Most of us desire to be healthier and many of us are concerned for the future of our planet. These simple premises have been the prime motivators for the global boom in environmentally responsible businesses, especially in the wealthiest western nations.
Regrettably, demand for eco-friendly, ethically-sourced and fair-traded products took off slowly in Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s most affluent urban conurbations. The city’s first “eco-store” opened in 1996 and had an uncertain start to life, moving premises repeatedly in its first six years.
Despite the early struggles, the Ecotienda’s backers refused to throw in the towel and eventually found a permanent and comfortable home on Calle Morelos in Colonia Americana, where a loyal client base has built up over the past nine years.
The possibility of expanding to other parts of Guadalajara had always been a “longterm plan,” says Ecotienda manager and partner Eugenio Galindo Villa Otero.
Last week, this idea became a reality as the city’s second Ecotienda opened on Avenida Niño Obrero, close to the Lazaro Cardenas thoroughfare and an imposing array of neighboring edifices that number among them the Hotel Camino Real, the Gran Plaza shopping mall, the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce and the Hospital Real San Jose.“We know that the market for organic and biodegradable products is growing not just because we are seeing more customers at our Morelos store but through the huge interest generated on social networking sites,” says Galindo, a Tapatio who studied international business in his hometown.
And it’s not just the over-40, nonconformist, health-conscious client Ecotienda is looking to attract at its new location.
“Young people, even in their early 20s, are more concerned than ever about their lifestyles,” Galindo says. As Guadalajara’s youth takes up the causes of urban mobility, animal rights and global warming, he says there will be an “inevitable trending” toward “green” purchasing.
A problem for wooing the younger market is that the pockets of customers of organic products still have to be fairly deep. But for those who can afford the extra cost, the shelves of the spotless Ecotienda on Niño Obrero are amply stocked with a generous variety of organic foodstuffs and naturally produced or biodegradable products.
Galindo says “canasta basica” products form the bulk of his business’ sales. This basic “basket of products” comprises organic fruit and vegetables, eggs, milk, other dairy products, bread, tortillas, as well as general cleaning and personal care items such as detergents, washing up liquid, soap and shampoos. You can also browse dozens of other organic options (more than 300 in total), including juices, tequila, wine, coffee, tea, potato chips, honey, jam, peanut butter, salt, soya beans, rice, pastas, nuts, candies, botanas, etcetera.
Ecotienda also offers some organic meats and a range of vegetarian meat options, including veggie sausages, meatballs, gluten products and mushroom burgers. Galindo acknowledges that the selection is somewhat limited compared to other countries and rues the fact that being a vegetarian in Mexico “can be hard if you don’t like to cook.”
More than 80 percent of the products of sale at Ecotienda are Mexican, and many suppliers are locally based – important, according to Galindo, as accessible local food and farming operations (without the need for excessive transportation) are the cornerstones of a more sustainable community. Of the imported options, stand out items include a tasty mature organic Monterrey Jack cheese, a range of Lagona skin care products and – an unusual item – dog food.
Nowadays Galindo doesn’t have to scour the country to find new products – most find their way to the store. However, he says despite the sharp increase in organic farming in recent years, many Mexican producers prefer to bypass (or treat as an afterthought) the domestic market and maximize profits by exporting their goods. He cites the example of Chicza – biodegradable rainforest chewing gum from Chetumal, Quintana Roo – which has been certified in United Kingdom and is distributed throughout the world from there. Ecotienda is one of the few Mexican outlets to stock the novelty chicle which has obtained plenty of international publicity of late.
All the products sold at the Ecotienda should have official organic certification. However, Ecotienda will thoroughly vet the smaller producers – around 20 percent of the total – that have yet to obtain certification, Galindo says.
While Ecotienda concentrates on organic foods and biodegrade products, Galindo says he would be keen to stock other environmentally friendly products, that might range from items made from recycled materials or products that have carbon neutral benefits in some way. Ecotienda currently stocks organic cotton cloth menstrual pads, and in the past has sold cloth diapers, as well as water-saving shower heads.
Ecotienda, Niño Obrero 292A, Colonia Camino Real. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Telephone: (33) 1188-2299. Website: www.ecotiendagdl.com. Facebook: Ecotienda de Guadalajara.