Latest News
May, 2008
Latin Organics interviewed by The Express
May, 2008
Move Over, Juan Valdez by Shared Vision
Read article
April, 2008
Latin Organics is going to have an EPIC weekend at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre in Vancouver.
From Friday, April 18 until Saturday, April 20, 2008, Latin Organics will be exhibiting at the EPIC Sustainable Living Expo, a consumer exposition committed to showcasing sustainability, eco-innovation and style. This EPIC weekend will include Latin Organics ™ 100% Certified Organic and Fair Trade Colombian Coffee (Mamo, Una Tierra, Tomasa, Aluna and Coastal Peak), as well as a unique line of hand woven eco-friendly and biodegradable decorative wares. Both product lines are grown or hand crafted by indigenous people of Northern Colombia.
See, feel and taste what Latin Organics is all about. Learn about Latin Organics corporate focus in wanting to achieve Global Harmony by supporting Direct Trade-giving Fair Trade a Higher meaning while providing a sustainable livelihood to farmers and their families- empowering them to continue with their ancestral traditions and wisdom and creating incentives for organic farming, so that illicit crops may be eradicated and may be poverty diminished. Nothing better for this weekend, than an EPIC journey- with Latin passion and determination to connect efforts to Save the Planet.
April, 2008
Latin Organics is calculating to leap forward with the Rainforest Alliance
Martha Bowen, CEO & Founder of Latin Organics, is currently trying to analyze the possibility of guiding or suggesting to farmers with whom direct business relationships already exist and for future business partners, to have their farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Farmers working presently, in different parts of the world with the Rainforest Alliance, find that the program pays dividends in more efficient farm management, cost savings and increased production and coffee quality. Wild Life, water resources, forests and soils are also protected under the Rainforest Alliance certified seal. This is an important compliment to existing organic certifications. This can bring more awareness amongst the farmers and consumers on the importance of organic agriculture and the positive impact that this has on wildlife, water resources, forests and soil-more so in Latin America and specifically in Colombia. So maybe in the near future Latin Organics™ coffee will have a frog or two leaping from bean to bean- an important indication of a healthy planet.
March, 2008
Latin Organics joins Farm Folk/City Folk with the launch of their new exciting venture.
“This fall will be the inaugural publication of FarmFolk/CityFolk’s Yearly art photography wall calendar. Seed funding was contributed by twelve wonderful sponsors including our fine friends at Latin Organics.” Brian Harris
Farm Folk/City Folk is a Vancouver based BC not-for-profit society that addresses the issue of local, sustainable and ecologically safe food production. In other words, the message is to -where ever possible- eat local food that is grown by sustainable methods. Beauty was bountiful as Brian Harris discovered last Year when photographing for this 2009 calendar. This calendar features images from five British Columbia community co-op farms and 12 Local seasonal food recipes contributed by restaurants and Agricultural/conservation organizations that promote Grow Local, Eat Local Practices.
A sampling of this photography can be viewed at:
Brian Harris Photography
Please visit the FarmFolk/CityFolk site
March, 2008
Latin Organics springs forward… new coffee blends- …launched into the market.
The names of our new blends, Tomasa and Una Tierra were inspired by children and our planet.
TOMASA- We took the first name of three children to create the word TOMASA. The names of Tomas, Manuela and Sara, were combined to create one word. These are the company’s founders’ three children. The word “tomas” also comes from the Spanish verb: tomar, which means to drink. The TOMASA blend is a dark French roast. It presents a combination of passion, determination and hope- which are positive qualities that are moving Latin Organics forward. A rooted reminder of what can be accomplished together for the well being of others and the future of our natural environment. Sparks of sweetness, combined with hints of rich smoky caramel finish is what you will find in your cup.
UNA TIERRA- which translates from Spanish to English: One Earth- is a Light Blend- We want to use this blend as a reminder of the importance of preserving, sustaining and caring for our planet. It is the same message that inspires our farmers to cultivate their coffee beans in a way that brings balance and harmony to Mother Nature. This earthy blend invites us to tread our planet gently. This blend offers sweet & smooth green notes- surrounded with vivid brightness.
