Question 1

What is Fiber Foods?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods is an impact-first company that develops value chains that create economic, social, and sustainable value for all stakeholders. The companies first value chain is jackfruit, resulting in a market ready product for the European market: dehydrated young jackfruit. Next to this Fiber Foods aims to develop more market-driven value chains together with partners and offers services to assist partners in developing value chains, including product development and traceability support.

Question 2

What is the mission of Fiber Foods?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods drives economic and social impact in Africa. We do so by developing value chains whereby the produce is locally sourced and value is added by processing the products within East Africa. For our dehydrated jackfruit value chain, we locally source and process 100% plant-based fibers for the international food industry who want to develop vegetarian and vegan products.

Question 3

How did Fiber Foods come to be?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods is an off-spring of "The Business Lab", an accelerator program developed by Ineke Aquarius and Inez van Oord, closely with the Netherlands Embassy in Kampala. The programme was running from 2019-2023. The aim was to create a scalable gender and environmentally friendly value chain together with the market. The dehydrated jackfruit product was developed under technical guidance of Team Tastemakers, in co-creation with our Ugandan processing and sourcing partners:

- Zahra Food Industries Ltd
 - Busaino Fruits
 - Afyasili Fruits
 - Africycle
 - Jakana Foods
 - Flona
 - Enimiro

This led to the establishment of Fiber Foods in the Netherlands in 2021, who introduced this African innovation to the European market. 
The company Fiber Foods was created to address the growing demand for sustainable and plant-based food options, while also creating economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and small and medium enterprises in East Africa. By working closely with local farmers and using sustainable production methods, Fiber Foods aims to create positive social and environmental impact while providing high-quality products for consumers around the world.

Question 4

Who are in the team of Fiber Foods?

Accepted Answer

In East Africa there are 16 staff members working on the value chains.. In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a team of four a focusing mostly on sales and marketing. Next to this we are supported by a dedicated group of freelancers. Together our team has:

Relevant areas of expertise
 Diverse backgrounds and ages
 Various nationalities
 Local experience in East Africa and Europe
 Local presence in East Africa and Europe
https://www.fiberfoodsgroup.com/ourcompany

Question 5

What kind of services is Fiber Foods offering to other partners / companies?

Accepted Answer

At Fiber Foods, we've been on an adventure of our own, learning the ins and outs of building sustainable and inclusive value chains. We've had our fair share of victories and setbacks, from navigating complex supply chains to developing innovative products that meet the demands of international markets.  But through it all, we've gained invaluable experience and knowledge that we're excited to share with other organizations looking to make a positive impact. Our services are designed to help others embark on their own adventure without having to face all the same challenges and obstacles we did.  We want to help other NGOs and private businesses select inclusive and sustainable value chains, develop sourcing strategies that empower smallholder farmers, create innovative value-added opportunities, and more. With our support, organizations can implement traceability systems that ensure transparency from farm to fork, access international markets, and build sustainable networks of like-minded businesses.  So let Fiber Foods be your guide on this adventure towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. We've already gone through the learning curve, and now we're ready to help you shorten yours.

Question 6

Who are the founding fathers and mothers of our Dehydrated Jackfruit?

Accepted Answer

Uganda:  Fiber Foods - Zahra Food Industries Ltd - Busaino - Afyasili Fruits - Africycle - Jakana Foods - Flona - Enimiro.

Netherlands: Team Tastemakers

Question 7

How is Fiber Foods working with smallholder farmers in East Africa?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods is committed to promoting sustainable economic development in East Africa. The company works closely with smallholder farmers to source young jackfruit for their products. By partnering with these farmers, Fiber Foods is creating economic opportunities for local communities and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

Question 8

What do we offer our smallholder farmers?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to a long-term partnership in which we work together with a dedicated group of farmers over the years. Hereby we prioritise the sustainable growth of the jackfruit tree and consider the food security of the family.

Question 9

How to make sure we pay a fair price to our smallholder farmers?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods is committed to creating economic value for all stakeholders, including smallholder farmers in East Africa. Our direct partners source the young jackfruit from smallholder farmers, paying them fair prices for their fruits that reflect the true value of the product. In addition, Fiber Foods provides training and support to farmers to help them improve their production methods and increase their yields. This helps to create a more sustainable and profitable value chain for everyone involved. By prioritising fair pricing and ethical business practices, Fiber Foods is helping to build a more equitable and sustainable agribusiness sector in Uganda.

Question 10

What do we offer our processors?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to a long-term partnership in which we work together to deliver quality products and increase employment opportunities. We co-create innovations, strategies, unlock possibilities for finance and establish the buying market.

Question 11

What do we offer our clients?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods is a committed long-term partner that innovates and supports the development of plant-based solutions for the vegetarian and vegan market by unlocking the best clean plant-based fibers from Africa with a proven social impact story.

Question 12

What is jackfruit?

Accepted Answer

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia but also grows in East Africa. It is It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world and can weigh up to 100 pounds. Jackfruit is known for its sweet, fruity aroma and a flavour that is often compared to a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple.
 The fruit is commonly eaten when it is ripe and sweet. However in recent years, unripe jackfruit has gained popularity as a meat alternative for vegetarians and vegans, as it has a similar texture to meat and can absorb flavours well, making it a versatile ingredient in many dishes.

