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Big Tree Organic Farms Co-op (Organic Almonds) |
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Region: Central California, USA
 The farmers who would one day form Big Tree Organic Farms Co-op were pioneers in organic almond farming in California. They had been working since the 1980s to convert their farms to more ecologically sound practices. But in 1997, they found themselves with a bumper crop and no processors in the area who would handle organic almonds. What could they do? Like family farmers around the world, they organized. They put their crop into cold storage and set about planning for the future. In 1998 they established their co-op, and in 2003 they opened their own processing facility so that they could shell, store and market their almonds. Today, Big Tree is a co-operative of 28 members whose farms range between 11 and 150 acres. Seasonal workers in the shelling plant receive above minimum wage and most return to work in the facility year after year. All of Big Tree's almonds, including Nonpareil, Carmel and Mission varieties, are grown organically. And as consumer awareness of the health benefits of almonds continues to grow, the members of Big Tree are growing their co-operative.
Big Tree Organic Farms Co-op is Equal Exchange's first trading partner for organic almonds, and we use their Carmel variety in our delicious Organic Tamari-Roasted Almonds.
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