First farmer-owned online marketplace launched in Ecuador

QUITO, Ecuador, May 27, 2021 / PRNewswire / – Today, four farmers’ organizations launched La Cosecha del Día, Ecuador first farmer-owned marketplace for agroecological food products. The online market will help local farmers who are part of Heifer EcuadorThe Future of Food program to increase the supply of fresh, safe and healthy food to families across the country. La Cosecha del Día sells goods produced by 400 small producers, mainly women, of the Solidarity Agroecological Economy Network of the Kayambi Territory (RESAK) in Pichincha; The Pamar Chacrin Association of the canton of Sigsig in the province of Azuay; The Network of Producers of Guayabillas of the parish of Pacto in the north-west of the province of Pichincha; and the Association of agroecological producers (APA) of the province of Azuay.

The online market offers 200 products, including vegetables, fruits, seafood, grains, flour, natural herbs, snacks and baked goods. Customers can see the full history and traceability of the products they buy, giving them a better understanding of where their food comes from, while promoting local farmers who produce high quality, sustainable food.

“The pandemic has exposed the environmental and equity issues in our food system. As an online store built and owned by farmers, La Cosecha del Día guarantees farmers a fair price for their agroecological crops, while providing consumers fresh and safe food, “said Rosa rodriguez, national director of Heifer Ecuador. “The market will help build a sustainable local food system that benefits farmers and consumers beyond the pandemic.”

La Cosecha del Día currently delivers to the cities of Quito and Cuenca, with plans to expand delivery to more cities across the country. Customers can schedule deliveries with food harvested on the day of delivery.

The online store emerged as a response to marketing inquiries during the COVID-19 pandemic when farmers and consumers were hit by market disruptions. It was built by agricultural producer organizations following standards that support sustainable food systems:

  • Quality: Foods sold in the market are produced on farms practicing agroecology, balancing soil cycles and free of chemicals. Consumers receive fresh fruit and vegetables which are harvested on the day the orders are received.
  • Environment: The distribution and consumption of local food reduces emissions from transport.
  • Social justice: Farmers receive a fair price for their produce that is affordable to consumers, helping local farming families to improve their incomes.
  • Data security: The Marketplace is a secure way to buy food online with a credit card.

At the start of the pandemic, the Heifer Ecuador Future of Food program expanded its network, following a government request to Quito, establishment of a food delivery service from local farms to urban areas. The program provided sustainable income for farmers, who continued to sell their produce while open-air markets were closed, and food security for quarantined families. Designed and managed by farmers and their organizations, the program brings harvests from local farms to collection centers, offering fair prices to farmers by providing consumers with the ability to order affordable baskets of fresh and healthy food safely delivered. at their doorstep.

The Future of Food program is established in the provinces of Azuay, Pichincha and Galapagos. In the first two participating cities, 5,500 agroecological baskets have been delivered to date.

Managed by youth from agricultural producer organizations, La Cosecha del Día will strengthen the commercial and technological capacities of the organizations involved in the platform, further supporting small producers to develop their agricultural businesses.

For more information, visit http://www.lacosechadeldia.net/ or contact Kimberly Barbano at [email protected].

https://www.heifer.org/about-us/news/press/press-releases/farmer-own-online-marketplace-ecuador.html

ABOUT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

For 76 years, Heifer International has worked with more than 36 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including United States, Heifer International helps local farmers and food producers strengthen local economies and create secure livelihoods that provide vital income. For more information, visit https://www.heifer.org/.

SOURCE Heifer International

Related links

http://www.www.heifer.org


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