Episode Details

What happens when a childhood rooted in farming, homemade food, and simple ingredients meets the modern need for clean, portable snacks? In this episode of Gluten-Free Unwrapped, Jenny sits down with Zora Tabin, founder of Wild Zora, to talk about her incredible journey from growing up in communist-era Czechoslovakia to building one of the most trusted clean snack brands in the gluten-free space.

Zora shares how her family’s connection to farming, whole foods, and using every part of the animal shaped the way she thinks about food today. She opens up about moving to the US and eventually launching Wild Zora from her Colorado kitchen after struggling to find truly healthy, protein-packed snacks for her family.

Jenny and Zora also dive into:

• Why clean ingredients matter more than ever
• The truth about “natural flavors”
• How Wild Zora pioneered protein-forward snacks before the trend exploded
• The realities of building a self-manufacturing food business
• Why so many gluten-free consumers rely on portable meals and snacks
• The growing interest in organ meats, freeze-dried foods, and regenerative agriculture

Whether you’re gluten-free, ingredient-conscious, or simply curious about how thoughtful food brands are built, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.

Connect with Wild Zora

Website: wildzora.com

Instagram: @wildzorafoods

Facebook: @Wild Zora Foods

Linkedin: @Wild Zora Foods

Connect with Jenny Finke (host)

Follow Love Me Gluten Free on Instagram (@lovemeglutenfree) and Facebook (@lovemeglutenfreebox).

Follow Jenny's founder content on Instagram at @goodforyouglutenfree and subscribe to her newsletter at welcome.goodforyouglutenfree.com.

Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferfinke/

Order a Love Me Gluten Free subscription box at lovemeglutenfree.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Zora Tabin and Wild Zora

02:01 Zora's Background and Connection to Food

04:29 Journey to the U.S. and Colorado

08:07 Inception of Wild Zora: The Business Idea

10:47 The Clean Eating Movement and Family Needs

12:44 Challenges in Sourcing Ingredients

15:39 Feedback and Growth in Farmers Markets

17:13 Transitioning to Retail and Post-COVID Strategy

20:38 Partnership with Josh and Self-Manufacturing

22:58 Building a Brand with Personal Touch

26:01 Navigating Challenges Post-COVID

29:24 Innovations in Freeze-Drying Technology

32:15 Catering to Diverse Dietary Needs

36:21 Maintaining Creative Freedom in Business

39:06 Connecting with the Community through Quality Products