Our core mission at Forestopia is to expand market opportunities for tree crops and tree products, all sustainably sourced from well-managed, regenerative agroforestry systems or ecologically sound harvesting of non-timber forest products.
We cultivate long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with small-holder grower groups and harvester communities around the globe, to promote sustainable agroforestry and conservation practices, and bring to you healthy and delicious tree products.
Tree Products
Coffee Forestopia proudly partners with the Union de Productores Maya Vinic (Chiapas, Mexico) to source an exceptional quality coffee. Maya Vinic is an indigenous small holder coop in southern Mexico committed to principles of agroecology and social justice. Maya Vinic's coffee, grown in well-managed agroforestry systems in highland Chiapas with attention to quality, is a superb coffee with exquisite taste. Available in green beans (bulk/wholesale options), and as roasted coffee in several retail presentations.
Teas and Medicinals Currently offering a selection of local (NE USA), wild-harvested teas and medicinals including staghorn sumac, mountain ash, witch hazel, fireweed and others. Coming soon in 2021, Forestopia will again be offering select teas from small-holder grower cooperatives in the Ilam district of Nepal. Cacao/Cocoa Products Forestopia raw cacao beans (Theobroma cacao) and cocoa products (nibs, cocoa paste/liquor and cocoa butter) are from select "criollo" cacao varietals grown by members of the Centro Agroecologico San Franciso de Assis (CASFA) grower's cooperative in the Xoconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Very distinct from most commodity cacao, these choice beans (not hybrid or grafted varietals in conventional orchard settings) are unique, locally specific heirloom selections with distinct flavor profiles, grown in biodiverse agroforestry systems underneath a canopy of native forest shade trees. You will be be delighted by the amazing flavor profile of these highly regarded beans, a favorite of craft chocolate makers.
Flours and Meals from Tree Seeds Marula and Hanza- try these unique flours milled from native tree seeds from the the Sahel region of western Africa. Sourced through our partner organization, Sahara Sahel Foods and participating local harvester collectives in Niger. SSF for many decades has worked to advance food security and ecosystem regeneration across the Sahel region through increased use of native, drought tolerant perennial species including marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and hanza (Boscia senegalensis).
Baobab- a versatile, drought resistant tree growing in arid and semi-arid areas across Africa, it produces both edible fruit and seeds. Baobab flour, derived from the dried fruit pulp is a wonderful and versatile ingredient for a range of baked goods, smoothies, and other preparations. Forestopia baobab flour is harvested and processed by a network of women entrepreneurs and sourced through Bayoba, an organization dedicated to advancing sustainable harvesting and use of baobab, environmental conservation and enhanced livelihoods for harvester communities.
Ramon Seed Flour - Forestopia's ramon products are gathered from wild ramon/ojushte (Brosimum alicastrum) trees in protected forests of the Peten region of Northern Guatemala by the women's producer cooperative Associacion de Productores Nutrinaturales S.A (ANSA) and harvester collectives of the Associación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén (ACOFOP). Ramon seed flour is a highly versatile, nutritious food. Great for cakes, pastries, pancakes, cookies, breakfast cereal and many culinary dishes.
Mesquite flour - Mesquite flour is a wonderful, highly nutritious and gluten free (GF) alternative to wheat flour. The pods are gathered from wild, native mesquite trees (Prosopis spp.) by partner collector networks in both Mexico and Argentina, and milled into a fine flour (certified organic). Mesquite flour's chocolatey, slightly sweet and earthy flavor and aroma is a great addition to both your baking and many savory dishes like chili, stews and spicy sauces.
Nuts Sourced from native trees, our northern pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are sweet and delicious. Forestopia partners with the Missouri Northern Pecan Growers (MNPG), a small group of dedicated growers, producing the finest selection of northern pecans. Distinct from conventional commodity pecans grown in large orchards, northern pecans are smaller in size but have a higher oil content and remarkable taste - sweeter and more flavorful! Our pecans, pecan meal and pecan oil are all organic certified and grown in agroforestry-managed stands of native pecan trees.
Black walnuts are a delicious, wild-harvested nut with a distinctive and robust flavor. The eastern black walnut tree (Juglans nigra ) is common throughout the eastern USA and produces abundant nuts with a very tough shell. Forestopia black walnuts are collected by a dedicated network of experienced harvesters, and cleaned and shelled at a partner SQF level III facility to ensure highest quality and consistency.
Beginning in Summer 2021, Forestopia will offer delicious Galip nuts gathered from native trees by a community-based harvester association in Papua New Guinea.
Soap Nuts/Soap Berries Soap nuts are the naturally occurring fruit or berries of the Sapindus trees (S. mukorossi and S. saponaria). Soapnuts are high in saponins and can be used in their raw form as a natural laundry detergent, or used to make a wide range of all-natural highly effective, skin-friendly soaps and and cosmetic products. Forestopia soap nuts are sourced from partner harvester groups in South Asia and Central America, committed to environmental stewardship and economic empowerment of their members.
Chestnuts and Chestnut Flour Forestopia sources fresh chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) and chestnut flour from individual growers and grower associations throughout the Northeast USA - growers like the Rt. 9 Chestnut Coop and Big River Chestnuts, committed to agroforestry and agroecological principles and expanding viable tree crop industries across the region.
Some of Our Projects
Meso-American Criollo Cacao Rescue Project
Partnership for Nepal Tea Sector Agroforestry Development
Market Development for Sustainably Harvested Non-Timber Forest Products
Agroforestry Tree Crops for the Northeast USA: Sustainable Production, Industry Infrastructure and Markets
