Miro (12) and Gio (7) Giacomazzi are 5th generation farmers in California’s Central Valley, living on their family’s almond farm. While sheltering in place, these boys have used the extra time away from social engagements to start a new business: Giacomazzi Brothers Nut Company. While their parents often encouraged them to snack on almonds, touting their nutritional benefits, Miro and Gio decided to “make almonds awesome” by adding their favorite flavors to them. With options like churro, cheezos, sweet sriracha and glazed donut, it truly is a sweet gig!
There are boundless examples of innovation in the almond community, but to this young pair, entrepreneurship is nothing new. According to their website, “Giacomazzi Brothers Nut Company is our second business. Last year we grew and sold corn. We didn't like this business very much because picking the corn made us itchy and we don't really like corn.”
Since their launch, the Giacomazzi brothers have made a practice of giving back. In addition to donating a portion of each sale to their local chapter of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), they’ve partnered with the Central California Food Bank and nearby almond processors, soliciting donations for 10,000 5 oz. bags of almonds for backpacks being distributed to kids in need.
Elsewhere in the Central Valley, Newman-based Stewart and Jasper Orchards recently donated “2,000 pounds of roasted snack almonds to police, fire, ambulance and hospital workers.”
COVID-19 has changed much of the world as we know it; however, farming is one constant that this world can always rely on. Here in California, the almond community is working to keep stores and pantries stocked to meet the increased demand for healthy, shelf-stable almonds and almond products, taking special care of employee and food safety. Growing and processing 80 percent of the world’s supply of almonds, these efforts build atop of a longstanding commitment to sustainability. California almond farmers are proud to continue to farm in better and safer ways for their local communities and those around the world who enjoy almonds every day.
In addition to the serious concerns this pandemic raises, we are all adapting to a new normal, particularly those with little ones at home. If you’re looking for an activity to keep them busy, "An Almond Story" is an interactive educational booklet designed in partnership with the California Foundation for Ag in the Classroom. Developed at a 3rd grade curriculum level, the activity book teaches students about the almond lifecycle, the nutrition of almonds, fun recipes to try and more. There’s even an animated video, narrated by “Auntie Bee” to go along with it.
