The Jam Project
Happy New Year everyone! And even though it is just a symbolic way of dividing up the time in our lives, each new years brings us the opportunity to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. One of our missions here at San Juan del Sur Guide has always been to promote and educate about sustainable tourism and development in Nicaragua. Sustainability is key to a healthy future for the environment, economy and local community and we are looking forward to taking this mission to a whole new level in 2011.
To kick things off, I wanted to fill you in a local San Juan del Sur project that really stands out -The Jam Project. Started by the folks at El Carizal, a sustainable community outside of San Juan del Sur, The Jam Project makes and sells jam from locally grown, seasonal, organic fruit in flavors like apple, guava, pitaya, pineapple and tamarindo.
The project, also know as “Condimentos del Carizal”, is a cooperative effort which is owned and operated by the women in the Carizal community. They grow the fruit, manage the business, make, package and sell the jams. Efforts are funded by local sales and by the Pitaya Festival, a music, art, sports and sustainability even which is takes place every February on the grounds of El Carizal. See our article on the Pitaya Festival for more information.
All of the proceeds from jam sales go directly to the “Condimentos Del Carizal”, with the eventual goal of building a community health clinic and commercial kitchen for further condiment preparation and distribution. Together the women in the community have opened a bank account and are currently saving money to achieve these goals.
You can support the El Carizal community by purchasing the co-op’s home-made jam. Jam is for sale in San Juan del Sur at: El Gato Negro, Pan de Vida, Pau Hana and several local pulperias (convenience stores) around San Juan del Sur. You can also come out to the Carrizal and purchase them across the road from the Carlos Guzman School.
Please visit El Carizal’s Website for more information or to get involved.