Question 13

What is young jackfruit?

Accepted Answer

Young jackfruit is the unripe or "green" version of the jackfruit. It is becoming increasingly popular as a meat alternative in Europe due to its meaty texture. In our case we dehydrate the jackfruit and therefore has a big ability to absorb flavours and spices when it is rehydrated.

Question 14

What does young jackfruit look like?

Accepted Answer

The young jackfruit is typically harvested when it is still green and immature, before it has had a chance to ripen and develop its fruits, seeds and characteristic sweet flavour. Young jackfruit has a spiky green exterior and ranges up to 3 kgs. The flesh of young jackfruit is pale yellow and has a fiberous texture that is often compared to pulled pork or chicken.

Question 15

How does Fiber Foods contribute to sustainable economic development in East Africa?

Accepted Answer

By working with over 1500 smallholder farmers to source young jackfruit, Fiber Foods is creating economic opportunities for local communities. Additionally, by processing the jackfruits within East Africa we add economic value to the products and thereby East African enterprises and countries.

Moreover, the company is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture practices and reducing the environmental impact of food production. Overall, Fiber Foods' mission is to create economic, social, and sustainable value for all stakeholders.

Question 16

What are the benefits of using young jackfruit as a meat alternative?

Accepted Answer

Young jackfruit offers a range of benefits as a meat alternative. It has a fibrous meaty texture that is similar to pulled pork or chicken, making it a popular choice for vegans and vegetarians. Our dehydrated version absorb flavours very well, making it a versatile ingredient in many dishes.  Additionally, it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option, as it requires less water and other resources to produce compared to meat.

Question 17

What are some nutritional benefits of young jackfruit?

Accepted Answer

Young jackfruit is low in calories and fat, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy diet. It is also a great source of fibers. Additionally, young jackfruit contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can promote overall health and wellbeing.

Question 18

Is young jackfruit a suitable option for those with dietary restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Young jackfruit is low in fat and calories, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy diet. Furthermore it is gluten and lactose free which is good if people are intolerant for it. However, it is important to note that some people may be allergic to jackfruit, and those with latex allergies should avoid consuming it.

Question 19

What are some traditional uses for young jackfruit?

Accepted Answer

In its native regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia and some countries in Africa, young jackfruit has been used for centuries as a food source. It is often used in curries, stews, and other savory dishes. In addition to its use as a food source, young jackfruit has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a range of ailments.

Question 20

Why is there a growing demand for sustainable and plant-based food options?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons for the growing demand for sustainable and plant-based food options. First, there is increasing concern about the environmental impact of animal agriculture, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution.

Plant-based diets have been shown to have a lower carbon footprint and require less land, water, and energy than animal-based diets. Second, there is growing awareness about the health benefits of plant-based diets, which have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Finally, there is a growing ethical concern about the treatment of animals in industrial farming operations, which has led many consumers to seek out alternatives to animal-based products. By providing sustainable and plant-based food options, companies like Fiber Foods are helping to address these concerns and meet the changing demands of consumers around the world.

Question 21

What is the market for young dehydrated jackfruit?

Accepted Answer

We focus our work on agricultural value chain development and the private sector in Africa. To do so we sell 100% plant-based fibers to vegetarian and vegan food companies around the world who are in need of natural solutions to accelerate a more plant-based diet.

Question 22

What makes Fiber Foods' young jackfruit unique?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods' young jackfruit is peeled, cut, and dehydrated directly after harvesting in East Africa. As we do not  can the jackfruit, the jackfruit is not being placed in brine but instead dehydrate it.

This allows the dehydrated jackfruit to maintain its natural neutral taste while reducing the transport footprint by almost 90%. Additionally, Fiber Foods offers its dehydrated young jackfruit product in a range of sizes and varieties, allowing chefs and food companies to create a wide range of plant-based dishes.

Question 23

How does Fiber Foods prepare their jackfruit for export?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods prepares their jackfruit by peeling, cutting, and dehydrating it directly after harvesting in East Africa.

The dehydrated jackfruit can then be ordered in different varieties and sizes depending on what product is being made. Examples of products we have available are  diced, chunks, shredded, fines, or powder forms.

Question 24

What are the benefits of dehydrated jackfruit for export?

Accepted Answer

Dehydrated jackfruit is a convenient and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It has a long shelf life, making it ideal for export to other countries. While rehydrating the jackfruit it will absorb flavours easily.

Question 25

How does Fiber Foods ensure that their jackfruit is sustainable and socially responsible?

Accepted Answer

Fiber Foods is an impact-first company that creates economic, social, and sustainable value for all stakeholders. They work closely with smallholder farmers in Uganda to ensure that their jackfruit is ethically and sustainably sourced.   By providing a market for young jackfruit, Fiber Foods helps to support local farmers and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Additionally, their dehydration process reduces the transport footprint of the jackfruit by almost 90%, making it a more environmentally friendly option compared to fresh produce.

YOUR FAQ