Artisan Cane Sugar & Protecting Colombia’s Biodiversity with Heirloma

Better Food Stories

Colombia's remote, Arhuaco tribe has been cultivating heirloom sugarcane varietals high in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta for generations.

After visiting Colombia and being introduced to this tradition, Philadelphia-based entrepreneur Hustino Mitchell had an idea for a new business– to bring rare ancestral cane sugars to the international market while creating direct social impact to the small-plot farmers who cultivate it.

Just as he was getting ready to launch, the entire world was shook by COVID-19 and Hustino and his family found themselves sheltering in place in Colomba’s remote mountain region.

In this interview, learn how:

• Hustino is launching a food business in the midst of a global pandemic.
• Heirloma is preserving a biodiverse future for cane sugar while supporting local indigenous tribes
• Hustino and his family are embracing a new way of life in Colombia

We also talk a lot about cane sugar, what makes it different from the sugar most of us are used to, and what we can all learn from the Arhuacos about being better protectors of our natural resources.

You can learn more about Heirloma at heirloma.com.

And make sure to follow @BetterFoodStories on Instagram for updates on new episodes!

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