Another place to find Latin Organics Coffee this new season- will be in the well known Vancouver magazine Edible Vancouver in their Fall Edition as well as on line. You can get more info on their blog. Phil Solomon is publisher of Edible Vancouver magazine and his reward is to taste-test all the local food and beverages- and yes that does include Latin Organics coffee ! For sure this is a Foodie magazine. Latin Organics flagship store will be receiving a magazine rack- so that you can come in and grab a copy to take home and while you delight on Latin Organics Colombian coffee you can have a sneak peak.

Look out for the roads- as you will be seeing Latin Organics car zooming in and out as we get busier brewing our coffee to reach hundreds of folks. Latin Organics cars once spotted will bring a smile to your face- they are bright and happy looking ! What would you expect- we have the sun in our hearts.

The Rhythm of Life highlights included a 10 km run, 5 km run and walk, and 1 km Family Stroll. There was a BBQ lunch, Latin Organics Coffee freshly brewed- keeping spirits happy, outdoor stage with live entertainment and many other activities.

With three young children, a husband, community work, and a thriving local Vancouver based business, this is one CEO driven to make a real change in the coffee industry and the world for that matter. Today's interview is with Martha Bowen, social entrepreneur and founder of Latin Organics.

Q: Good morning Martha. First things first, thank you for the cappuccino. It's very smooth. Please tell us about Latin Organics and the story of how you started the company?

A: Well, just over five years ago, I decided that it was time for me to make a difference and after much thought, I came up with the idea of a company that would truly contribute to the world in an ethical manner. I wanted a company that would generate local employment, but at the same time, improve the lives of my fellow Colombians. The result is Latin Organics.

Q: Your last name is Bowen. How did a Colombian end up with a European sounding name?

A: My grandfather on my father's side immigrated to South America and he was Irish.

Q:  Why start a coffee company and not, say, a clothing firm?

A: We're more than a coffee company, we also market hand crafted accessories that are 100% biodegradable made by indigenous women from Colombia. We also plan on bringing exotic Colombian cocoa/chocolate to North America. But, to answer your question, it made sense to start Latin Organics with coffee because it's a major export of Colombia and coffee is a major source of employment.

Q: As an entrepreneur, what did you find most challenging about starting a company?

A: The most challenging was all the up front work at the very beginning. When I decided that I wanted to start Latin Organics, I was still working full time and I had two young children. I had to do my research and business plan on my day off - Mondays back in 2002. Also, as I was getting ready to launch the company, I became pregnant with my third child, Sara, who is now as old as Latin Organics. It was definitely an exciting, but very challenging time in my life.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur?

A: Making a difference in the world and seeing consumers excited as they hold a bag of Latin Organics coffee in their hands - in this moment, I know that we are doing the right thing and it feels so good. I find inspiration in the hard work of our farmers, as well as I am fully aware of all the hardships in Colombia. I like to think that we're helping to take "greed out of the equation" and that will help in alleviating poverty.

Q: What do you mean by taking "greed out of the equation"?

A: What I mean is that our farmers need to be dealt with directly and paid a fair price so they can continue to grow great organic coffee. Direct trade is one step above any other type of trade out there because there are no middlemen involved or any fees that farmers need to pay out of their pockets. Farmers do not need charity they need social equality.

Q: What makes Latin Organics different?

A: Well, we are from Colombia - just like our coffee beans and we have a true passion for bringing social equality to Colombia so that someday we can feel that it is safe to live there again. This is the passion and energy that supports us to deal directly with the farmers through DIRECT TRADE and pay the price that they need for their hard work. I believe that this empowers our farmers. In this way, their earnings, which is what Latin Organics contributes to, stay in the local economy and will help to achieve social equality in Colombia. Latin Organics premium certified organic Colombian Arabica coffee beans are grown in the shade, which is bird friendly and in balance with nature. We respect Mother Earth and understand best practices for growing true organic coffee. We believe this will ultimately help keep the fertility of soil and its ability to produce food for future generations.

Q: What advice would you give a would be entrepreneur?

A: Follow your passion. Be persistent and strong. Don't take shortcuts. And enjoy the climb.

Q: Please finish this sentence, "What is the one thing you cannot live without?".

A: My Family.

Read full interview here.

On Wednesday, I was invited to a Feast of Fields preview on-site at Krause Berry Farms in Langley, BC. The event itself will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2011. It's FarmFolk CityFolk's 17th annual event that will help raise funds for the organization.