January, 2008
The Colombian connection by By Brian Morton, Vancouver Sun
SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE: Entrepreneur brings coffee from her home country to Vancouver
VANCOUVER - Ten years ago, after her husband spent a harrowing three days as a kidnap victim in the jungles of Colombia, Martha Lucia Bowen decided it was time for the big move.
So she and husband Frank Rodriguez contacted the embassies of several countries, before deciding on immigrating to Canada - a country they concluded was a peaceful nation where they could have a fresh start and raise their children in a safe environment.
Today, the 44-year-old mother of three owns and operates Latin Organics, a fair trade, organic coffee company that sells specialty coffee beans in several Vancouver area stores, including Whole Foods, Capers Community Markets, Urban Fare, London Drugs and Bosa Foods.
She buys coffee directly from the Arhuaco Indians - indigenous farmers in her former Colombian hometown of Valledupar - and imports and sells hand-woven placemats and baskets made by Columbia's Kankuamo Indians at Red Horses Gallery in West Vancouver.
"They [kidnappers] took us into the jungle," Bowen said about the day that she, Rodriguez and their young daughter were taken off a bus by guerrillas, who quickly allowed her and their daughter to go free but held Rodriguez for a $400,000 ransom.
"But he was rescued [by a military convoy] along with five other kidnap victims. [The experience] made me decide to leave. We wanted to have a normal life."
Bowen said another factor in their decision to leave Columbia was a random robbery at Rodriguez's restaurant by 12 uniformed men that resulted in one person being killed.
Bowen said that after arriving in Canada in 1998, she took a job with Capers for four years. "That's where I was exposed to the business world of organics. I got more and more interested and thought there must be organic coffee in Columbia. So I got a list [of organic growers] and found one group in my hometown. And that's when I decided what I wanted to do."
Bowen said she wanted to sell only certified organic and certified fair trade coffee.
She also feels that by paying the farmers good wages, she can help prove to other Colombians that organic agriculture is a way out of poverty and an alternative to the illicit drug industry.
"I wanted to work with my hometown and continue the work of my grandfather, who traded with the Arhuaco Indians," said Bowen, who now lives in Horseshoe Bay. "I wanted to keep that connection."
Bowen said she received a loan through the federal Business Development Bank of Canada after presenting them with a business plan. "We started selling in 2005 when I resigned from Capers to concentrate on my company full time."
Since then, she said, business has been steadily growing, with sales of about $48,000 in 2006 and about $75,000 in 2008.
Bowen said they have more than doubled the amount of coffee they sold - 5,000 pounds in 2006 and about 11,500 in 2007 - but that profits didn't rise accordingly because prices of organic beans have fallen. "It's becoming more accessible to consumers."
She said that while demand is growing, it hasn't been easy.
"Cash flow is challenging. And you have to wear so many hats. I gave birth to [my daughter] just as I was putting into the marketplace my first coffee beans.
That was a huge challenge. I was walking through the streets of Vancouver trying to open business accounts, with a big belly."
Bowen said she and Rodriguez do almost everything themselves, except building a website -www.latinorganics.com - and roasting the beans.
She said her husband, an entrepreneur himself, was hugely supportive.
Bowen said Rodriguez, who sells vehicles for Vancouver businessman Jim Pattison, gave some of the beans to Pattison, who liked them so much that the Pattison Group's Urban Fare in Yaletown and Coal Harbour began selling them.
"If you buy a Lexus, you get a bag of our coffee," she added.
Bowen said that by trading directly with the Arhuaco farmers, Latin Organics not only cuts out the middle man - the coffee brokers - but allows her to pay the farmers more for their coffee beans.
However, she noted, there have been problems, such as when the farmers literally missed the boat twice in Colombia and an earthquake in Peru caused other delays. The cargo ship used to transport the beans was also delayed when both U.S. and Canada Customs officials conducted intensive searches of the cargo container, she added.
But Bowen feels the benefits far outweigh the growing pains.
"It's a product with meaning and we're trying to make a difference. And demand is growing. I was open to whatever would happen [and] I'm surprised by the support from consumers. There's a market for direct [to farmer], organic, fair trade coffee. They [consumers] really want to support that and that empowers me to keep growing."
She said moving to Canada has been a huge blessing for her and her family.
