The fair was held outside the processing plant that Camanchaca Cultivos Sur has in Rauco, Chonchi Commune.
Photo: Camanchaca.
As we were told last year, during Christmas, Camanchaca turns to its communities. Musicals, carol choirs, light shows -including the lighting of the local Christmas tree-, Christmas caravans with floats or fairs of local entrepreneurs, are just some examples of these traditions for which the company provides infrastructure, logistics or products, as required by each initiative.
As part of these Christmas celebrations and as part of its commitment to local development too, this year Camanchaca Cultivos Sur (Camanchaca Farming South) organized, together with neighbors and the Antilko indigenous community, the first edition of the 'Christmas Fair of Entrepreneurs' outside its processing plant located in Rauco, in the Chonchi Commune, in the Province of Chiloé, Los Lagos Region, in the southern part of Chile.
There, more than a dozen local entrepreneurs offered handicrafts, gourmet products, local gastronomy, fresh garden produce and handmade looms. Each stand reflected creativity, dedication and the cultural richness of the area and, for two days, the economy and community ties between neighbors, the Antilko indigenous community and the company itself were strengthened.
The 'Christmas Fair of Entrepreneurs' in Rauco enhanced the Christmas spirit with Chiloé identity.
For two days, the event was a cultural and gastronomic exchange point that brought together people of all ages.
Local artisans were able to showcase their products to Camanchada employees and the community.
The fair was a meeting point for the workers of the Camanchaca Cultivos Sur processing plant, their families and neighbors.
"We seek to be a bridge between local entrepreneurs and our community. These actions not only promote fair trade, but also strengthen ties with our environment, energizing the local economy of the sector, being a success in participation and collaboration," said Rafael Ortega, regional manager of Camanchaca Cultivos Sur, about the initiative, adding that they hope to repeat it in 2025.
Ximena Torres, entrepreneur of 'Creando desde El Sur' ('Creating from the South'), commented how important this fair was because it allowed her to make her products known among her neighbors. "This is how the company and my neighbors know me," she said. For her part, Yesica Vera, collaborator of Cultivos Sur and also an exhibitor, pointed out that "it is a good opportunity to present our products and for people to have something special to give as a gift."
In the same vein spoke Alex Peña, who works as a security guard at Camanchaca. He commented that he bought his Christmas gifts at the fair because "everything is beautiful, the food is exquisite, so I left very satisfied."
Therefore, the fair was also a meeting place for the processing plant employees, their families and neighbors, becoming, as said, a point of cultural and gastronomic exchange that enhanced the Christmas spirit with Chiloé identity.
After the success of this first fair, Camanchaca thanked both the entrepreneurs and the community for their participation, and reaffirmed its commitment to continue promoting activities that generate positive impact and contribute to the sustainable development of the localities where it is present.