The basket you hold in your hands is no ordinary product. It is one of a kind – and not just because of its shape, texture, or the material it’s made from, but because it holds a story of transformation, female leadership, and the creative use of what was once considered waste.
In Belén de Umbría, Colombia — a region known for its plantain production — a group of rural women decided to do something different. While in many plantations, the plantain trunk (technically known as the pseudostem) is either burned or left to rot, these women saw potential where others saw waste.
From these fibrous layers of the trunk– completely natural and biodegradable– they began to create something new: handcrafted products like this unique basket. With creativity, patience, and skill, these women — mothers, daughters, and wives of farmers — extract the fibers by hand, dry them in the sun, and shape them, transforming what was once agricultural waste into a functional, beautiful piece of art.
This movement didn’t happen overnight. It was brought together through the MUSARTE initiative, an agro-artisanal enterprise led by women from the ASPLABEL Association. Supported by the PepsiCo Foundation and ACDI/VOCA through the Weaving Dreams program, MUSARTE represents much more than a source of income: it’s a commitment to community development, environmental stewardship, and the empowerment of women in rural Colombia.
Today, the women of MUSARTE not only generate income without having to leave their homes – they also preserve traditional knowledge, promote a circular economy, and position Belén de Umbría as a growing hub for social innovation. With every product they create, they are weaving a future that is fairer, more conscious, and deeply rooted in respect for the land.
At GoodSAM, we believe that supporting initiatives like this creates real impact. It connects the origin of products with the people who choose them. We’re inspired by how communities like Belén de Umbría are transforming their environment with creativity, sustainability, and bold, grassroots leadership by women.
Because every action we take – every product we choose – can be a step toward meaningful change: for you, for your family, for the women behind this work, and for the planet we all share.
Supporting this basket means recognizing the power of local craftsmanship, the value of handmade goods, and the beauty of sustainable solutions born from the heart of rural Colombia. As a token of our appreciation, we’re offering you 20% off all of our products with promo code ORGANIC20.