18 OCTOBER 2017 The one-day restaurants, hosted by Pilkingtons in Auckland and Kadett in Christchurch, have marked the launch of Ceres’ world-first see-through home-compostable-packaged white quinoa. Designed interior-wise by Kiwi artist and illustrator Evie Kemp, the restaurants’ guests were transported to the foothills of the Andes as they embarked on a cultural and culinary tour of Peru. Lim says Peruvian cuisine is full of flavour, colour and textures, with influences from many European, Asian and African cuisines. “It’s exotic, diverse and unique,” she says. Cultivated in Peru for thousands of years, the versatile seed is a key component in Nadia’s Peruvian inspired recipes. “There’s a reason quinoa was such a prized crop for the Incan Empire,” Lim says. “It has a unique nutritional profile, full of quality protein and dietary fibre, and makes a great gluten-free alternative, all of which has led to its popularity.” For more than 15 years, Ceres Organics has worked with a collective of traditional Peruvian farmers who grow quinoa the same way their organic ancient ancestors did: small plots, up high and by hand. The white quinoa contains no harmful synthetic pesticides or chemicals, as indicated by the BioGro certification logo on the front of the packet, Ceres says. It’s also EcoSocial certified - an organic fair-trade certification that promotes ethical trade by integrating organic, economic, social and environmental criteria into a single verification programme. Ceres Organics managing director Noel Josephson says demand for quinoa keeps Peruvian farms in business and his company has worked hard to form a relationship with farmers that is built on trust, fair trading and ethical business practices. “Ceres Organics brings quinoa from its most authentic source - Peru. It keeps the link to its ancient heritage alive, and customers are helping to improve the living standard of many Peruvian families. That’s worth celebrating.” The company has conducted a makeover with its innovative home compostable packaging, designed to help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The compostable packs are made from renewable resources and will begin to break down in a typical home compost bin or worm farm in just six weeks, Josephson says. “The packaging reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainability, people and the planet.” Before the world became aware of quinoa and demand increased, some Peruvians relied on coca (a plant used in the production of cocaine) to make a living, so growing quinoa has helped farmers to make legal livelihoods and keep their communities safer. Last year, Ceres Organics contributed approximately $17,500 as an EcoSocial premium to support several initiatives, chosen by Peruvian locals to help advance their farming practices and benefit the environment, Josephson says. CELEBRATED IN NEW ZEALAND New Zealand’s first Peruvian popup restaurants have celebrated the provenance of quinoa (pronounced ken-wa), thanks to celebrity chef and author Nadia Lim in association with Ceres Organics. QUINOA
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