Mountain Label Distinguishes Rare and Biodiverse Products
03 Oct 2016 --- A new label specifically for mountain products aims to help small highland producers get a foothold in new markets, boost biological diversity and push the distinctiveness of products. The first phase of the Mountain Partnership Products initiative – run by FAO and Slow Food, which helps prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions – has been launched and includes several flagship products.
Among them are apricots grown in the remote mountainous region of Batken in Kyrgyzstan and rare black amaranth grain cultivated in the Bolivian Andes. A variety of other goods ranging from coffee to tea and spices from different mountain areas of developing countries will also be marketed under the new label.
The idea is to give these kinds of products a distinguishable brand through the voluntary labeling scheme while giving consumers a guarantee they come from small-scale producers and have been respectful of local ecosystems.
The label will be available free of charge to mountain producers following a review of their products and production methods. It also places a premium on goods that support local biodiversity and production methods connected to cultural traditions of mountain communities, as well as ensuring fair returns for producers and equality throughout the supply chain.
"Promoting biodiversity and supporting smallholder producers are both crucial actions to improve rural development and secure the future of mountain areas," Slow Food general secretary Paolo Di Croce tells FoodIngredientsFirst. "Despite their rich culture and environmental heritage, mountain communities remain economically marginalized."
New markets for products carrying the mountain label include organic stores and speciality shops.
"We believe that a mountain label will attract consumers that are interested in high quality and environmentally sound products and give them the information they need to make conscious choices about the values, methods and communities they want to support with their purchases," says Rosalaura Romeo, program officer of the FAO's Mountain Partnership Secretariat.
"Promoting biodiversity and supporting smallholder producers are both crucial actions to improve rural development and secure the future of mountain areas," says general secretary of Slow Food Paolo Di Croce. Despite their rich culture and environmental heritage, mountain communities remain economically marginalized, he adds.
One of the reasons for this is the remoteness and isolation of mountain areas often impedes producers, limits their access to markets, extension services, credit and information. On top of that they can also be held back by the hugh volume of middlemen in the value chain of many mountain products which means the producers don’t always get fair returns.
The scheme is not mandatory and it doesn’t replace other labels that mountain products may have to carry by law, however it’s an easy tool for small scale producers and associations to distinguish their products and tap into growing consumer demand for food that supports biodiversity and environmental conversations.
Products will also be monitored through a verification system to ensure they meet all guidelines and several products, including those in Kyrgyzstan and Bolivia, are given an extra boost through education; producers will be taught new ways to scale up and add value to their existing production.
The initiative merges the strengths of the Mountain Partnership in addressing highland-specific challenges through its global network with the experience of Slow Food in supporting traditional crops and products which risk disappearing, protecting unique ecosystems and recovering traditional processing methods.
The collaboration is part of a three-year agreement between FAO and Slow Food to promote more inclusive food and agriculture systems at local, national and international levels.
by Gaynor Selby
