DELICIA CRIOLLA 

Organizers believed that there was a market for many traditional Uruguayan foodstuffs which had been disappearing from the Uruguayan diet. They also believed that a project which organized rural entrepreneurs to produce and market these products could be financially rewarding to participants while at the same time providing them with training in many business skills such as processing, delivery, trademark design, developing a business plan and quality control. Using a production and services cooperative system, the products, which include fruits, vegetables, milk, meats, honey and liquor, are sold at public events.

One of the largest of these events is Mesa Criolla, an event which AMRU organized in co-operation with Todos por Uruguay, a Foundation managed by the first lady of Uruguay. Working with many companies, international agencies, and training institutes, AMRU also organized a delivery system for sales as well as a program which markets Christmas baskets as corporate gifts. The professionals from those groups who have volunteered their time have provided valuable training to participants. Traditional Uruguayan products which had been disappearing from the market are now being produced and sold throughout the country. Small family companies are gaining skills in the operation of small businesses and are also learning the value of co-operative enterprise.