How Junea Rocha’s Love for Brazilian Cheese Bread Inspired Her Foodie Brand, Brazi Bites
Today, Junea Rocha's Brazi Bites is one of the top female-founded frozen food brands in the country—and it all started with a longing for home.
After she first moved to the United States, one of the many things she missed was påo de queijo, a light, fluffy cheese bread recipe perfected by her family back home. Inspired by the classic snack, she created Brazi Bites, offering frozen gluten-free cheese bread and more using only the best ingredients, so all you have to do is heat them up and enjoy from the comfort of your own home. As longtime fans of the brand, we were eager to learn more, and Junea was kind enough to share her story with us in the interview below.
Name: Junea Rocha
Instagram handle: @Brazi_Bites
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
1. This might surprise people, but Junea's never been a big cook.
"My passion for food and the food industry began with my love for Brazilian cheese bread, which I recognized as both a delicious representation of Brazil's traditions and a business opportunity. Over the years, my experience in the industry has deepened my appreciation for the hard work involved in sourcing ingredients, creating products, and sharing them with consumers. Thus, cheese bread became my gateway into this industry."
-Junea Rocha
(via Brazi Bites)
2. The name Brazi Bites is inspired by Brazil.
"Brazi Bites represents a connection to my Brazilian heritage and the delicious flavors of Brazil."
-Junea Rocha
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3. Brazi Bites' mission statement is "to create joyful moments through Latin-inspired foods that are naturally gluten-free and instantly loved."
"What sets us apart from other frozen food brands is our commitment to great-tasting foods made with high-quality ingredients. We focus on delivering products that not only taste great but also resonate with consumers' desire for healthier options."
-Junea Rocha
4. While she loves everything the brand has to offer, their original Cheddar & Parmesan Brazilian Cheese Bread is her all-time favorite.
"Our new waffles are also phenomenal, and my kids are obsessed with the blueberry variety—it's fun for me to see."
-Junea Rocha
(via Brazi Bites)
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5. She says persistence has gotten her to where she is today.
"I make it a habit to continually show up, get creative and find solutions. I also prioritize analyzing data and doing the math, as these practices help me make informed decisions and drive the success of Brazi Bites."
-Junea Rocha
6. Junea says the most rewarding thing about her work is delighting consumers and seeing how much Brazi Bites' products are needed and wanted.
"We receive love letters from consumers regularly, which serves as a great reminder of the positive impact we have on their lives."
-Junea Rocha
(via Brazi Bites)
For more on the powerful stories behind our favorite brands, click HERE to learn about Rima and Eddy Vaidila of Goldie Swimwear.