"We're very proud Canadian citizens. We believe it [citizenship] is a privilege and we don't take it for granted. We honour it through our hard work."
And the future?
"We're going to open up a new facility [in Vancouver] with a small cafe and roaster in the spring," she said. "It will be called Latin Organics Cafe Tienda and Roastery.
"It will be the first of many."
» Article in Vancouver Sun "The Colombian connection"
December, 2007
Sales of Fair Trade Organic Coffee may Help Alleviate Poverty in Colombia- Drink It by Vancouver Courier
Her husband was assaulted by a dozen men dressed as police officers. They were kidnapped and later released by a guerilla group. After that, it was time for Martha Lucia Bowen, her husband and two small children to leave Colombia.
Although Bowen wanted to leave the perils of Colombia behind, the 40-year-old resident of West Vancouver also wants to see the country's poorest farmers progress, so she founded Latin Organics, an ethical certified organic and certified fair trade coffee company, which started operations in late 2005.
Bowen trades directly with Arhuaco Indians, indigenous farmers who live near Vallevupar, the town in Northern Colombia where she was born. "The social mission and the reason for me having started this company is because I really want to help eradicate illicit crops in Colombia. And I truly believe that if I prove to the Colombian government and to different local organizations that organic agriculture is a way out of poverty, then I'll just get more farmers on board," Bowen says. "That way we will start building and helping them with their livelihood, but we will also be helping recuperate soils and water resources in Colombia that have been poorly managed throughout the last 30, 40, 50 years."
Her beans come by boat to Vancouver where they're roasted and packaged in bags made in Latin America. When they sell out, as they did in the middle of August, Bowen waits for the next harvest instead of going to fair trade coffee brokers. She's committed to the growers she's built a relationship with in Colombia, and pays them more than the highest fair trade price for their beans.
Latin Organics recently received its second shipment of beans after a lengthy delay. The farmers missed the boat twice in Colombia, an earthquake in Peru delayed the ship, U.S. customs officials performed two intensive searches on the cargo container in Los Angeles, and Canada Customs officers performed another intensive search in Vancouver. Bowen says the extra headaches are worth it. "We're helping them believe in themselves," she says. "We're empowering them to really, truly believe that they can do business in this direct way, that they don't have to feel obliged in signing future sale contracts with coffee brokers."
Her 454 gram bags of light, medium, medium dark roast and espresso beans retail for $13.99 to $15.99 at Bosa Foods, 562 Victoria Dr. and 1465 Kootenay St.; selected London Drugs, Capers, Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 East Hastings St.; Urban Fare, 177 Davie St. and Drive Organics, 1045 Commercial Dr. For more information, see latinorganics.com.
» Article in Vancouver Courier "Sales of Fair Trade Organic Coffee may Help Alleviate Poverty in Colombia- Drink It"
November, 2007
The Chosen One
Latin Organics Colombian coffee is currently competing in the market place with many other coffee origins. This is a good thing. As more consumers learn in the Vancouver area, that we are offering a certified organic coffee bean that has direct and meaningful connections with Mother Nature and with our family history, our effort in taking Fair Trade a step higher, through our direct way of conducting business, becomes worthwhile.
Is Latin Organics coffee the chosen one for consumers? We are working on that. Hollywood, California is already on board. The wisdom and traditions of the indigenous farmers with whom we work with in Colombia, are being represented in a film directed by Rob Schneider. This comedy called The Chosen One, narrates the story of three Mamos that arrive from Colombia to the United States, seeking The Chosen One. Carolina Gomez, ex Miss Colombia, plays the role of a translator who tries to facilitate the communication between the Mamos and the Chosen One. The Chosen One is the person elected to bring balance to Mother Nature and Man, so that our planet may be saved. Despite the Chosen One’s disbelief, throughout the movie, extraordinary and hilarious things start to happen as the story unfolds. At present, there are existing concerns for the well being of our planet. The lack of consciousness around the globe is hiking. The timing for this film, to be released in 2008, is in perfect balance with what is happening. The wisdom that these indigenous people and other native groups have- hold the potential to cause a positive wave to our present global situation, if we choose to work together as one. We are all connected, man and nature. It is not hard to believe, that a single cup of coffee could represent so much. It is all about choice.
