An initiative of

Andres Nuñez

La Virgen

Hi, I'm Andres Nuñez and I grow organic pineapples for Nature & More in Costa Rica. Our company is called Finca La Virgen, after the nearest village. Thank you for buying our fruit!

We are located in the valley next to Volcano Poas, an active volcano. This area is characterized by tropical cloud forests interlaced with streams and waterfalls. This region is ideal for organic pineapple production. With an average temperature of 23 degree Celsius and no extreme fluctuations, we could not be in a better location. With regular rainfalls throughout the year totaling more than 5 meters we have no need for irrigation. Our deep volcanic soils are also an important asset, particular as the top layer is of a sandy clay, which allows water to drain easily. This is very important when growing pineapple, because the root system is very susceptible to decay when waterlogged.

Finca La Virgen is part of Dole Organic. It was founded in 1991 and comprises of more than 1,200 hectares. About 700 hectares are primarily planted with pineapples and few papayas, which are laid out in geometric patterns throughout the valley. About 450 hectares are set aside as a conservation area and 30 hectares along the riverbanks have recently been re-forested with native trees. The aim is to set an example in sustainable agriculture by demonstrating that organic pineapple production can be applied on a commercial scale without compromising the local flora and fauna.

 

Interview with Andres Nuñez

N&M: Converting 700 hectares to organic is quite an ambitious undertaking. What motivated you to do so?
Andres Nuñez: The conversion process has taken 19 years and has been quite exciting. A lot of trial and error has been involved as we tried to apply organic principles and techniques on a large scale. It was not easy, but with the pineapple industry in Costa Rica having such a bad reputation of being accused of causing erosion, deforestation and the destruction of wildlife habitat, we wanted to demonstrate that pineapple can be grown successfully in a sustainable manner. 

N&M: We understand that the soil conditions and the climate in this part of Costa Rica are indeed in favor of organic agriculture.  What are your most serious challenges? 
Andres Nuñez Our greatest challenge is to make sure that our fields contain sufficient drainage ditches to make sure that any excess water can run off easily.  This is particularly important as we experience more freak weather conditions due to climate change. 

N&M: In addition to growing organic pineapple in a responsible manner La Virgen offers tourists to visit their farm. 

Andres NuñezYes, these tours have become increasingly popular.  Visitors have an opportunity to learn about the history of pineapple and see for themselves how we cultivate it in a sustainable manner.  For many it is the first time to taste ripe pineapple.  We also let them know how to select the best pineapple in their local store. For us these tours are important because they provide our workers with valuable feedback about the work they are doing and they meet the people who consume our fruit.  Consumers learn about the work involved in organic pineapple production and they appreciate what we are trying to achieve here.  Last year we had over 20,000 people visit our farm.  We trust that they purchase our fruit wherever they are and that they tell their friends about it too. 

Recent comments

  • 1 month 1 week ago

    Your pineapple brightens the dark Irish winter!

  • 1 month 1 week ago

    We are grateful for your hard work. Sadly, the two pineapples from Nature and More that I bought from Denns in Germany were hard and underripe, not juicy and had no taste. We hope they will sell ripe pineapples in the future.

You are here

1 Cent for the future

I’d like to thank you because besides providing you with a beautiful tropical fruit, your purchase is also contributing to the construction and support of a community center that benefits our employees. At the center they are enabled to do sports, work with computers and develop new skills which help them in both at work and at home. Through the Nature & More 1 cent for the future project you are directly supporting the center. That’s why you, the consumer, have our deepest appreciation. Muchas Gracias and Pura Vida (Pure Life)! Andres.

 

What am I growing?

Geolocation is 9.234797, -83.59346800000003

Sustainability flower

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Where to find?

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Comments

j'ai déjà acheté 4 de vos ananas ils sont très très bons c'est un bonheur . Votre culture bio de ce fruit et votre respect de l'environnement ainsi que les mesures déjà prises font de votre exploitation un exemple à suivre . Toutes mes félicitations et beaucoup de réussites dans votre futur économique

Thank you so much for your hard work an love, i can taste it in every single bite!
I Love nature and i am myself organising my life to go back to nature and be part of the revolution.
I cannot thank you enough for your work if only there were more like you.
I hope they keep coming because ill keep eating ahaha.
Food like this is not only so tasty but also the true medicine as Hippocrates once said.
I cannot imagine how fulfilling it must be to make a living while making others healthier and happy!

