NALEDO: SUSTAINABLE SPICES
Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Practices
NALEDO is a social enterprise founded by mother-daughter team Umeeda and Nareena Switlo. Being a better business for better lives means sourcing sustainably and partnering with hundreds of small-scale growers to ensure we have a positive impact from forest to fridge. Our commitment to sustainable practices extends to every aspect of our operations, from cultivation to processing, ensuring that our turmeric products are not only of the highest quality but also have a minimal environmental footprint. We believe in the power of turmeric to improve lives and are dedicated to sharing its benefits with the world.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Umeeda and Nareena Switlo
Umeeda and Nareena Switlo are the passionate founders of NALEDO. Their journey began with a vision to create a positive impact on the lives of small-scale growers and the environment. Their commitment to sustainable sourcing and empowering communities has been the driving force behind NALEDO's mission. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of turmeric, they aim to bring about positive change while sharing the rich heritage and benefits of this remarkable spice.
Umeeda was born in Uganda to a family of entrepreneurs, her father managed an insurance company and her mother ran a Montessori school, BOTH raced cars!
During the 1970s, a dictator terrorized the country and our family fled Uganda for Canada as refugees. Umeeda arrived with 1 suitcase at the age of 15. They all started a new chapter in their lives.
Umeeda’s mother, known in the family as Mamajee, cooked to help keep the stories of home alive over the dinner table. Our family finally convinced Mamajee to write a cookbook called ‘Mamajee’s Kitchen’, (which you can buy on our website).
Nareena, Umeeda’s daughter grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Her mom and mamajee taught her how to cook and instilled a strong sense of social responsibility. While she was learning how to make chicken curry they would tell stories of Uganda and ask Nareena what she was going to do to make the world a better place. A young social entrepreneur was made!
Umeeda first went to Belize to volunteer with the Belizean government through CUSO International to share her business skills with youth.
While in Belize, Umeeda travelled the country and met other people of Indian ancestry. She learned how their ancestors had come to the country as indentured servants over 200 years ago. As they were sharing stories, of course, cooking came up, one farmer showed her the turmeric that grew wild on his land. Their ancestors had brought the golden root with them! It was the most vivid orange and the best quality Umeeda had ever seen! After months of experimenting, she came up with the recipe for the world’s first wildcrafted, whole root turmeric paste – Truly Turmeric.
We decided to build a social enterprise that would support growers to earn extra income, employ youth, improve health around the world, and produce products sustainably.
Our company’s name comes from the district in Belize where our turmeric is sourced, Toledo and Nareena’s name… Na + ledo = Naledo. Embarrassing for Nareena, proud mom bragging rights for Umeeda.