

It all starts on the Amazon River
Nativo buys its açaí from five pre-approved co-ops, which consist of groups of local farmers who harvest and sell açaí to various domestic and international açaí producers. These co-ops were selected to work with Nativo because of their strict adherence to governmental regulations that pertain to the collection of açaí in the Rainforest.
Governmental regulations stipulate that açaí must be picked from the tops of the palms and strictly prohibits the gathering of açaí fruit from the ground, because açaí on the forest floor is more likely to be rotted and/or contaminated with animal/insect feces, which could result in serious illness when ingested by humans. Spotting oxidized or rotting açaí is fairly easy, as it changes in color from dark purple to brown and has a very distinct and unpleasant sour taste
Açaí must be processed and frozen within 24 hours of harvest, otherwise it begins to ferment. The faster açaí gets from harvest to freezing, the more nutrients and taste it will retain. The açaí is received within 6-8 hours of harvest. It takes another 4-6 hours to process and freeze the fruit, which means that the total time Nativo requires from harvest to freezing is just 10-12 hours. This quick production ensures that Nativo açaí is the freshest possible.
It’s all about quality
Nativo buys its açaí from pre-approved Nativo co-ops. These co-ops work with Nativo because of their strict adherence to governmental regulations that pertain to the collection of açaí in the Rainforest.
Açaí must be picked from the tops of the palms and strictly prohibits the gathering of açaí fruit from the ground to insure quality and safety. To gather the fruit, farmers scale a palm and proceed to cut the branches bearing açaí fruit. They jump from palm to palm, harvesting these branches, which fall to the ground after they are cut.
Nativo farmers spread a large piece of plastic on the forest floor between the trees they climb so that the falling açaí does not touch the ground. The açaí berries are then stripped off the branches and into baskets and sorted. Farmers dispose of any poor quality fruit and carry the baskets full of quality fruit to boats that transport them to a port where the açaí is picked up by truck and brought to the production facility.
All boats and trucks that transport açaí are required to have a covered compartment to keep the fruit from direct contact with the sun, because such contact can speed up oxidization and rotting.
Fresh, nutritious, and RAW!
Açaí must be processed and frozen within 24 hours of harvest, otherwise it begins to ferment. The faster açaí gets from harvest to freezing, the more nutrients and taste it will retain. The açaí is received within 6-8 hours of harvest. It takes another 4-6 hours to process and freeze the fruit, which means that the total time Nativo requires from harvest to freezing is just 10-12 hours. This quick production ensures that Nativo açaí is the freshest possible.
When açaí arrives at the facility, it follows a standardized process developed to maximize health and safety and minimize production time, which ensures the highest quality açaí possible. This process is mandated and highly regulated by the Brazilian government, Ministry of Agriculture, Sindifrutas (Union of the Industries of Fruits and Derivates of the State of Para).
Health inspectors visit production facilities quarterly to ensure strict adherence to governmental guidelines and regulations. All açaí producers are required to adhere to this process without exception.