Organic Dried
Goldenberry
Nariño is located in the south-west of Colombia, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean. The main economic sector is agriculture. In Nariño you will find crops like potato, cacao, coffee, quinoa, and of course our goldenberry, which is grown at an altitude of 1,900 m to 3,000 m above sea level.
Community
Hernán
Chamorro
Hernán has been part of the Fruandes community for almost ten years. A farmer for all his life, he decided to switch to organic production because he found in Fruandes an alternative to the conventional market which is also healthier and feasible. His son Albeiro is also a member and the leader of the association.
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The association of small-scale organic goldenberry producers was originally formed in 2005 by five women and one man in search of better alternatives for the farmers in the region.
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The acronym in Biofruit NAPOLI bears the letters of the first name of the founders: Nancy, Alba, Piedad, Osvina, Leonardo and Liliana, and the I stands for Ligia. Biofruit was approached by Fruandes in 2007 and the company supported them in reaching organic certification in 2009.
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Today there are 24.5 hectares certified organic. Fourteen association members and 95 families of small-scale farmers are part of the project organic goldenberry.
Growing on large bushes, the goldenberry is protected by a decorative, lantern-type shell. The hand picking is labourous, and harvesting happens year round. The fruit is fragile and needs to be carefully packaged so it doesn't get damaged on the long trip to Ibagué.
Once the goldenberries reach our facility, they undergo a washing and disinfection phase. They are then dehydrated and sent on their way. Up to 100 fresh goldenberries are needed for 100g of dried product.
