Maria José didn't grow up in the countryside, but it was there that she found the life she wanted. After graduating in Management from the University of Coimbra and spending years in Lisbon, between offices and meetings, she decided to trade concrete for plants. Today she lives in the Alentejo region with her husband and two daughters, where she tends to a 10-hectare farm that is full of color and flavor.

For nine months of the year, from March to November, her fields give us sweet raspberries and strawberries that truly taste like summer. To achieve this almost continuous production, Maria José uses a crop rotation system, which allows each plot of land to rest and bear fruit again at the right time.

In the end, around 90 tons are harvested every year, and 15 people work with you on this adventure.

Trading city life for agriculture wasn't just a career change: it was a life choice. And anyone who tastes Maria José's produce quickly realizes it was the right choice. 🍓

They say every story needs a heroine, and ours is called Felismina Maria Rodrigues Espada, or, as we like to call her, the Carrot Queen. 👑🥕

It was in 1990 that she decided to found, with her husband, the Medrosas Agricultural Society. Since then, through sunny and rainy days, she has not stopped cultivating the land with an impressive energy.

Today they tend to nearly 30 hectares, where crisp carrots grow, onions that add soul to any stir-fry, golden corn, and potatoes full of flavor.

The farm is located in Pegões, just over an hour away. It's from there that the vegetables that arrive in your kitchen are sent every week. Fresh, local, and packed with nutrients—especially that vitamin A that Felismina masters like no one else.

Ultimately, each carrot tells the story of the person who planted it, and Felismina's carrot always reflects that dedication.

Craving something sweet? Cristina has you covered. 🍓 In 1993, alongside her husband João Carlos, she founded Moranguito Empresa Agrícola. Time passed, their children João Levi and Sofia Lúcia grew up and today are also part of this family adventure.

The farm doesn't just grow strawberries; it also produces raspberries and persimmons, with a production reaching 350 tons per year.

Cristina and her family's next challenge is clear: to further value biological resources to make production increasingly sustainable. Until then, they continue filling baskets and hearts with fruits that taste of care and dedication.

And if you need a boost for your immune system this winter, you know what to do: her strawberries are the perfect allies. They're full of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Equal Food helps you find a use for them even when they don't look their best, as they still retain all their flavor and benefits.

In the end, it's not just fruit. It's a family story that you can taste in every bite.

🍒 In Fundão, António has dedicated himself to cultivating cherries for many years. He couldn't have chosen a better place, as the region is known as the cherry capital, not only for the quality of the fruit but also for the events that revolve around it.

The season begins in April and extends until mid-summer. During this period, the trees in Antônio are laden with sweet, shiny red fruit. But not all cherries find their way to market. When rain is followed by intense sun, the skin cracks and is left with small scars.

These are visual details that don't detract from the flavor, but they deter more discerning buyers. As a result, a significant portion of the harvest ends up not being used.

By valuing these cherries, we help António ensure that a year's worth of work isn't wasted and that each fruit has the opportunity to reach someone's table. A cherry can be much more than just a fruit. It can also be a symbol of resilience and dedication.

In his fifties, Jorge decided to embark on a new adventure: planting blueberries. 🫐

In 2020, he had his first major harvest, which surprised everyone. Approximately 220 tons were harvested from his farm, the largest volume ever.

But not everything went according to plan. In the very first year, Jorge faced several challenges, and many of the blueberries didn't find a buyer—not because they lacked flavor, but because they weren't the "perfect" size or shape the market demanded. Tons of fruit remained on the plants, ready to be harvested and with the same nutritional quality.

That's where we met, and we helped Jorge find a direction for part of that production. We continue to stand by his side to face these difficulties and pave the way for new opportunities.

Jorge's story reminds us why we exist: to support those who cultivate with dedication and to value what the land offers us, even when it doesn't conform to shelf standards.