Dhalpuri, bussupshut and doubles are staples of Trinidadian food culture, and entrepreneur Natalia Kalloo is taking the familiar flavours to a wider market through her frozen food brand, Calypso Harvest.

Three of the brand’s products have earned Non-GMO Project verification, with funding support from the organisation’s Equitable Transfer Program, which helps smaller food businesses overcome barriers to independent product verification.

The certification reflects Kalloo’s years of hard work after which began when she started selling handcrafted spice blends of the food she grew up with at farmers’ markets in Washington, DC, in 2019 under the Trini Vybez brand.

She later expanded into a food truck and restaurant before developing Calypso Harvest to bring traditional Trinidadian dishes to the frozen food aisle.

In 2025, she founded Victual Solutions, a nonprofit focused on improving food access and creating economic opportunities, particularly in Ward 7 of Washington, DC.

Its plans include a community farmers’ market and other initiatives aimed at making fresh food more affordable.

She said the certifications is more than just a label on a package.

“For us, Non-GMO Project verification is about more than putting a label on a package,” she said in a statement.

“It is about creating greater transparency around the foods we stand behind, strengthening trust with our customers, and showing that small, underrepresented food businesses can pursue rigorous standards while honouring the foods and traditions that are important to our communities.”

She said Calypso Harvest also intends to reinvest its growth in communities facing challenges accessing food.

“Having our Dhalpuri Roti, Bussupshut and Trinidad Doubles Verified is an important milestone in that work,” Kalloo added.

Non-GMO Project founder and chief executive Megan Westgate said Kalloo’s work reflects the importance of supporting businesses that draw on their cultural heritage while creating opportunities for their communities.

“She’s building a business rooted in her heritage while creating opportunities for other entrepreneurs and investing in her community,” Westgate said.

“That’s exactly the kind of leadership we want to champion.”

Businesses owned by black, indigenous and other people of colour who are interested in participating in the initiative have until November 13, 2026 to apply through the Equitable Transfer Program website.

Since its launch, the programme has awarded more than US$46,000 to 21 businesses, helping 41 products achieve verification. Calypso Harvest is its first recipient offering Trinidadian or Caribbean frozen foods.

The programme has also expanded to include funding for the Non-GMO Project’s Non-UPF Verified certification, which assesses ingredients, product formulation and food processing methods.

The Non-GMO Project, Victual Solutions and East Capitol Urban Farm will host a free virtual workshop on October 22, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm Eastern time.

The session is aimed at food vendors, growers and sellers who want to understand the verification process, the documentation required and how to begin an application. Participants will also be able to ask questions.

Registration is available through the Non-GMO Project verification webinar page.