October, 2007
Latin Organics™ coffee brews better late then never
Late shipment highlights risk of Direct Trade vs. Fair Trade coffee
Thirsty organic coffee drinkers only have to wait a few more days for their fix, now that a shipment of Latin Organics coffee is finally on route to Vancouver from Colombia, says Latin Organics founder and CEO Martha Bowen. The growers missed the vessel twice; then the coffee was delayed even longer when an earthquake shook Peru, leaving Latin Organics with no inventory to replenish coffee orders in Metro Vancouver.
Store shelves from Whole Foods in West Vancouver to Bosa Foods in Vancouver have been bare of Latin Organics coffee since August when the fledgling company sold out of its inventory.
The late shipment highlights the risk of trading directly with farmers at origin, rather then dealing through a more convenient and much practiced way of trading through coffee brokers.
“I could have simply contacted Fair Trade coffee brokers and bought beans through them to fill my orders,” says Bowen. “But that would have gone against what Latin Organics stands for, which is a responsibility to the Colombian coffee growers, their families and to our mission of making a real tangible difference on behalf of our local customers.”
Instead Bowen continued to work directly with the Colombian growers to ensure the beans made it onto the boat, meanwhile assuring retailers and organic coffee lovers in Metro Vancouver that the new harvest was on its way. Then an earthquake in Peru set back the shipment even further.
The beans are expected to arrive October 9th and will be roasted, packaged, delivered and on store shelves by the end of the month.
“The payoff is a unique and delicious coffee that takes Fair Trade to another level,” says Bowen. “Because of our direct, open relationship with indigenous coffee growers, we can ensure that they’re not at risk of losing their livelihood.”
Bowen, a Colombian immigrant, has deep family roots in the community where Latin Organics’ coffee is grown. Her grandfather used to trade with the same indigenous people, the Arhuaco Indians in Northern Colombia.
The quality of the coffee and the passion of Latin Organics to make a difference are evident by the speed with which the company is growing. In a market dominated by big name brands, Latin Organics has carved a niche because of its tasty coffee and policy of direct open trade. They’ve just signed a deal to have their coffee distributed by a mayor retailer in Canada.
Even Mary and Jimmy Pattison are Latin Organics coffee lovers. During the last Christmas holiday season, Bowen sent the Pattisons a package of her coffee. Mary Pattison replied saying it was excellent. Now, Latin Organics coffee is sold at the Pattison Group’s Urban Fare in Yaletown and will be included in Urban Fares’ new store on Bute.
August, 2007
Latin Organics™ Green Coffee beans have all been sold
We would like to thank all our customers for their support in this first year and a half of operation. We have put a lot of passion and persistence in getting our story out into the market place and striving to deliver the best direct cup of coffee possible.
Last week, here in Vancouver, we sold our remaining inventory of green coffee beans that we had first imported, directly from our farmers in Colombia. The green beans were roasted, packaged, delivered and gone.
We take pride in developing direct trade relationships with our farmers- taking Fair Trade to a higher meaning while setting a difference- and will continue to do so, even if we run out of coffee beans. We thank you for your patience and appreciate your support.
We are now waiting for our new 2007 Harvest which has had extraordinary reviews. Good things take a while to arrive, but it is sure worth it and more so if we are following our corporate mandate. So come the end of August, prepare your taste buds for something unique and extraordinary in your bag of Latin Organics Coffee. We will keep you posted.
April, 2007
Latin Organics™ to Celebrate Earth Day and Our New Coffee Harvest
We are very excited to travel to Colombia to celebrate Earth Day-in harmony with all the Indigenous farmers and their families, involved with the cultivation of Latin Organics amazing coffee beans. We will also celebrate this day with the local women crafters that hand make our Eco-friendly Casa line of products.
Earth Day has been celebrated all across the Globe since 1970. This is a time to build awareness, that we are one human family and we must think and act as committed trustees of Earth.
It is also an appropriate time to look at global warming, poverty problems and focus on developing actions that will achieve Earth Trustee goals. This celebration has usually taken place during the March Equinox -- an occasion when night and day are equal in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
For Latin Organics, Earth Day is an important celebration, closely tied to our Corporate Mandate.
