Colombia

Green Territory of Peace (GTP) and Head of Household Women of Caldas (HHWC)

GTP and HHWC are two women's cooperatives in city of the Quibdo, Colombia whom Tropical Wholefoods contacted through Zeri (Zero Emissions and Research Initiative.) The cooperatives are producing oyster mushrooms on waste sawdust from the big sawmills of the area. The sawdust is normally thrown into the Atrato River.

Through cultivating oyster mushrooms, the women are producing a valuable and nutritious food which can be sold and can be eaten at home. They are also reducing and converting waste to a useable product.

Aged between 30 and 60, the women of the co-operatives are able to combine their household duties with part time work cultivating oyster mushrooms, as the growing sites are situated near to their homes.

GTP has been assisted by the Agropolis CDRC of Canada who financed their oyster growing site. Setas Potin Corporation from Bogota and the Chamber of Commerce and City Mayor of Manizales is also assisting the women.

Tropical Wholefoods' first purchase of oyster mushrooms was in May 2005, and their second purchase was in November 2005.