b'The bicyclewas and is our main means of transport.It allows us to save money, exercise andbe respectful withthe environment.KAREN SALCEDO Ecuador recruited energetic young people like Salcedo and other members of La Changa to manage the process.The bicycle was and is our main means of transport, Salcedo said. It allows us to save money, exercise and TOPAfter a national lockdown took placebe respectful with the environment. In Quito, Susanato curb the spread of COVID-19, QuitosOnce La Changa decided to be part of Guasque (left) and others putmayor contacted Heifer Ecuador. Withthe delivery, Heifer Ecuador supported together basketspublic transportation systems at athe group with seed capital, training, of food that will be delivered tostandstill and families staying at home,bicycle trailers and personal protective customers. access to food became a challenge,equipment.RIGHT especially for those with few resources. This economic activity has allowed Heifer EcuadorHe said, we know you work withus to sustain ourselves collectively and provides personalproducers, we need your help to supportindividually, as the pandemic caused protective equipment andvulnerable populations. And we needmany people to lose their jobs, Salcedo bicycle trailers toto keep people at home, said Rosasaid. Income from deliveries is pooled, groups in Quito soRodriguez, director of Heifer Ecuador.with 80% distributed equally among they can deliver fresh food safelyRodriguezs team and the groups ofthose who worked and 20% kept in a and efficiently.farmers they work with quickly putgroup fund.their heads together to come up withThat fund, as well as the initial support a system that is affordable for nearlyHeifer Ecuador provided, is allowing the every family and safe for everyone. group to start its own bicycle messenger The process, which is a part of theservice called Chasqui Pedal. We dont Future of Food program, starts in thehave many orders yet, but were still in rural communities outside of Quito everythe promotional stage, Salcedo said.Wednesday, when farmers harvest freshEvery Thursday, though, is reserved produce from their farms. Early Thursdayfor Heifers food deliveries. Starting morning, the products are delivered toat 7 a.m., Salcedo delivers baskets one of eight collection centers, wherecomprised of 20 different products, they are checked for quality and packedfrom fruits and vegetables to cereals for shipping to families in the capital.to honey. At $17 each, the baskets are The food is transported into the city inset at an intentionally low price point vehicles that are regularly cleaned andto reach more consumers, especially sprayed to avoid contamination. Tothose surviving on meager incomes. In complete the delivery process, HeiferEcuador, the delivery service is the only 22| SPRING 2021'