We will also be purchasing more coffee beans picked from this new coffee Harvest during our stay in Colombia. The packaging and shipment of the coffee beans will be supervised directly by us, so that we can rest assured that the shipment will arrive to Canada, Delicioso and ready for your enjoyment!
January, 2007
Latin Organics is excited to support Canada's New Organic Regulations- News release provided by the Organic Trade Association
At Latin Organics we believe that Canada's new organic regulations may inspire or serve as a role model for Latin American countries such as Colombia, so that farmers may embrace the idea of supporting further more- Organic farming . Farmers in Latin America can see the importance and energy that is being used to create these regulations. There is huge market potential for organic products and farmers need to have access to these business possibilities. Latin Organics will continue to directly create opportunities for Latin American farmers so that their organic products may reach important exportation levels.We will support further more the Colombian farmers and crafters with whom we have been directly working with for the past year.
Canada’s New Organic Regulations Expected to Boost Consumer
Confidence
Canada Becomes First Country in the World to Track Organic Imports
OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada (Jan. 4, 2007): The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased by the Canadian government’s December 22 publication of the federal regulation for organic food and livestock feeds. “Consumers will now be assured that when they purchase food that is labeled ‘Canada Organic’ it means that it was produced in compliance with a strict set of national standards for certification,” said Stephanie Wells, OTA’s Canada Liaison. “The regulation will help ease the way for organic trade between provinces and with other countries.”(Click here to see the regulation.)
“With mandatory national organic standards now coming into place, all farmers and manufacturers of organic products will follow the same rules,” said Caren Wilcox, OTA’s Executive Director. “This is good for consumer confidence in organic labels and good for the marketplace. In the United States, consumer awareness rose dramatically when the organic rule was implemented.
“However,” she added, “implementing the regulation will require ironing out a few wrinkles. The new rules will affect every organic enterprise in the country. OTA intends to be very active in shaping the details during the implementation period,” Wilcox said. For instance, OTA believes the regulation calls for unnecessary paperwork on certified organic imports and requires too much confidential formulation detail in the application for organic certification.
Since 1999 Canada has had an organic standard regulated by the organic sector itself. This new regulation means the standards will now be enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
OTA applauds another federal initiative that will have an impact on the organic sector. Canada has become the first country in the world to track organic products moving across its border. Although all import and export commodities are tracked with Harmonization System Codes (HS Codes), they only have been coded by type (for instance, tomatoes are identified as roma or cherry), not by method of production. As of January 2007, HS Codes in Canada also add the certified organic designation to HS Codes to track an initial list of 41 imported organic products ranging from dairy to fruits and vegetables. OTA, which worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to help plan this new program, anticipates that it will give Canadian organic farmers information on products consumers now buy, that could have been grown in Canada. Click here to see the HS Codes listing.
“These two developments are good news for farmers, businesses and shoppers in Canada.” Wilcox said. “Farms and other businesses will
have useful data thanks to the HS Codes, and consumers will know that products labelled organic meet stringent federal requirements.”
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment. As a membership-based business association, the Organic Trade Association, founded in 1985 by Americans and Canadians, focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA's nearly 1,550 members include farmers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and more. For further information, visit OTA's web site at www.ota.com.
November, 2006
Latin Organics™ presents its new Eco-Friendly line of Handcrafted Casa products- The Kankuamo Collection
With the objective to expand Latin Organics™ socially responsible company mission, a new sustainable line of house products is being launched into the market.
These Casa products are 100% biodegradable, ECO-Friendly, hand woven and dyed by a small group of indigenous women who belong to the Colombian Kankuamo tribe.
The Kankuamo’s live in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. They share this sacred mountain paradise with the Kogi, Arhuaco and Wiwa peoples.
The Kankuamo’s express their thoughts of life and Mother Nature through the ancestral art of weaving. Beautiful baskets, mochilas (bags), vases and placemats have been hand woven to create this unique and down to earth collection.
These handcrafted items are an indirect way to bring the outdoors in. It is a constant reminder to tread as gently as possible on the Earth.
Simple, earthy and natural colors are extracted from native plants; using flowers, seeds, leaves, roots and tree bark.
The colors taken from Mother Nature represent hope and a better future for the people of Latin America. These are the colors of Latin Organics™.
