By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On April 6th the Clube Orgânico will officially launch in Rio de Janeiro. The organic food club will offer weekly delivery of organic food baskets, directly connecting health conscious consumers and organic producers, as interest for healthy food offerings have increased in the city.
Created by Victor Piranda and Eduardo Boorhem, the pilot of the project launched in September of last year and has proven successful. A part of the Shell Iniciativa Jovem youth organization, the creators of the Clube Orgânico were inspired by similar programs in Japan and the United States.
“We know there is great demand for organic food, but it is difficult to find it, and the produce is not always in good condition and is usually expensive,” co-founder Piranda recently told Agência Brasil. “The Organic Club is a collaborative economy project, we want to ensure fair compensation to the producer, so they can work safely and offer quality products at fair prices.”
Subscriptions to the club work by a monthly fee with an initial sign-up charge. On Mondays, Clube Orgânico subscribers receive a standard basket with fifteen items including organically grown fruits, root vegetables, and spices. Baskets are not currently customizable, but subscribers can indicate which items they prefer always, occasionally and/or rarely.
Home delivery of the baskets will be available in the neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca, Tijuca, Grajaú, Vila Isabel, Botafogo and Humaitá. For those who do not reside in those neighborhoods, pickups can be made at Arca Urbanas in Botafogo and Mutações in Humaitá.
Approximately fifty to one hundred and twenty spaces are still available. For more information about Clube Orgânico, see their Facebook page and their website.
Additionally, for more information about restaurants in Rio de Janeiro that serve meals made with organic food, see The Rio Times article, “The Best Organic Food Spots in Rio de Janeiro.”