The name of Luiz’s company, Ouro Verde, literally translates to “Green Gold,” an apt title given the value his company has found in sustainably harvesting the Brazil nut. This highly versatile food product is native to the region of Mato Grosso, where Ouro Verde’s primary operations are located. The company gives local farmers a viable alternative to the practice of unsustainable logging – suppliers harvest the Brazil nut which Ouro Verde is able to buy at a premium, adding value to the product by manufacturing Brazil nut-based cooking oils, butters and granulated powders. Ouro Verde goes further to ensure that a significant portion of its profits are shared with producers and reinvested in the community, as it has effectively cut out expensive middlemen by creating partnerships with local municipal governments to provide transportation and direct market access.
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