Latin Organics™ continues to build long term, fair and direct relationships with our trade partners. At Latin Organics™ we believe that biodiversity is affected by everything that we choose to support.
October, 2006
Taste of Health 2006 presented by Earthsave Canada
On September 30th and on October 1st, 2006, Latin Organics will be donating a Twoonie for every bag of our 100% certified organic and certified Fair Trade Colombian coffee sold during the Taste of Health 2006 event. The funds collected will be donated to Earthsave Canada (www.earthsave.bc.ca). Visit us at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive for a Taste of Health! Earthsave Canada is a nonprofit, educational organization promoting awareness of the health, environmental and ethical consequences of our food choices.
September, 2006
Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo 2006 in Vancouver
Latin Organics™ is preparing all the details and logistics for its first participation in the Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo (www.coffee-expo.com) that will take place in Vancouver, on September 24th and 25th, 2006. Come and visit us at booth number 51. Do not forget to pick up the show guide so that you may read more about Latin Organics™.
September, 2006
Latin Organics™ celebrates Whole Foods ‘ second anniversary
On Saturday, September 15th, 2006, Latin Organics™ will be helping our local Whole Foods Market to celebrate its second anniversary. We will be brewing and sampling our delicious Colombian coffee, 100% certified organic, certified Fair Trade and blessed by the farmers who carefully cultivate and harvest the beans. So come by The Village at Park Royal, West Vancouver, and enjoy birthday cake with your sample of Latin Organics™ specialty coffee.
September, 2006
Latin Organics™ at Feast of Fields
Come and join Latin Organics™ at Feast of Fields, to be held at Vista D’Oro Farms, Langley, BC on Sunday, September 10th, 2006. Latin Organics ™ is supporting this annual fundraising event organized by Farm Folk City Folk (www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca). This 12th Feast of Fields is considered a gastronomic journey featuring the best of BC’s restaurants, Latin Organics™ coffee, wineries & farm fresh fare. Come by, spend a day sampling and strolling this culinary event. Latin Organics™ will be brewing a delicate and yummy coffee delight. Half Italian, Half Latin…there’s a powerful coffee duo!
August, 2006
Latin Organics ™supports Annual Colombian Family Picnic
The Colombian Canadian Community of British Columbia (CCCBC) successfully organized their annual Summer Family Picnic, celebrated in Burnaby on August 12th, 2006. The CCCBC (www.cccbc.org) is a non-profit organization- volunteer-run, striving to create strong community ties, and to offer support to new immigrants through the volunteer network that has been established. Latin Organics™ donated several bags of their medium roast coffee called Mamo in support of this event. More than 200 families attended this musical, colorful and fun filled event.
August, 2006
Colombia in Canada- SE HABLA ESPANOL
Martha Bowen, founder of Latin Organics™ was recently interviewed in Vancouver by Paola Quiroz who writes for Toronto’s www.colombiaencanada.ca. Colombia en Canada focuses on finding outstanding personalities born in Colombia who have immigrated to Canada and who are making a difference within their new communities and are serving as role models for other Colombians who now call Canada, home. Please take note that this interview was undertaken in Spanish, as indicated on the phrase printed on Paola Quiroz’s and Luis Quintero’s black T-shirt, in the photograph shown here: SE HABLA ESPANOL- SPANISH IS SPOKEN. Happy reading…!
Click here to read the interview.
July, 2006
BALLE BC and Latin Organics™ share Community Connections
Latin Organics has joined the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (www.ballebc.com). As an independently owned community-based business with enormous social & ecological responsibility, Latin Organics™ is aware of its great impact on the local economy. Latin Organics™ supports the BALLE Mission to create, strengthen and connect local business networks dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies. A local Living Economy provides secure and fulfilling livelihoods for all people, works in harmony with natural systems, supports biological and cultural diversity and fosters fulfilling and enjoyable community life.
