Mama Pacha, an American company specializing in organic ginger and other products, is looking to spread the word about how organic ginger is cultivated in the territory where it grows in Peru. Mama Pacha's main crop is organic ginger, but the company is also a supplier of so-called 'superfoods' that grow in the Amazon region. But the company is more than that, as Mama Pacha's founder and CEO Lorena Muro explained.
"The name 'Mama Pacha' is literally translated to 'Mother Earth', which is honoring the creative energy of our planet," she said. "We are a purpose-driven company, with a focus on positive outcomes for the environment as well as the communities in which we grow our produce. We aim to provide healthy food and also to empower women."
Unique characteristics of Peruvian ginger
While there are many sources of organic ginger around the world, companies like Mama Pacha say the ginger that is grown in the Amazonian highlands has a unique character, given the conditions and soils it is grown in.
"The organic ginger in Peru only grows in this area of the country," Muro said. "It gives the ginger unique qualities and special properties. For example, Peruvian organic ginger has a higher concentration of essential oils. These characteristics differentiate it from other ginger in the market."
However, she added that it does also come with a unique set of challenges. It's not easy to grow, given the difficult terrain as well as limited access. There is also the factor of how the local people need to make a living. "It's not easy to practice, and the people need to find ways to make a living through agriculture." This has given rise to another set of issues, which companies like Mama Pacha are looking to address.
Cheap organic ginger is a problem
Needless to say, growing organic ginger in the Peruvian highlands is not a low-cost prospect, nor should it be, according to Muro. She noted that a flood of cheaper priced organic ginger has entered the market in recent years, all purporting to be grown in the same region where Mama Pacha grows and ships its produce. However, Muro believes this cheaper product is actually rather costly - perhaps not to the people trading the goods, but to the communities and the local environment.
"In the last few years, we have seen an increase in the amount of organic ginger from Peru," Muro explained. "However, it's very important for suppliers to know where it's coming from. With the challenges of growing organic ginger in this region, companies need to educate and support farmers to ensure sustainable growing practices."
Muro observed that unfortunately, exploitation of women and children has been part of the strategy to produce cheaper priced organic ginger. "Along with informal business practices (such as underpaying tax), child labor and the use of pregnant women for farm labor is happening right now," she said. "We are very concerned about the situation and we need to have our voice heard so that customers know what these low prices represent. Only a few growers have all their practices recorded on their organic certification - and Mama Pacha is one of them."
Spreading the word
So how is the word being spread as to what sustainable organic ginger production in Peru looks like? Muro said Mama Pacha firstly opened their own office in the United States to make it more directly available to customers. In this way, she said, the customers can more closely associate themselves with the growers, leading to a greater understanding of what is involved.
"We are working on getting the message out to customers about the origin of our organic ginger," Muro mentioned. "We have our own processing facilities, we have a school for the children of our workers in Peru, and we also employ 80 women. We started in the US market just over a year ago and became members of United Fresh Produce Association through which we made many contacts. We are also trying to develop packaging that fits with our retailers, which demonstrates how the ginger was processed."
More for the future
Opening up to the US market and increasing awareness is just the start for Mama Pacha. This year, the company is looking to establish more direct distribution with retailers that are currently not carrying their organic ginger as well as introduce more products. Muro also recently featured in an interview with The Produce Moms, emphasizing how important it is to continue the work of empowering women in the industry.
"Bringing more participation of women in the produce industry is extremely important, not just for women, but also for the industry," Muro concluded. "We can also support other women to increase their commitment to the industry. Not only will this benefit the millions of women that work in the fresh produce industry worldwide, but will also help in providing a healing to the planet."
For more information:
Lorena Muro
Mama Pacha, Inc.
Ph: +1 (786) 302-6915
sales@mamapachaproduce.com
www.mamapachaproduce.com