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Tasty
and versatile, hearts of palm are certain to continue growing in popularity,
and worldwide demand for them has already spawned numerous agricultural
and processing facilities throughout Central and South America.
But many stories are
told of the damaging impact that certain agricultural projects may have
on the South American rainforests. Slash and burn techniques routinely
destroy millions of acres of rainforest in shortsighted attempts to build
an agricultural or manufacturing base for the region.
Perhaps more than any
time in recorded history, mankind has come to recognize the importance
of protecting the biological systems naturally present on our planet.
In response to the alarming depletion of the earth’s rainforests, conscientious
entrepreneurs work hand-in-hand with ecologists to create viable businesses
that protect and enhance the rainforest ecology. One such project can
be found in Guyana, South America, but only if one travels down the Barima
River about 200 kilometers from Georgetown, deep into the bush.
It is here that a group of French entrepreneurs have established a system
for harvesting and processing the Euterpe Oleracea, or manicole
palm tree, that grows profusely, like a weed, along the reef system that
permeates the vast South American rain forest.
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Over 117,000 acres of
pristine native forest have so far been set aside from all development specifically
to foster this hearts of palm project. Local and indigenous people become
independent operators, who paddle and trek into this wilderness, seeking
to harvest the stems of the manicole palm. One reef system may contain millions
of manicole of various sizes and maturity. The manicole is a cestipose,
which means it is a multi-stemmed plant, boasting 10 to 20 stems per root.
Harvesters will identify the ideal stems on the plant, based upon size and
maturity. Following ancestral guidelines, they will cut only the 3 to 5
stems of ideal maturity (not too young, not too old), leaving the overall
plant unharmed. The cutting is done manually, avoiding machinery and vehicles,
which could otherwise damage this unique environment. Furthermore, harvesters
routinely trim the rainforest canopy as they work, allowing more nourishing
sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor. This, in turn, promotes growth
of a multitude of botanical plants, and other indigenous flora, contributing
to a healthful balance of biodiversity in the forest. This method assures
that the manicole palm, and the rainforest itself, will remain a fully renewable
resource for generations to come.
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Workers
bring their palm harvest to the Barima River processing facility. There,
the palm stalks are debarked, revealing a tender white center that is
actually the undeveloped leaves of the palm that have yet to differentiate
and emerge from their casing within the stalk. This is the "heart
of palm." At the processing facility the hearts of palm are blanched,
flash pasteurized, and packed in first quality enamel-lined cans or
glass jars. The facility is organized to exceed organic standards of
IFOAM and carries organic certifications
from ECOCERT and QAI.
It
is noteworthy that the Native Forest®
palm heart project supports more than the health of the consumer and
the health of the rainforest. It also supports the economic and social
health of the Barima River region. As one might imagine, employment
opportunities in the bush are scarce. Before this project was
installed, adult villagers would have to travel by boat 200 kilometers
upriver to Georgetown to find employment, usually as domestic workers
in homes of the urban wealthy. The organic hearts of palm project brings
social and economic vibrancy back to the Barima River villages. Independent
operators and employees can work close to their families and their ancestral
homes. Employees may choose to be paid either in ordinary currency or
in a special barter currency, which is extremely popular. The company
runs a weekly supply boat from Georgetown laden with all sorts of staples
and consumer goods that may only be enjoyed by participants of the barter
program. The Native Forest® Organic Hearts of Palm project has truly
brought a higher standard of living to the region, while maintaining
respect for its culture and its vast natural resources.
OTHER PRODUCT GROUPS
IN THE NATIVE FOREST® FAMILY
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