July, 2006
SLOW FOOD and Latin Organics™ founder discover a slow and healthy alliance
Martha Bowen besides having passion for Latin Organics™ believes on a personal level that the cultivation and preparation of Food is “an art that needs to be shared with family and friends and that there should be no boundaries”. Martha is convinced that food and the art of preparing food should be shared amongst different cultures. The preparation and tasting of different and new food should be done with out rush. The origin of the different food that is offered by so many cultures across the globe should be kept sustainable and healthy. Martha confirms that “a good start is at home with family and friends, each meal should be a celebration to health and diversity. A time to share stories, thoughts, feelings and theories”. Martha Bowen has joined the Slow Food (www.slowfood.it) movement, so as of now- every meal at home and with friends will be a moment to slow down, enjoy and celebrate.
July, 2006
Doing the Java Justice
» Download interview
May, 2006
Come and join us in celebrating National Fair Trade week from May 5th to May 15th, 2006
Latin Organics will be participating in Fair Trade Fridays in all three Caper's stores from 2 pm to 6 pm. This is a tasteful event and an amazing opportunity for Fair Trade followers to show their support.Latin Organics is committed to travelling directly to Colombia to visit farmers that cultivate natural, organic and fair trade products, as well as helping and educating other farmers so that they may understand the relevance and importance of becoming Fair Trade certified. Latin Organics continues to work on getting more farmers in Colombia involved with the organic agriculture so that illicit crops may be depleted. This important mission combined with Fair Trade certifications can be a vital vehicle to help diminish poverty in Colombia. Try some of our certified Fair Trade and Organic spiritual Colombian coffee on May 5th at Capers West Van, May 12th at Caper's Robson, May 19th at Caper's Kitsilano.Read more about these events at www.transfair.ca under Recent News. We will also be at Urban Fare on May 13, 2006 sharing our coffee with all the Fair Trade lovers in Vancouver.
April, 2006
Earth Day and Latin Organics sharing a common ground
A hip and vibrant event took place at Whole Foods at the Village in Park Royal, located in West Vancouver on Saturday,April 22, 2006. Visitors were excited to taste Latin Organics Fair Trade and Organic Coastal Peak Colombian Coffee. This important effort joined the other activities that were taking place all around the world to celebrate Earth Day. Latin Organics had special interest in supporting this event, because their Coastal Peak Coffee is produced by ancient spiritual indigenous farmers who believe that they are keeping balance in the universe through the spiritual rituals that they offer to Mother Nature before and during the harvest of this coffee. These farmers have shown respect towards the Earth since the beginning of their days, and every ritual that takes place is a celebration in honor of our planet.
March, 2006
Business Forum in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
From March 27th to March 29th, Latin Organics participated in an important event with farmers and growers from this South American country. Several organic and natural products have been chosen by Latin Organics to be exported into the North American Market. A newspaper interview took place with the national newspaper El Espectador about Latin Organics Mission and how it is vital to create awareness with in the Colombian government about the importance of applying and supporting organic agriculture through out the country and the possibilities for more products to be included in Fair Trade programs.Martha Bowen was also interviewed by Tele Caribe, a local TV channel. During this business forum, Latin Organics communicated to several farmers that the company has interest in assisting and guiding them towards the Fair Trade process as well as in helping them contact Trans Fair Canada.
March, 2006
Making a Difference
“Martha Bowen CEO of Latin Organics has generously donated a “coffee basket” in support of the CapChurch advocacy work in Bufukhula, Uganda (see www.CapChurch.ca). Our church partners with Food for the Hungry (www.fh.org) in doing development and emergency aid work in Africa. In this partnership we join with the vision of the town’s leadership where we assist them in providing schooling, health care, construction and clean water. We have sponsored 150+ children in the town and send yearly advocacy teams to work with families and children. Thank you Martha for your support of our Uganda project. You are a great neighbor!” (Dr. Patrick Ducklow, Psychologist and Pastor)
February, 2006
Latin Organics Spiritual Brew
Article by JUSTIN BEDDALL- News Outlook
Matha Bowen makes a spiritual cup of coffee.
The organic Arabica beans she sells are grown by Arhuaco Indians in Northern Colombia. The indigenous farmers, following age-old ancestral traditions, actually bless the beans when they are put into the ground and later have a spiritual ceremony during harvest.
“These beans are spiritual,” explained Bowen, a native of Colombia who now calls West Vancouver home.
Bowen, who studied hotel management in Switzerland, had an organic epiphany one day while she was working at Capers in West Vancouver as food service manager a few years ago.