Enjoy the ride my Friend!
Pedro Raposo

Not being such a great lover of pineapple but nevertheless decided to buy one whilst being on a diet and condemned to certain fruits. This was the best decision ever! Never tasted pineapple like this. What a great taste, so sweet and juicy! What a difference to the pineapples from the supermarket!! So glad I discovered this fruit from the Garden of Eden!!
Keep up the good work!!

Warmest regards,

Martine

Exquisita!! Muchas gracias por su piña tan rica, vino en mi caja de fruta y verdura organica y me ha parecido increible ver de donde viene y escucharle contar la historia. Es un honor poder disfrutar de su deliciosa fruta! Gracias mil.

GREAT PRODUCT - GREAT TASTE - GREAT PEOPLE. HOPE THERE IS A CHANCE THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL SAVE OUR PLANET BECAUSE THINGS ARE GOING VERY BAD. GOD BLESS YOU.

Country: 
UK

The pineapple which I ordered with my organic fruit & veg delivery is exquisite. It is the most delicious pineapple I have ever eaten. It is sweet and juicy. I ate half in one sitting and restrained myself from finishing it all in one go. Love the stories about your farm. Thanks very much.

Country: 
Denmark

Loved the heavenly taste which turned a rainy thursday into a day of joy for body and soul. Thank you very much.

Country: 
Ireland

Just to let you know I bought one of your pineapples in organic shop in Dundrum, Dublin, Ireland. It was delicious , the best ever. Thank you for growing & supplying the best food ever.

Country: 
France

We are eating one or your pineapple. Thank you. Il est très très bon. Du soleil dans notre ciel gris d'automne. Muchas gracias

Country: 
belgium

tx for the pineapple

Country: 
Germany

ty for the pineapple and thank you for growing organic.

Country: 
Germany

Very good! Keep on!

Country: 
Sweden

Thank you for this wonderful Pineapples. I just had one and it was amazingly good.

Country: 
FRANCE

Délicieux !!!Maravilloso este gusto !Comprare otra vez una piña de usted et sigue esta vista de la cultura para que el mundo sea mejor.

Country: 
Germany, Munich

Thank you for the excellent pineapple we enjoyed for breakfast

Country: 
Denmark

Those pineapples are one of the most delicious fruits I have ever eaten; surpasses non-organic pineapples by far, not to mention can pineapple. I am very delighted to support the environment and the good people of Costa Rica

Country: 
Australia

Is it ananas or anenas? And very good pineapples

Country: 
NL

dit is een test commentaar

Country: 
Diezelfde nl

Dit is ook een testcommentaar

Country: 
Islandia

Su pinas esta super super rico ! Me encanto comerla y ver a su finca <3 Hace muchos anos estuvo en Costa Rica y comí frutas ricas. Hasta hoy no encontro nada tan rico como su pina. Muchas gracias y saludos de Islandia

Country: 
France

No sabemos cortar la piña como en la Video pero la comemos con mucho gusto!
Gracias por este producto.
Axel

Country: 
germany

really great product, sweet and very tasty

Country: 
Germany

excellent taste! it is a dream.
my favorite dessert: ananas with whipped cream!
Nice to see where it grows, the farm, the surrounding. It seems to be a wonderfull place.
congratulations for your good quality.

Country: 
France

Congrats for your wonderful pineapple !
It’s great to see the place where it grows !
Thank’s a lot for your efforts.

Country: 
Germany

Hi there,
thank you for your hard work. My little children and I enjoyed this pineapple very much. It was great to see where it was grown and all the people who care for the world we all share. Thank you!

Country: 
Irlanda

Los descubrí hace pocas semanas, estaba buscando una tienda orgánica aquí en Dublín, Irlanda,vy vi las piñas....no lo dude, y aquí sigo, disfrutando de sus deliciosas piñas. Gracias por el gran trabajo.

