At Runa, We Don't Actually Farm Guayusa

     In conversations, we occasionally hear some one introduce Runa by saying "and they employ 600 people on their farm in Ecuador." Pero No! We do not own any farmland and we do not employ farmers. Runa's model and social mission is to purchase guayusa at Fair Trade prices directly from independent family farms. We provide direct market access and technical assistance to farmers to sustainably plant, manage, and harvest guayusa. We empower farmers and provide new opportunities for their traditional products. In this way, we foster the local entrepreneurial spirit, build sustainable and transparent partnerships with the farmers, and proactively work together to break a long history of paternalism and exploitation that has negatively impacted these communities.

    We do, however, own and operate our own guayusa processing facility, where we receive fresh guayusa leaves, dry them, mill them, love them and pack them in 50 lb sacks for export. Our facility employs a total of 5 people, and we also employ an additional 20 people as managers, field technicians, researchers, and administrators, paying high wages and bonuses, providing health insurance, and offering educational opportunities. 

That's what we do! 

We pride ourselves on producing one of the world's only Small Farmer Teas (while yes, guayusa is not tea but actually a tisane ;) 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
 

Photos of guayusa farmers.