Sourcing from China
from the OCP Newsletter November 2009

A few folks have asked us about the nori sheets and goji berries that we are sourcing from China. These items are from a US distributor that we have a close relationship with, and in conversation with them yesterday we asked a few more questions about the China picture.

The company we get these from was started by someone with a high level of chemical sensitivity, who has had reactions in the past from nori sheets labeled as organic. All of the products from this distributor (which includes the nori, goji berries, incan berries, and hemp seeds) are grown or harvested from pristine territory in their countries (China, Peru, and Canada) and are rigorously tested in US labs for chemicals and heavy metals because the distributors themselves are sensitive to the issue. These goji berries, which are used in China as high medicinals, have been tested for over 400 chemicals used in agriculture and processing, including sulfites, and passed with no chemical detection. The nori is the best nori they (and we!) have found, and anyone who has tried it will attest to this… it’s noticeably different.

We also asked about the labor issue of product from China. This distributor works with small local farmers in all of the countries from which it sources product. Because these items are of extremely high quality, in high demand, and in small supply at this quality, the farmers of these products dictate their own prices to the distributor, who supports the farmer and their local community in growing robust local economy. The arrangement they have with the farmers exceeds Fair Trade (which is a protocol established as much to protect the Western distributors as the local growers and harvesters). Unlike Fair Trade agreements, the farmers of the nori sheets, goji berries, incan berries, and hemp seeds are able to dictate the terms of their arrangement and they enjoy a higher quality of living than similar growers and harvesters of lesser quality or lesser contracts in their countries.

We have every confidence that this distributor has worked tirelessly to find the highest quality product available for market, which quality includes sustainable farming and economic practices. The distributor requires the “Made in China” label on its nori packaging because it is proud of its sourcing, and wants for this product to demonstrate both inside and outside China that responsible organic farming can be economically viable for the local farmer around the world.