Via Orgánica: organic farm, shop and restaurant in San Miguel de Allende

Context

The the 1940s, the green revolution in Mexico encouraged the use of fertilizers and pesticides to increase agricultural productivity. This has resulted in excessive use of chemicals, which is now reinforced by the needs of large monocultures to meet the export quality standards. Today, the soils are very degraded (45.6% of the soils in the state of Guanajuato are considered to be of poor quality). A transition to production models that are more respectful of people and nature is necessary.

Project

Vía Orgánica is a Mexican non-profit organization whose mission is to promote organic farming, fair trade, healthier diets and lifestyles and the protection of natural resources.

Its main objective is to connect producers, suppliers, traders, local associations and food processors in order to create a strong quality organic products supply and distribution system involving the various stakeholders of the food chain. The aim is to strengthen the organic agriculture movement in Mexico.

Via Orgánica is a made up of 4 components:

• An organic farming farm school: The farm produces a variety of vegetables and eggs for the consumers of the area. Agroforestry and agroecology practices are experienced to limit the use of chemicals. Free organic regenerative farming workshops are organized for farmers. Visits and workshops are organized for local people and schools. The farm is also hosting a bed and breakfast. 
• A store in the center of San Miguel de Allende: sale of organic products from the Via Orgánica farm and other local producers.
• A food processing unit: Processing of some farm produce for better conservation.
• The restaurant-café, which provides citizens of San Miguel de Allende with access to healthier food and reconnects to nature.

Project leaders

Via Orgánica was created in 2009 and came out from the "Organic Consumers Association", a national network of consumers of organic products in the United States, which promotes health, justice, sustainability, peace and democracy.

The founders of Vía Orgánica, Rosana Álvarez, president of Vía Orgánica, as well as Rose Welch and Ronnie Cummins, founders of the OCA, decided to open the doors of Vía Orgánica in 2009, in order to connect smallscale local farmers to consumers looking for locally produced organic products in San Miguel de Allende.

The Little Extra

Vía Orgánica employs local workers whose salary is 20% higher than the normal wage. In 2018, Via Orgánica employed more than 60 people, a third of whom were youth. Via Orgánica gives them the opportunity not to migrate to the United States and to enhance their local heritage.

Last modification : 17 Apr 2020.