The tree of Brazilian nut (Bertholletia excelsa) is located in the forests of Brazil, as well as in Peru and Bolivia. The Amazon nut exists only in the forest, cannot be planted elsewhere, and provides work for local communities that benefit and profit above the simple cutting of trees. Thanks to Brazil nut, its production and protection, farmers are among the most important "guardians" of the Amazon rainforest. The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity and WWF have both developed projects on Brazilian nut in different areas of the Amazon, and the support to these projects enable them to support the development of local economies on a lasting and sustainable way.
At the end of the contest, the most beautiful pictures will be exposed and put up for auction: the proceeds will be allocated to social causes related to the contest no-profit partner: Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity and WWF.
The indigenous tribes of the Pando Plateau, a Bolivian region bordering Brazil, depend on harvesting Brazil nuts for their livelihood. The Slow Food Foundation has now built a workshop where local women can produce sweets based on Pando Brazil Nuts. The first phase of the project included the education of a group of producers, including two women from Pando who have come to Italy to learn from an Italian pastry chef. In Pando, assistance will be provided locally to ensure the post-harvesting stages (drying, packing and transport) do not compromise the quality of the product.
In this area producers are helped through training and provision of equipment to better organize their productions certified and find out new markets. The overall objective of the project is to support the increase in the income of local communities that are living through the collection of this valuable product.
Along with the improvement of business practices, the project wants to develop the ability to self-management and improve health services, transport and training in the community of Vai-se-Ver where schooling only goes to 4th grade, organisation of a more stable medical service and the construction of paved roads that allow transport during the rainy season.
Brazilian nut (Bertholletia excelsa)
Brazilian nut (Bertholletia excelsa)
Federico Molinari, the confectioner, handles pando brazilian walnuts with Shirley and Nassira, Presidi manufacturers.
