Artisan Tropic

Direct

• Ensuring equal opportunities and reducing inequalities of income: Colnatu has established sustainable value chains that improve the livelihoods of farmers by integrating regenerative agricultural practices, ensuring fair market access, and promoting environmental stewardship. This approach is further developed by the partnership established, in April of this year, with Acceso. A pioneering social business builder whose mission is to create fundamental and lasting economic change in the lives of rural smallholder farming families. 
• Key Elements of the Partnership:
  • Seed-to-Market Model: Implementation of a proven model that supports smallholder farmers with technical assistance, post-harvest support, and guaranteed market access—ensuring dignity-driven participation in formal markets.
  • Fair Pricing & Stability: Farmers receive fair and stable prices, with transparent negotiations and shared commitments to long-term purchasing.
  • Joint Impact Monitoring: Definition of shared impact metrics (e.g., income improvement, hectares under regenerative transition) for internal reporting and to share with partners and financiers.
  • Field-to-Facility Traceability: Every harvest is tracked from field collection points to the processing facilities.
  • Approximately 400 smallholder farmers will benefit from the increased purchasing volume induced by this investment – due to the scaling up of operations.
• Promotion of sustainable and resilient food production systems: While Colnatu is not yet certified for it, it has already implemented regenerative agriculture practices in the 95 hectares managed by the partnered farmers. The estimates show that since 2017 with these practices in place, Colnatu has been able to capture approximately 82 metric tons of CO₂ and remove approximately 18,000 litres of chemical inputs associated with synthetic fertilizer. To ensure the effective application of regenerative agriculture, Colnatu partnered with Terra Genesis, an international firm specializing in the design of regenerative systems. Terra Genesis operates at the intersection of agriculture, ecology, and business, supporting individuals and organizations in driving innovation.
• Creating awareness for more sustainable consumption habits: Colnatu is committed to demonstrating that healthy, sustainably produced snacks have a rightful place in today’s market. The company specializes in plantain and cassava strips and crackers, crafted with a strong focus on using natural ingredients from sustainable sources. Colnatu's dedication to health and sustainability is reflected in the numerous certifications its products have earned, including the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the USDA Organic Certification, among others.
• Promotion of fair work opportunities in underserved Colombian communities: Since it’s creation Colnatu has already created 346 jobs in an underserved Colombian community. The business expansion that this investment will promote, is expected to create up to 12 new full-time roles across peeling and processing facility, with hiring prioritized to be women from surrounding communities. 

Indirect

• Community engagement and support: Established in 2014 by Artisan Tropic, Loves Bloom serves as the organization’s nonprofit branch dedicated to the development of community programs. Its primary objective is to enhance the impact made within the communities it serves. Since its inception, Loves Bloom has supported initiatives in the areas of food, health, education, and sports.

Artisan Tropic is a family-owned company founded in 2014. Based on its Colombian heritage, the company focuses on producing plantain and cassava-based snacks using ingredients sourced through long-term partnerships with smallholder farmers.

Artisan Tropic is the consumer-facing brand of a vertically integrated supply chain managed by the Guzman family. Operations in Colombia are led by Grupo Colnatu S.A.S., which oversees sourcing, processing, and export. Artisan Tropic LLC, based in the U.S., handles distribution and brand development. Both companies are part of the AT Food Group Inc. holding structure, which enables full control from farm to shelf.

The company operates across Colombia and the United States, where it has established a presence in the natural snack market. Artisan Tropic’s product range includes plantain and yuca chips, as well as organic, gluten-free crackers. Their products are certified under standards such as Gluten-Free, Seed Oil Free, Paleo, USDA Organic (applies only to Crackers), Non-GMO Project Verified (applies only to Strips), Glyphosate Residue Free, and Kosher.

Since its founding, Artisan Tropic has contributed to job creation and community development in Colombia. The company reports having supported over 340 direct and indirect jobs and invested in local initiatives such as meal distribution, youth sports programs, scholarships, and infrastructure improvements.

In collaboration with its sourcing partner Acceso, Artisan Tropic focuses on promoting regenerative agricultural practices. These efforts currently cover 95 hectares of farmland and aim to reduce chemical inputs and improve soil health.