b'TOPone of its kindnaturally producedWe want the distribution of Food from ruralfood, direct from the producer. So far,agroecological baskets to increase in producers in Cotopaxi isSalcedo has delivered about 80 basketsorder to generate more sources of work collected andherself, but she has not been able tofor the residents in our sector, Salcedo prepared forkeep track of the number of kilometerssaid.transportation to Quito. she has covered. That is Heifer Ecuadors plan, as In Quito, there are many steepwell. So far, more than 10,000 baskets streets where you put your physique tohave been sold in the cities of Quito, the test, Salcedo said. When you putCuenca, Santa Elena and Machala, in that effort, you also understand theand Heifer Ecuador supports a similar importance of eating in a diverse andendeavor on Galapagos island of healthy way. Everything is linked toSan Cristobal. Overall, the deliveries When you each other: eating healthy, exercisinggenerate almost $70,000 a month. As and working in community. She addedlong as customer support stays strong, put in thatthat working with Heifer Ecuador isthe service will continue to grow.gratifying because it aligns with oneIn the south part of Quito, Salcedo effort, you alsoof La Changas basic principlesthesays customer support has been great. understand theright to eat healthy and valuing the workSome of our clients are people who made of farmers who harvest those foods. donations when the pandemic started, so importance ofTo help promote and sell products, thethey already know us and always support group is responsible for a Facebook page.us, she said. When we started with the eating in aThanks to Heifers support, we learned todeliveries in the neighboring sectors, the diverse andmanage that page and generate content,response was also good. Many people are and we continue to learn, Salcedo said.surprised and congratulate us when they healthy way.Members of the group also learnedsee us arriving by bicycle, because in about best business practices, accountQuito there are streets that not even carsKAREN SALCEDOmanagement and price adjustments. go up, but we do.n24| SPRING 2021'