There she was standing in a store surrounded by organic products grown around the world — why not organic Colombian coffee?
» Read more, download full article in PDF format
January, 2006
Latin Organics Supporting the North Shore Women's Centre in their effort to promote V-Day
V-day (www.vday.org) is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. The North Shore Women's Centre is inviting people, as they celebrate women's lives, raise awareness and envision a world without violence. The North Shore Women's Centre has organized a silent auction and a production from Eve Ensler to take place at the Centennial Theatre located in North Vancouver on Saturday, February 4th and Sunday, February 5th. Latin Organics will be present offering to those attending; their amazing spiritual coffee: Coastal Peak. This is an invitation for coffee lovers to reconnect with their roots, while supporting an important cause.
January, 2006
Belief in a Higher Spiritual Bean
Shared Vision, Vancouver's magazine for conscious community writes in its Business section an article about Latin Organics:
"Martha Bowen’s brand of Latin Organics coffee, made from beans produced by Colombia’s Arhuaco Indians, is not just certified organic and fair-trade; it has also received a blessing from a higher power. “Every time a seedling is planted, these indigenous farmers make a special prayer thanking Mother Nature for what they’re about to plant,” says Bowen. “Once the cherries are ripe and they are going to pull them off the coffee bean, they also do another prayer in a special ceremony.”"
» Read full article "Belief in a Higher Spiritual Bean"
November, 2005
The Toronto Sun warms up readers with news on Latin Organics spiritual coffee beans.
The Toronto Sun wrote: "Foods deemed to be closer to the farm are capturing consumers' dollars. Fair Trade coffee seems to be exploiding in this category.
A new company, Latin Organics takes this trend further by producing organic coffee from the Colombian region from an indigenous group who still maintain ancestral traditions before harvesting the coffee."
October, 2005
New Company joins the Organic Industry
Latin Organics Inc.; a British Columbia based company with strong Latin American roots, is excited to announce the re-launching of its website. The re-opening of this website is due to the excitement around the introduction of a very special Arabica coffee bean into the Vancouver Market . Everyone is excited to know the coffee beans are: 100% certified organic, coming "directo" from Colombia, and that they contain unique spiritual notess. We hope that through our website we will provide our customers and business partners all the tools necessary to exceed their expectations, while providing an exciting learning opportunity for those who have the passion and eagerness to become coffee connoisseurs.
Latin Organics Inc. is proud in taking the time to carefully establish long term business and friendship relations directly with the farmers. Being able to negotiate on a one-to-one basis,within Fair Trade guidelines, is just one of the many strategies that Latin Organics applies to reach out and truly support these farmers and their families. Our Company slogan "Supporting Latin American farmers" speaks for its self. We are committed to improving the lifestyle conditions of Latin American farmers and their families while creating a balanced economic platform for future generations. Taking care of the environment through the implementation of organic agricultural practicess is vital for the economical survival of many Latin American countries.
August, 2005
All on Board…
Latin Organics attends an important business meeting in Houston.
Texas. A written joint venture proposal was presented directly to Mr. Alvaro Uribe Velez, President of Colombia.
Latin Organics is working on creating a feasible platform that would allow the organic agriculture in Colombia to fully develop. It is vital that the organic agriculture in Colombia be developed with in international standards and competitive guidelines. Latin Organics wants to bring the Colombian government on board as an active player in the execution of this project. This important shift would give thousands of farmers some alternatives to secure their future and the well-being of their families, as well as, diminish the cultivation of illicit crops.
September, 2004
Latin Organics atttends a Latin America Business Forum
Latin Organics attended a business forum of Latin American companies. Several of these Latin American companies have shown interest towards the philosophy and social mission that surrounds Latin Organics' corporate identity. We are expecting to achieve a positive and forward thinking liason with several of the potential business partners that we have scheduled to meet.
August, 2004
"En directo" from Colombia
The largest National Radio Broadcasting Company in Colombia invited Latin Organics for an interview. Latin Organics expressed its desire and emphasized on the importance of working with the goverment to help develop the organic agriculture in this Latin American country. Government representatives were contacted and the Vision of Latin Organics was shared with them. Latin Organics will continue to work on this Vision.