Our fruit bunnies use organic tapioca syrup that comes from the tapioca plant, also known as cassava or yuca. The tapioca we use is grown by many small-scale, organic farmers in Thailand who work with an actively engaged local Thai company that provides on-going training through an education center, thus facilitating better organic farming practices. For example, farmers learn about compost and fertilizer techniques to improve soil health, which enables more nutritious and productive tapioca crops. In 2010, a few folks from Annie’s visited Thailand to meet with the farmers. Here, Amnuay demonstrates how the tapioca plant thrives in organic soils.

“When we visited the farms, I was most impressed by our supplier’s commitment to use tapioca as a means to get farmers to improve their soil and on the path to greater economic viability. Because tapioca is so easy to grow – from the simple use of a stalk to propagate new plants to its ability to grow in poor soils – farmers can enter into the commercial market with very little difficulty. Over time as they build their soils, they can diversify to other crops that bring them greater value and thus more income. Through organic farming, they’re improving their environment and people’s lives. This is a truly powerful impact!”

– Bob Kaake, VP of Innovation at Annie’s