Farmer stories from Colombia
What are Goldenberries?
Goldenberries are a berry native to Colombia and Peru where they are commonly called "uchuva." They are also known as the Cape Gooseberry or Inca Berry. Goldenberries, a member of the tomato/eggplant family, contain bioflavonoids, which are found in the colored part of fruits and vegetables and help prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. Goldenberries are also a powerful antioxidant and contain high amounts of vitamin A.
Kopali's goldenberries are super tangy, delicious treats. Like "Sour Patch" candies made by Mother Nature!
- No added sugar, no sulfites, completely natural
- Explosively tangy
- Full serving of 100% real fruit
- Packed with nutrients
Who grows Kopali's Organic Goldenberries?
There are 12 small farms in rural Colombia that have joined together in a co-op to produce organic Goldenberries for Kopali. Located in a small town near the Colombian border with Ecuador, the cooperative has been certified organic since 2006.
There are approximately 8 workers per farm, and each farm produces only Goldenberries. The process from planting the seed to harvesting the Goldenberries takes about 7 months. Production reaches its peak at 7 months and stays stable for 2 years.
Who dries Kopali's Organic Goldenberries?
On the outskirts of Bogota is a Fair Trade Certified company Kopali uses to process their Goldenberries. The majority of their staff are refugees (internally displaced people), most of them women. The company actively supports the women in their responsibility as the head of their family. The company also has a direct and very close relationship with the small producers and cooperatives with whom they work. Their salaries are kept well above Colombia's average salary for similar activities.
This small company is led in part by a group of female community leaders whose objective is to promote the economic and social development of small fruit producers and women-led households throughout Colombia. The participating families are fully committed to the process of creating high-quality food products, and they in turn receive support and training from the company.
The company strives to be a model of how Fair Trade business practices can help contribute to Colombia's economic and social development. They are proud to be Organic and Fair Trade certified, and Kopali is proud to be business partners with them!
