Stories From the Field: Amaranth Helps Juana’s Youngest Son Recover His Health!

Juana de Dios Vazquez López is 26 years old and a mother of three sons (between the ages of three and seven) from San Antonino el Alto, a mountainous village in the southern region of Oaxaca. Juana plays multiple roles in her family: mother, housewife, and farmer. While Juana’s husband is away working in a seasonal reforestation project, she assumes the responsibility as a farmer in addition to being a caretaker. In 2007, Juana participated in Puente’s Training Farmers project, which trains local farmers on commercial amaranth production through sustainable and organic agricultural practices. When asked why she joined Puente’s Training Farmers project, she answered, “I like growing amaranth because it gives us more food options and I can learn something new.” Juana continued, “My youngest son was diagnosed as underweight in January, and the doctor suggested that my son should eat more soup and other foods.” As a result, she started feeding her son porridge with amaranth flour and now he is no longer underweight and has recuperated from malnutrition. Even after her son recovered, Juana continued to attend Puente’s workshops on how to use organic agricultural techniques; so, now, Juana is even better prepared to plant amaranth this year.

The Training Farmers project is supported by

Puente Brings Amaranth to Oaxaca’s Grocery Stores

In September, Puente will launch a first of its kind marketing campaign at Pitico, a local grocery store chain in the city of Oaxaca. In partnership with the Oaxaca Community Foundation and Pitico, Puente will promote the awareness of amaranth in Oaxaca City. Pitico stores in Oaxaca will place advertisements on their store’s coupon flyers, bill boards, and banners to educate Pitico customers about the nutritional benefits of amaranth. The marketing campaign will also include the promotion of amaranth products and its unique branding as a native food source. In addition to local Pitico stores, the campaign will place advertisements with local radio and news outlets in Oaxaca during August, September, and October. The Pitico campaign is part of Puente’s larger strategy to increase amaranth awareness among the public in the city of Oaxaca as well as in rural communities. Puente is excited to create this new partnership with a respected foundation and a 35 year-old grocery store franchise in Oaxaca to develop a cause-based marketing campaign that will further Puente’s mission to improve the well-being of rural families.

Celebrating Amaranth Day with Local Farmers

During August and September, Puente will hold four “Amaranth Day” events to celebrate local farmers' success in cultivating amaranth. More than 150 amaranth farmers and their families will gather in Nochixtlán, Santa María Tlahuitoltepec, San Antonio el Alto, and San Miguel Peras to learn about amaranth and share their experiences in growing amaranth. Event activities will include amaranth plant viewings, music, food, and prizes for farmers. For more information,  read the press release.