BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD

We were able to take a trip thru the food basket of Ecuador.It was a wet and rainy day, but this did not stop a bus load of intrepid adventures from experiancing where the marvelous food seen in the beautiful markets of Cuenca comes from.

The bus ride travelled through the ruggedly beautiful Ecuadorian countryside only about 45mins from Cuenca.  We were transported to another world. Here people have farmed for centuries with very little change. The mountains rise very steeply on both sides of the road. This makes for a very difficult but seemingly very happy lifestyle.

We visited 5 different farms growing all kinds of vegetables ALL ORGANIC. They guarantee 200% organic. How you might ask. Well they use only the most experienced and honest food inspectors,
                                                         
                                                                 " FROGS"

Frogs are very sensitive to their environment, so any chemical pesticide used will destroy them. There are loads of frogs living in the "San Joaquin" area where the farms are located.

This very proud lady is describing her farming technique

 Their farming plots are very small, but they are able to produce an incredible amount of food

                    These are called "tree tomatoes" and produce the most delicious juice

 Several crops growing together

Can you see them all?

                                                      Tall plants in rear are Brussel Sprouts

. I had never seen sprouts growing before.
     
           They are soooo delicious

                   BEETS

           They are to die for

We then climbed this very steep, muddy and slippery slope to see the 'Chicken Hotel"

You really can't tell from the picture just how steep this walk was







Can you imagine doing this everyday

HE DOES

THIS IS HIS WIFE MARIE

   Happy, free roaming chickens.


We ordered one. Very little fat and soooo juicy
                       




                 

                                                           Then we had to come back down

                                           
                                                          It wasn't easy.------- I slipped twice

                             My precious wife, Sharyl,  had the wisest  idea and waited on the bus

         The compost pile. The farmers recycle everything and use the compost to fertilize their fields

             
                                                             The bountiful harvest.
                                 We purchased $4.50 worth. It filled a bag I could hardly carry

Everyone gathered in their store to pick out the very very fresh and tasty veggies they wanted 

A family of farmers, Mom,Dad, Two brothers, and daughter-in-law

There are 25 families who have joined together to form a cooperative , APAY. We were given a price list from which we could order via e-mail on Sunday and Wednesday to be delivered Tuesdays and Fridays--free of change.

The food was cleaned and so gorgeous looking, I made a green salad right away  

Best food in the world. This was ordered and delivered to us fresh and clean all for $9.25 

 it will last us for more than the week The carrots and beets are the best tasting I have ever had 

We have three kids of lettuce, spinach, three kinds of cabbage, radishes,carrots, beets,parsley,swiss chard,tomatoes cauliflower, and brocolli