El Cruce de las Rocas (formerly BioMio)

The Problem

In the valley of Río Blanco, Colombia, farmers live in poverty. Lack of market access and poor infrastructure denies them a secure income. Younger generations migrate to the city, and farmers are unable to plan for the future.

The Solution

By transforming local fruits, tubers and herbs into natural wines and spirits, El Cruce de las Rocas creates high added value products from local biodiversity. This creates a unique local offer for fine dining establishments and bars that creates pride of place, a niche market and avoids the chronic obstacles in developing nations that prevent small landholders from entering the market. We avoid food loss by transforming harvest that were no longer being sold in the market. We strengthen fruit forests and ecosystems by guaranteeing an income for their harvests. And through innovation we generate a sense of pride and high income opportunities for vulnerable communities by working hand in hand in the art of local fermentation and artisanal distillation.

Stats

El Cruce de las Rocas works with 610 producers and their family members, transforming local ingredients into commercial products.