Zola Brazilian Superfruits

At Zola, we believe people are healthiest when they live sustainably and give back to the world. That’s why we began Project Zola. Project Zola was created to improve the quality of life and empower the people in the local communities where Zola’s Brazilian Superfruits are harvested. Project Zola focuses on Building Community Infrastructure, Improving Quality of Life and Protecting the Environment with specific and tangible goals in a 100% transparent environment.

Supporting

1. Farmers (make more money, have more Açaí to eat)
2. Zola (access to the best quality and consistent supply)
3. World (replanting the Amazon, more trees absorbing the carbon dioxide)

History

There is a community of 60,000 people located on the riverbanks of a group of islands in the Amazon – 3 hours from Belem via ferry and car, it is called Igarape-Miri. The history of Igarape-Miri is rich. A few decades ago, Igarape-Miri had 60 factories (called engenhos) where they processed sugar cane for Cachaça, a Brazilian alcohol. As the community started to drink it’s own product the production suffered and quality went down. As sales began to drop they diluted the Cachaça by mixing in more water to improve profits. At the same time the people of Southern Brazil started to make Cachaça and market share in Igarape-Miri plummeted. The community fell into deep poverty.

Then they found the new hope – Açaí. Igarape-Miri has one of the highest concentration of Açaí trees growing along the river banks and the fruit quality there is extremely high. It’s proximity to Belem (a port city located at the mouth of the Amazon and the Atlantic Ocean) made it simple to take the Açaí to Vero Peso (See The Weight) Market to sell to the large population in Belem.

Together we can make a difference.

• When a customer buys a project Zola bracelet, $1 is donated by Zola to the local community for financial and educational support.
• We have created a recipricol agreement for the recycling of our Açai seeds. Because of the oils in the Açai seed, they are a great source of fuel for a hot burning fire. Açai seeds from the production of Zola Açaí at Bony production facility are donated to a local brick manufacturing company. These seeds are used as fuel for the furnace to dry the bricks. Instead of purchasing the Açaí seeds with money, the brick company trades with bricks. These bricks are donated to the community for building of schools, churches, and other infrastructure needed.
• Zola donates USD$5 per drum for each drum purchased from Bony Açaí to Project Zola to be used to purchase/grow Açaí Trees which will be donated to the farmers within the community.

“Give a man some Açaí and feed him for a day. Teach a man to grow Açaí and feed him for a lifetime.”
Chris Cuvelier, President Zola Açaí

CLICK HERE to purchase a Project Zola bracelet.