Have you heard of the Super Food Moringa?
In Green Tech Challenge we love companies who want to make the world a better place. One of our participants sets out to do exactly this. They provide farmers in the Philippines a sustainable livelihood and the world with a super food to get healthier.
Meet Roots Food - founded by Jacqueline Hansen and Daniel Alonso Van Camp!
Foto: Mark Lau.
Moringa - the superfood
Roots Food sells dried, organic Moringa leaves as powder and flakes. The powder and flakes can be added to all kinds of foods and boosts your health through the high amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and antioxidants.
Economic sustainability
In 2013 the super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. It affected 11 million people and destroyed 40 million coconut trees. The collapse of the trees released 100.000 tons of CO2, and demolished the basic source of income for the rural poor. Newly planted coconut trees take almost 8-10 years before yielding coconuts, which is a long time to wait if you don't have other sources of income.
This inspired the founders of ROOTS FOOD to look for an alternative crop and a sustainable solution for the farmers. The Moringa Tree only needs 9 months before the leaves are ready to be harvested. It is therefore suited for re-greening areas and providing a sustainable income for the farmers.
Summa summarum
Roots Food now works with Moringa farmers and sells nature's most nutritious leaf powder to the health oriented consumers in the North. The mission is to plant more Moringa trees in challenging areas.
“To fight poverty, one should make sure to focus on rural districts and ensure sustainable businesses there”
Jacqueline Hansen, Founder
The farmers get paid a fair price for their moringa and the trees are organic. We at GTC definitely love this startup and looks forward to follow their success!
Wanna try it?
Visit Roots Foods’ webpage to place an order or see which stores sell Roots Food moringa.
Foto: Mark Lau.
