Farafena’s entry into Canada a boost for African women farmers
Farafena, a company offering nutrient-dense, African-grown and sustainable products, has expanded across Canada with its products now accessible across Canada, including 500 Loblaw stores.
The company currently partners with over 850 African women farmers in nine villages, bringing nutrient-dense, African-grown products to Canadian tables with a product portfolio spanning from nutrition-boosting grains, flours and powders including Fonio, Moringa and Baobab.
To date, Farafena’s engagement with women farmers in Africa has provided increased business opportunities and product earnings well above the national average. This is resulting in women being able to start micro businesses, build homes for their families, and educate their children – as well as improving the health and prosperity of rural villages, while supporting traditional farming practices.
Fonio is called the perfect grain, an exciting alternative to couscous and quinoa which has been cultivated in sub Saharan Africa for thousands of years. It’s gluten-free, has more protein than brown rice and teff, has zero sugar and is a source of iron and zinc. Our Fonio is featured in salads, stews and porridges and as a stone-milled flour for baking,
Baobab is a powerful antioxidant with a high concentration of Vitamin C, potassium and other electrolytes, which makes it a natural supplement to smoothies, snacks and desserts. Baobab trees are ancient African trees (many live for thousands years or more) that produce a fruit with a citrus-like flavour.
Moringa is known as the Miracle Tree, the leaves are a source of calcium, protein and iron. In Africa, Moringa leaves have been used for centuries in drinks, sauces and salads.
Farafena’s Founder, Oumar Barou Togola, has generational family ties to Mali that have been instrumental in establishing an equitable relationship with Farafena’s women farmers in Africa.
Speaking about the launch, Oumar said: “Having been raised in Mali, I’ve seen first-hand the opportunity to build equitable and authentic relationships with women farmer entrepreneurs in Africa. That’s why we founded Farafena to provide women farmers with an opportunity to share their food with the world.
“My dream is for Farafena to set an example of how families like yours, can engage with and get to know families like mine, our communities and our authentic African foods and culture,” Oumar continued.