Country: 
London, England

Thank you so much for all your hard work, and commitment, as well as for a very high quality product (bought through Abel&Cole, UK). I really appreciate also all the information on your website. I think many food buyers globally are unaware of the rationales behind organic food and if these facts and I sights were more readily available, many more would switch to organic, where possible. Climate change is now recognised as a near term "code red" threat to humanity : I hope you are able to withstand the deteriorating weather (eg more violent hurricanes) - perhaps you could add a note to your site on how you are dealing with these challenges.

Thank you Timothy. Your appreciation means a lot to us. Lets continue our shared mission towards healthy food, a sustainable environment and social responsibility! 

Country: 
Austria

Hola! He probado una de vuestras pinas riquisimas, que he recibido en una bolsa de sorpresa TooGoodToGo y me encanta la posibilidad de leer y escuchar sobre como ha sido producida! Gracias!

Country: 
France

Un ananas véritablement délicieux, comme si on était servi at la Virgen Farm par Mr Nunez. Merci pour cette belle qualité, et je donne à mes petits enfants quand ils viennent me rendre visite et je suis heureuse de voir leur bonheur de croquer dans des fruits savoureux et bien sucrés naturellement, Muchas Gracias!

Country: 
France

Hi. We've eaten your pineapple for our New Year dinner, and it was very good. It a choice for is to buy organic food. Keep going feeding us with so marvelous fruits, and ongrats for your job. Happy New Year !

Thank you for the support! Let's make each year a organic and sustainable one :)

Country: 
Norway

Hey Andres, I got one of the pineapples, It's good (local best ofc)

I saw through the pictures, wnting to add that diviersity will bring more energy & flavour to the produce

For example having cherrytrees scttered around.. If you get plants wih th the entire color spectrum the symbiosis will strenghten the entire farm

Cactuses are great defense for the energies, resulting in a healthier, denser produce

Thank you! wishing yall veganic farmers happiness & strenght

Country: 
Austria

Hey dude, you grow some great pineapples! 100 Points!

Country: 
Germany

Hi Andres,
your pineapple was absolute delicious.
Thank you for that!
Wish u all the best
Max

Country: 
The Netherlands

Thank you! Delicious ananas and excellent for the environment! Keep up the excellent work!

Country: 
The Netherlands

Hello, its very cool that you give us a possibility to have a look at your farm! Your pineapples are delicious. All the best for your farm and all the people involved.

Country: 
France

Vos ananas sont délicieux, félicitations pour votre travail qui fait vivre dignement de nombreuses familles. Continuez ainsi !

Country: 
UK

Your pineapples are the best ever - just brilliant. Thank you for all the work you put into growing and harvesting them.

Country: 
Germany

Thank you for your nice pineapples,
I have never seen better pineapples than yours,
And thank you for giving us the possibility to have a look at your farm.

Country: 
Netherlands

Thanks a lot for growing your very fine pine apples.
Especially in the winter when there is only some citrus fruit from southern Europe the pine apples are very welcome.
I wish you and all workers all the best
Guido

Country: 
Sweden

Thank you for sharing us in "the north", with your wonderful fruits.

Country: 
Poland

Remove everything, that a theme does not concern.

Country: 
Slovakia

In it something is and it is excellent idea. It is ready to support you.

Country: 
Italy

Thank you for growing in a natural and sustainable way! Keep up the good work, greetings from Italy!

Country: 
Germany

Thank you for taking this huge step to change your pineapple production into an organic one!

We had one of your pineapples for breakfast today and it tasted so delicious - we will definitely buy again :-)

Keep up your great work in growing sustainable best tasting pineapples!

Greetings from Germany

Country: 
Дания

Спасибо.

Country: 
Germany

Hi Andres,
Just had one of your delicious pineapples for breakfast - the taste is overwhelming!
We greatly appreciate your work, you have accompished such a great deal. Thank you so much for what you are doing for the world!
Best regards from Germany.

Country: 
England

Thank you so much, for all you do for nature and for our enjoyment! This is the most delicious pineapple I have tasted, a deep, sweet and 'rich' flavour, great texture and wonderful to lean we are your customers too! (part of your tremendous project). (Abel & Cole delivery customer).

Country: 
England

Thank you for a delicious and ethical pineapple which came with our weekly box. The flavour and sweetness were the best we have eaten in such a long time. We are grateful for your organic farming.

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