Today we are Ama’zoning in on a story that takes place deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. A vibrant place filled with life from canopy top to rainforest floor.
Native Quechua families living in these lush fertile lands are constantly searching for ways to grow crops that can live amongst the tree’mendous Amazonian rainforest. Crops that thrive under the shade of the massive canopy. Crops that like to re’tree’t to this wet and humid environment. As a native Amazonian tree that grows best in the shade of other trees, cacao has proven to be the cream of the crop.
Cooperativa Allima Cacao is a 100% local farmer-owned cooperative that collects, ferments and exports the organic cacao grown in the Amazonian region of Chazuta, Peru.
The cooperative is made up of 200+ farmers who receive micro-loans, education in sustainable agriculture and improved wages for their quality cacao which is then turned into chocolate worldwide. The co-op is bringing a whole new livelihood to the people of Chazuta while tree’ting the Amazonian rainforest with the highest respect…a combination that is a tree’m come true!
As the demand for their premium cacao grows, the cooperative itself needs to grow and for this they are seeking a loan to help make it happen. So we’re Ama’zoning in on this group and bringing you a new piece of Peru to be part of it all too...
Here’s to protecting this world of tree’sures and to feeling good—because after all, it's Friday!
-Jack & Alley, Co-Founders
PS. We are s'tree'ming a few more countries into the Taaluma collection including our first piece of Eastern Europe!
Photos: Chazuta, Peru by Collectiva Allima Cacao