mission
WHY WE STARTED
We’re a diverse team that is passionate about the intersection of good food, a healthy lifestyle, and sustainable approach to business.
We saw an opportunity to bring delicious, nutrient-dense snacks to the world while aiding our mission to implement an ethical supply chain and return Afghanistan to its position as a world-renowned producer of dried fruits and nuts.
TO PROVIDE BETTER, HEALTHIER, SNACKING OPTIONS
We believe that healthy snacks should be delicious, and that delicious snacks can be good for your health.
We source the highest-quality dry fruits and nuts we can find and bring them to you in a convenient, grab-and-go snacking format.
We source the highest-quality dry fruits and nuts we can find and bring them to you a range of convenient formats
SUPERIOR TASTE
Ziba is more flavorful than other dried fruit and nut brands because of the agricultural methods used. Ziba products taste great straight out of the packet and add unparalleld flavor when used in cooking and baking.
PACKED WITH NUTRIENTS
Ziba is significantly healthier and more nutrient-dense than other dried fruit and nut brands (more nutrients due to heirloom and wild-grown varieties; no chemical or pesticides).
NOTHING ARTIFICAL, NOTHING UNNECESSARY
All of our products are shelf-stable without the use of sulphites or other additives. preservatives; no added ingredients like sugar, oil, or maltodextrin—only a light dusting of Afghan salt on select products). Our new packaging ensures our products retain the flavor, texture, and color, for an extended timeframe.
VERSATILE AND ACCESSIBLE
The Ziba range of packaging sizes makes them suited to every occasion at a range of price points.
TO CREATE AN ETHICAL SUPPLY CHAIN
We pay farmers a fair wage, in advance, to secure their best product.
No consignment, no delayed payments, no below-market prices.
One of the many challenges facing Afghan fruit and nut farmers is an economic imbalance between the Afghan farmers who rely on sales to feed their families and the traditional traders who take advantage of farmers in need.
Traders often take harvested products from farmers on consignment, selling them abroad with little to no market price transparency. Some traders pay the farmers less than they promise, citing poor market conditions or problems with product quality. Unscrupulous traders often mix new or superior-quality product with old, inferior stock, attempting to maximize their personal profit at all costs. This damages the reputation of Afghan agricultural products and the farmers who work so hard to produce them. In this environment, the farmers assume all of the risk, but they have little choice and no recourse because they are reliant on these traders to feed their families.
Ziba works differently. Ziba always pays for our goods at the time of purchase. As soon as a farmer’s available harvest passes our rigorous quality control and inspection process, the farmer gets paid, in cash. We also track our purchases with a modern batching and tracing system, ensuring that we only bring top-quality products to market. Ziba’s way of doing business protects the quality of our products, bolsters the reputation of Afghan dried fruit and nuts, and allows us to sustain relationships with farmers and cooperatives across the country, providing them with a reliable source of income, often for the first time.
TO EMPOWER WOMEN
We focus on supporting and improving the role of women in Afghan society. Our workforce is 80% female in both staff and management positions. We provide our Afghan staff with year-round employment despite the cyclical nature of the agricultural industry, as well as regular educational and training opportunities.
Since its inception, Ziba has maintained a constant focus on supporting and improving the role of women in Afghan society. With chronically high rates of unemployment, Afghan women are too often marginalized across all economic sectors. Ziba’s workforce in both management and staff positions is 85% female. We provide our Afghan staff with year-round employment despite the cyclical nature of the agricultural industry. Further, we provide educational opportunities for our staff, including weekly English lessons and ongoing industry-related training.
Meet Freshta (pictured left)
Freshta’s world changed forever when, at her father’s insistence, she dropped out of school to get married. Her job with Ziba has given her not only full-time employment and a reliable income, but a second chance at education.
