IF YOU EAT, YOU'RE INVITED.

Wild strawberries found on the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu

The last six weeks have been an absolute blessing for us at Origins of Food as we have tasted, touched, seen, smelled and listened our way through mystical Peru and vibrant Argentina.

 

In Peru, we led an engaged group of students from George Mason University through Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley area on an accredited program focused on Public Health in which we explored the complexities of the health care system, including the disparities of the available resources and infrastructure to the people of Peru. With our local guide Ely, we toured urban hospitals and rural clinics, were given presentations by health care professionals and met public health campaigners who demonstrated Peru's strong and innovative network of community organized health access and information. We also stayed with our good friends and partners, the Ccapa Family, on their traditonally run farm Kausay Punku where the group developed an idea of rural Quechua life, history, culture, food and natural medicine. It was an impactful three weeks, complete with a five day trek to the always impressive Machu Picchu, which culminated in new understandings, perspectives and friendships for both the group and ourselves.

The GMU group and the Ccapa Family at Kausay Punku in Maska, Peru

Forget beef; did someone mention empanadas?

 

We are currently on a business trip researching and meeting possible partners for a series of Argentina programs in 2017, and of course that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the smorgasbord of delicious treats available in this massive South American country. Artisanal gelato, dulce de leche (caramel spread), asados (BBQ), Malbec (red wine), alfajores (cookie sandwiches with ducle de leche), fresh made pastas, and medialunas (breakfast crossaints) have been devoured in copious amounts.

 

That being said, we have also put our backpacking skills to good use and have been overnight bussing across the country like crazy in search of wonderful projects, unique places and innovative people who we hope to incorporate into an Origins of Food Argentina trip:

  • Diego, an organic winemaker in Mendoza and Cafayate who wants to grow vegetables with the community under his grapevines.
  • Mariana, a local food crusader who is passionate in supplying her neighbors with fresh and healthy foods in bi-weekly food boxes.
  • Angela, who has spent 20 years dedicated to growing her organic flour and cold pressed oil mill into a sustainable business just two hours outside of Buenos Aires.
  • Irmina and Remo, who own a biodynamic farm in the Northeast of the country where they not only promote sustainable agriculture (and produce delicious gouda cheese, oils, jams and grains!) but also provide community and holistic education.

 

In two short weeks, these potential partners have already impressed us with their energy, vision and drive, and we can't wait to share their work and stories with many of you in the near future.

Argentine cafe life: Medialunas, cafe con leche, and Isabel Allende's House of Spirits

We still have spots available for both of our Summer 2016 Vermont programs. Spread the word about our programs focused on a local food system and community surrounded by the verdant Green Mountains!

D.I.Y. Hands-On Food Workshops, Aug. 25th-28th
Food Justice & Agroecology, Sep. 1st-5th

Lindsey, Arcadio Ccapa and Matt in the mountains behind Kausay Punku, Pisac, Peru

Thanks for being a part of our story and please keep in touch

with any new ideas, photos, food stories and inspirations. For more of our Peru program photos, check out our instagram feed and facebook page.

Un abrazo,

L & M

Vermont, United States

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