Taste and use

That's what makes these wild fennel seeds from Sicily so special:

• Taste: Wild fennel tastes slightly of aniseed and is even more aromatic than normal fennel seeds.
• Quality features: It grows on the edge of the organic herb gardens of the L'Arcolaio cooperative. The seeds are collected by hand in the fall and gently dried.
• Use: As an ingredient in a typical Sicilian tomato sauce, as a wholesome addition to bread or to refine root vegetables or cabbage dishes. The seeds can also be used to make a very aromatic tea.

Cultivation and ecology

This is how wild fennel grows:

• Cultivation method: Organic farming. Grows wild on the edges of fields and thus increases biodiversity.
• Producers: The L'Arcolaio cooperative offers migrants and ex-prisoners the opportunity of legal employment in food processing. Together with migrants and ex-prisoners, the social entrepreneurs grow various herbs and vegetables on several hectares. By processing almonds in the Siracusa prison and growing herbs in the Monti Iblei, L'Arcolaio creates regular jobs in agriculture and food processing. The cooperative is thus breaking the vicious circle of organized crime in which many young people and migrants are trapped. Here you will find a blog entry about a visit to L'Arcolaio.

This is how the price is made up

Cultivation & processing CHF 5.31

• Cultivation and harvesting: Cooperativa Sociale L'Arcolaio
• Processing: Cooperativa Sociale L'Arcolaio

Transport & logistics CHF 3.23

• Export and logistics: Valdibella, Galliker
• Fees: Customs
• Quality assurance: SQTS laboratory
• Packaging: Zurich plant
• Shipping: Post

Procurement & distribution CHF 3.16

• Coordination, communication, online market: Crowd Container