Socially responsible companies in the area

One of my favorite things about living in a developing country is the availability of local products. I find it much easier to purchase local food and other products. You have to dig pretty deep into information about farm subsidies and trade agreements to understand why it costs so much to buy local "organic" food in America compared to mass produced agriculture. I remember being shocked while living in Jamaica that there were two types of potatoes available in the marketplace; one imported from the US and one local. The one grown in Idaho and transported a thousand miles was somehow cheaper than the one grown up the road in St. Ann.

Whether it's a result of an undeveloped economy, lack of advanced agriculture techniques, or other factors, fruit and vegetable are extremely local in Moshi. The seasonality of some items, especially fruits, helps to link my eating patterns with growing patterns in the area. This is something I feel is being lost in America as supermarkets are stocked with the same fruit and veg year round with only a few items remaining distinctly seasonal.

Market in Moshi

Although the produce is local, when I finally buy my carrots and potatoes from the market woman, there is a lot of value lost from the original grower to the final seller. This is a result of a countless middle men and although everyone gets a small profits possibly supporting the argument of job creation, the original grower still loses a lot. This process is highlighted in an awesome article by the Economist following the journey of an onion in India from farm to marketplace. Although things aren't as complicated as India, it still gives you an idea of how complicated the process is in developing countries.

I attempt to be as socially responsible with my purchases as possible. I think it's one of the most effective ways to combat some of the nasty side effects of capitalism, as well as directly supporting local and transparent businesses. Having spent years in developing countries I've seen the exploitation first hand and can not deny that my cheap Old Navy t-shirt is made at the expense of some rural migrant in a sweatshop in Singapore, or that my coffee is grown on a clear cut patch of rainforest by exploited migrants paid a penance. It's something I thought was "too much to think about" for some time but now I have dedicated myself to buying local products, second hand goods, and supporting local businesses.

Two awesome companies in the area are Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union in Moshi and Tanz Hands Bread in Arusha. Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union is a cooperative supporting small scale coffee farmers in the region. Because of the elevation around Moshi, coffee is a major cash crop for locals. They also have a beautiful coffee shop in central Moshi and offer tours of the coffee farms as well as information about the farmers they support. They are Fair Trade Certified and sell delicious coffee at a reasonable price.

The chic KNCU Union Cafe

Tanz Hands and offshoot of the Usa rehabilitation center in Arusha. The organization serves as a rehabilitation and training center supporting and assisting young people, especially those with disabilities. Tanz-Hand´s bakery was opened in June 2013 as one of the income generating projects of Usa River Rehabilitation Center. They offer awesome bread and other bakery treats. The typical bread here is a bit sweet and full of bleached flour. Tanz-Hands offers whole wheat bread and many other healthy combinations. There is an organization in Moshi that takes orders every two weeks for those who can't make the trip to Arusha.

Behind the counter at Union Cafe. Legitimate coffee shop!

In the end I can have a healthy and nutritious diet while consuming products from Tanzania. Even the few packaged goods we purchase (oats and pasta) are produced in East Africa. In fact, the only import we use is the 5L bottle of olive oil we brought back from Spain!