Feast of Fields is a four hour (1 pm to 5 pm) gourmet wandering harvest festival and FarmFolk CityFolk's annual fundraising event. With a wine glass and linen napkin in hand, you can taste the very best of BC from chefs, vintners, brewers, farmers, fishers, ranchers and food artisans from across the province - some think of it as a 40 course meal paired with wine and beer! Feast of Fields highlights the connections between producer and chef, field and table, and farm folks and city folks. Feast of Fields is a gastronomic journey towards a sustainable, local food system.

FarmFolk/CityFolk has been vocal since 1993 in spreading the word about a BC-wide sustainable food system. This growing movement of community farms and food systems is key for maintaining a healthy supply of products for British Columbians. FarmFolk/CityFolk creates seed security, develops community farms, and provides resources for those looking to eat BC-sourced food.

The organization is also concerned with loss of farmland and aging farmers, not to mention the growth of industrialized food systems and ultimately, safety issues in our modern day food supply. By attending this event, we can all help FarmFolk/CityFolk to keep doing the vital work they've been doing for nearly two decades.

Our preview started right here in town with a stop at the Latin Organics café in East Vancouver. CEO/founder Martha Bowen had a dream of living a traditional life that her grandmother enjoyed in her hometown of Valledupar, Columbia. "I wanted to be like a matron who, through my social help to people and to society, would set a goal for other women and other people," according to Martha.

In 2005, she realized her goal when she opened Latin Organics, a fair trade, organic coffee company whose beans are purchased directly from the Arhuaco Indians, located near her Columbian hometown, some of whom even once traded with her grandfather. Martha Bowen has also been recently nominated for a 2011 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award.

Read full article here

Latin Organics CEO & Founder, Martha  Bowen has been nominated to receive the 2011 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award.

The purpose of the award is to provide recognition to Canada's Women Entrepreneurs whose successful business   and achievements contribute so much to the Canadian and global economies -as well as the communities. 98 awards have been presented   for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement in different categories since 1992. This event is presented by the Royal Bank of Canada and it is sponsored by Bell, Deloitte, National Post, Hello Canada, Argyle, Profit Magazine, TPH and Cassels Brock.

"We are very excited and humbled by the nomination. Immigrating to Canada and starting Latin Organics Inc. has been one of the most life changing experiences that I have had. Being a Canadian is an opportunity to excel and give back. Being an Entrepreneur is the perfect platform to achieve this. Growing a company in Canada is a lot of hard work, persistence, determination and vision- more so in these uncertain times. For me it is all about creating social equality for our farmers/crafters, while caring for our planet and providing Canadians with the best possible product."  stated Martha. Should Latin Organics win- there will be for sure a lot of happy people in Vancouver.

To see Latin Organics Nomination to the 2011 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award click here.

The level of insecurity and corruption seen in the zone where Latin Organics coffee is grown is a clear reflection of the critical situation that Colombia is living.

This area is not only home to coffee farms but to cattle operations that produce revenue for its owners. A shocking contrast when you drive along the outskirts of Valledupar and see people living in slums built on eroded dirt.

The fact that here in Colombia you are able to buy any brand of vehicle manufactured on planet Earth or purchase any of the latest gadgets- fashion, wines, etc- does not mean that the country has moved forward when there are still large levels of corruption that do not allow funds for education, social housing, medical care- to arrive to the most vulnerable -creating social inequality.

There are more than 74.000 homeless people due to the internal conflict and violence suffered at present in Colombia- as well as to the natural disasters- in this zone alone.  This immigration of homeless people to this area- has generated a series of criminal activities- from petty cash theft to street murders.  The average of deaths is at the 2.5 mark per day.

Direct Trade through Latin Organics helps to generate revenue and funds that stay in this region. It can be used for social projects improving the day to day life of these farmers.

It is worrisome to see this situation that is almost out of control. None the less Latin Organics Canada is opening a branch in Colombia called Latin Organics Colombia. "We have no doubt that our dedication and efforts through our new branch- will continue to foster Direct Trade and social equality." stated Martha Bowen in Valledupar.

Latin Organics brand goes beyond its amazing organic Colombian premium coffee beans roasted with in Canadian borders- it reaches out to Colombia supporting a region and country in need. That is an amazing and unique cup of coffee to support !

BDC, TD Canada Trust, KPMG  have nominated Latin Organics for the second time- to receive the 19th Annual BC New- Canadians Entrepreneur Awards. Martha Bowen is excited about the news and is preparing to meet with panel of judges made up of business professionals, entrepreneurs, members of the Ethno Business Council of B.C., representatives from Great-West Life, Business Development Bank of Canada, TD Canda Trust and KPMG. The 2010 awards dinner will be held in May 2011 at the Vancouver Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Have a peak:http://lloydchoi.com/?p=134