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At a time when consumers are increasingly demanding transparency and sustainability, restaurants are turning to local ingredients. But what happens when a product, such as acai, cannot be grown locally due to specific climatic conditions? Does it have to be left off the menu?
And yet, other exotic products such as cocoa, coffee, mango and passion fruit easily find their way onto French plates. Why do we still hear this rejection from customers when we're canvassing? It's time to take their carbon footprint into account, and not just their geographical origin.
Growing demand for local products
Today's chefs are faced with a growing demand for local ingredients. Acai, a super fruit from the palm trees that grow in the forests along the Amazon River in Brazil, is sometimes considered an outsider. Although it has exceptional nutritional qualities and benefits from sustainable production, organic and fair trade labels, this is not always enough to convince restaurateurs to include it on their menus.
On the contrary, it is often discarded in favor of more familiar ingredients. Surprisingly, tropical products such as cocoa, coffee and mango find their place without difficulty in the same establishments. Why this difference in approach?
Acai is still little known in Europe, and has not yet acquired the notoriety of cocoa or coffee, which have become essential components of our diet. It's time to recognize its advantages, not only for its nutritional benefits, but also for its ecological footprint.
Acai's carbon footprint: a sustainable perspective
Contrary to popular belief, transportation accounts for only 10% of the CO2 emissions from the food we eat. Over 80% of greenhouse gas emissions come from land use (pastures or fields instead of forests) and farm work (fertilizers and pesticides, farm machinery, farm waste, etc.).
In the case of Acai Nossa, cultivation takes place in the forest (very low impact on land use), by hand (no mechanization) and without any inputs (fertilizers or pesticides). This is because our super fruit is traditionally grown in agroforestry systems. Acai palms coexist with other plant and animal species, promoting biodiversity.
At Nossa, we have made the strategic decision to work only with producers who meet strict agroforestry specifications. This means we are committed to working only with those who practice sustainable agriculture. This preserves the soil and biodiversity, while avoiding the use of chemical inputs. Nossa! acai is harvested by hand, respecting the environment and selecting the ripest, highest-quality fruit.
All our acai products are shipped exclusively by sea. This method of transport offers significant environmental advantages. On average, it emits less than 10 times the CO2 per tonne-kilometre than air transport. According to a study by the European Environment Agency (EEA), sea transport generates only around 0.015 kg of CO2 per tonne-kilometre, whereas air transport can generate up to 2.0 kg of CO2 per tonne-kilometre. This approach helps to minimize our carbon footprint while guaranteeing the quality of our products.
A positive impact on the environment
Picking acai not only helps limit CO2 emissions, it also plays a key role in preserving the Amazon rainforest. By providing a stable source of income for more than 20 million inhabitants, this activity helps combat deforestation and preserves the carbon stored in the trees. Conversely, destructive agricultural practices such as the conversion of forests to pasture or monocultures are responsible for a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions.
It's crucial to challenge the idea that only a local product can be sustainable. The real issue lies in the way food is grown, processed and transported. Nossa acai ticks all the boxes in terms of sustainability: grown in a way that preserves the forest, without degrading the soil, without chemical inputs, and with a minimal carbon footprint thanks to sea transport.
A healthy, gourmet and responsible choice
At a time when sustainability and environmental impact are key concerns, it's crucial to go beyond mere local provenance. Acai, a super fruit with exceptional nutritional qualities, is part of a truly eco-responsible approach to consumption, with a minimal environmental footprint. Its creamy texture, irresistible taste and health benefits make it a choice option for discerning consumers, always on the lookout for the latest wellness trends.
By including acai on your menu, you're not only offering a trendy, healthy product, you're also reinforcing your establishment's image as a player committed to sustainable food.
Make acai the must-have ingredient on your menu to appeal to a modern clientele, concerned about their health and the future of the planet.