In a context where consumers are increasingly demanding transparency and sustainability, restaurants are turning strongly toward local ingredients.
But what happens when a product like açaí cannot be grown locally due to specific climatic conditions? Does it necessarily have to be excluded from menus?
Yet other exotic products such as cocoa, coffee, mango, and passion fruit easily find their place on French plates.
Why do we still hear customers refusing these products during our prospecting efforts? It is time to consider their carbon footprint, not just their geographical origin.
Growing demand for local products
Today, chefs must respond to growing demand for local ingredients.
Açaí, a superfruit from 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 certifications, this is not always enough to convince restaurateurs to include it on their menus.
Instead, it is often rejected 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?
Açaí, still little known in Europe, has not yet achieved the recognition of cocoa or coffee, which have become staples of our diet.
It is time to recognize its strengths, not only for its nutritional benefits but also for its ecological footprint.
Açaí's carbon footprint: a sustainable perspective
Environmental impact mainly comes from land use
Contrary to what one might think, transport accounts for only 10% of the CO2 emissions from the food we consume.
More than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions come from land use (pastures or fields replacing forests) and farm operations (fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural machinery, farm waste, etc.).
Agroforestry: our committed model
In the case of Nossa açaí, cultivation takes place in the forest (with a very low impact on land use), by hand, and without any inputs (fertilizers or pesticides). Indeed, our superfruit is traditionally grown in agroforestry systems.
Açaí palms coexist with other plant and animal species, which promotes biodiversity.
At Nossa, we made the strategic decision to work only with producers who comply with strict agroforestry specifications. This means that we are committed to working exclusively with those who practice sustainable cultivation.
This approach preserves soil and biodiversity while avoiding the use of chemical inputs. Nossa açaí is harvested by hand, respects the environment, and makes it possible to select the ripest, highest-quality fruit.
Low-carbon maritime transport
All our açaí-based products are transported exclusively by sea. This transport method offers significant environmental benefits. In fact, it emits on average less than one-tenth the CO2 per tonne-kilometer compared with air transport.
According to a study by the European Environment Agency (EEA), maritime transport generates only around 0.015 kg of CO2 per tonne-kilometer, whereas air transport can reach up to 2.0 kg of CO2 per tonne-kilometer. This approach helps minimize our carbon footprint while ensuring the quality of our products.
A positive impact on the environment
Harvesting açaí helps limit CO2 emissions, but 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 preserve the carbon stored in trees.
Conversely, destructive agricultural practices such as converting forests into pastures or monocultures are responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions.
It is crucial to challenge the idea that only a local product can be sustainable. The real issue lies in how food is grown, processed, and transported.
Nossa açaí checks all the boxes in terms of sustainability: grown while preserving the forest, without degrading the soil, without chemical inputs, and with a minimal carbon footprint thanks to maritime transport.
A healthy, delicious, and responsible choice
Now that sustainability and environmental impact are at the heart of public concerns, it is crucial to look beyond simple local sourcing.
Açaí, a superfruit with exceptional nutritional qualities, is part of a truly eco-conscious approach to consumption, with a minimal environmental footprint.
Its creamy texture, irresistible taste, and health benefits make it a top choice for discerning consumers who are always on the lookout for the latest wellness trends.
By adding açaí to your menu, you are not only offering a trendy, healthy product, but also strengthening your establishment's image as a committed participant in sustainable food practices.
Make açaí an essential ingredient on your menu to appeal to a modern clientele concerned about their health and the future of the planet.