspired after a visit to East Africa last year.

She said ‘It was a real eye opener seeing how most people lived. Having a background in nutrition and seeing the benefits that ‘superfoods’ such as our green barley grass have made to people’s health in Europe encouraged me to look carefully at what was available there. Everywhere I asked, the same answer came back ‘have you heard about moringa?’ As soon as I returned back to work at Dru we began the creative process of seeing what we could make from moringa and eventually came up with the idea of the Miracle Bar.'

‘The moringa we add to our Miracle Bar is purchased from co-operatives in Muteesa, near Kampala, Uganda at a fairly traded price. We give back 10% of the net profit from all Miracle Bar sales to support projects in villages that grow and use moringa in East Africa. In that way we can encourage the growing of the Miracle Tree and increase awareness of its uses and benefits. In Muteesa School, where 270 local children receive free schooling and food, moringa leaf is included daily in the school lunches.’ said Julie.

‘Here at Dru we believe in giving back and we have created the Miracle Bar so that every time one is bought it directly benefits families in Africa. That's why we call it ‘The Snack that Gives Back!’’ said Julie. ‘Not to mention giving great nutrition and the inimitable ‘feelgood’ factor to anyone who eats one – I believe it is an icon for the future of nutrition and health for all!’