The School of Nutrition and Dietetics, in partnership with Corambiente, played a prominent role in the “Third Native Seed Exchange,” organized by Ecojardines BIO S.A.S., as part of efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at preserving the region’s food heritage.
The event, held on Saturday, March 21, at the National Parks building, was made possible thanks to an invitation from Juan Eusebio Olaya, manager of Ecojardines BIO S.A.S., and featured the participation of the Laboratory of Food and Nutritional Education and Communication (LECAN), represented by Professor Ana Paola Mora Vergara, accompanied by Professor Edna Magaly Gamboa as the internship advisor, along with the student interns, Daniela Marino and Yohan Adrián Ruiz. Representing Corambiente were Ricardo Meneses and student intern Jorge Armando Noriega.
The event established itself as a forum for the exchange of knowledge. Professor Mora Vergara gave a presentation on the nutritional value and agroecological importance of native corn and beans from Santander, emphasizing the urgent need to revive these crops as pillars of biodiversity and food sustainability in the department. This discussion was complemented by a presentation from Ricardo Meneses, representing Corambiente, who delved into the challenges and opportunities posed by the agri-food transition in the region, and that of Jorge Armando Noriega, who presented “Vitabalú,” a nutritional supplement made from local raw materials and peasant knowledge, highlighting its nutritional value and its role in the recovery of food sovereignty and regional gastronomic identity.
The event included a tasting experience that highlighted the versatility and gastronomic potential of indigenous foods such as chachafruto and native corn, demonstrating the connection between tradition, nutrition, and cuisine. For the participating institutions, this event reaffirms the importance of recognizing and promoting native seeds as the foundation for building more sustainable and healthy food systems.
