Building a community-based, Fair Trade distribution for Kampot Pepper while helping to fight childhood hunger.
Backstory
I have been traveling to Cambodia since 2012. I live part time in Phnom Voar, a small village in the heart of the Kampot Pepper growing region. I am a social entrepreneur and an avowed pepper lover. This is how this social purpose business came about:
I discovered Kampot Pepper, the best pepper in the world, on a visit to Kep, Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand and 2-3 times a year brought it back to share with family and friends. When I took up residence in Phnom Voar I learned that after the Khmer Rouge were defeated in 1979 the rebels set up camp in the Voar Mountains and were only finally expelled in 1999.
It was twenty years after the Cambodian Genocide before the traditional pepper farmers could begin to rebuild their ancient farming system. I learned that in the 1960’s Kampot was exporting over 3,000 tons of pepper. In 2000 they produced 2 tons and last year they produced 75. They are slowly rebuilding.
In Feb. 2016 the EU awarded Kampot Pepper the coveted PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) putting it on the same footing as other appellation of origin brands like Champagne, Cognac, Darjeeling etc.
What I also discovered was that the small pepper farmers were losing ground to newer and larger growers who are buying up land in the region to expand their own farms. The small landholders need direct access to a Fair Trade distribution network in the West.
As a social entrepreneur I saw an opportuity to build a brand that had an even greater social purpose and that is how 50 Million Meals was born.
I invite you to try the ‘Best Pepper Ever’ and consider choosing Kampot Salt & Pepper as your table seasoning of choice. Also, please share our story. Many thanks
