Acai Health Watch

The EcoCert principles of organic farming are based on respect for cultures and local job creation.  Sambazon Acai has just received this certification for its acai crops as Fair Trade in Brazil.  EcoCert was founded in 1991 and certifies organic farmers around the world.  It recognizes the benefits of organic farming as respect for the earth’s resources, long term yields, nutrient-rich foods and energy-saving.

More about Sambazon’s socially responsible policies:

“Sambazon’s certification occurs in conjunction with Fair Trade Month, which promotes and celebrates the socially responsible system of trade that prioritizes the needs of human beings and the environment over the drive for profits. The certification supports all three pillars of Sambazon’s triple bottom line business model (people-planet-profits) by guaranteeing that the agro-forestry farms and the families who supply Sambazon with acai fruit receive a fair market price.”

Sambazon Becomes First to Achieve Fair-Trade Crop Certification for Acai | Reuters.

Natural remedy expert Chris Kilham shared his experiences visiting an area of the Brazilian Amazon forest where acai is grown sustainably.  He agrees that the acai berry is a delicious and healthy food, but is even more impressed that parts of the acai industry are working to preserve the Amazon rainforest.   Sambazon Acai, lead by Ryan Black, has been influential in sustainable acai berry harvesting.

“Our wildharvesting system was developed in conjunction with the Forest Sustainability Council,” Ryan explains. “We’ve taught people how to wildharvestacai, and protect the forest at the same time.” Through ecologically sound agro-forestry management practices, Sambazon has established a top-notch conservation program that protects the Amazon rainforest and minimizes habitat loss.  On top of that, they’ve implemented a fair wage system that provides higher than average wages to over ten thousand familiesin Brazil’s Amapa state. Sambazon has won praise and support from World Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy and Greenpeace. As far as Ryan is concerned, it’s all just a reasonable and fair way to operate a business. “Might as well do it right if you’re going to do it,” he comments.”

Super Acai Benefits « FOX News Health Blog « FOXNews.com.