Samba99: From the Amazon Jungle to the Urban Jungle

“If I’m going to come out with a food product, it’s got to do more than just taste good,” says Robert Flam, C.E.O. and founder of Samba99. An ideology centered around the idea of “functional foods” is what makes Samba99 stand apart from other exotic food producers. The star of the Samba99 fruit bar is the açai fruit. This little fruit from the Amazon has exploded in popularity as of late, appearing in beverage form with its many purported benefits being touted by celebrities. But while to most of us açai seems like a fad, the latest food trend destined to go the way of cassette tapes and slap bracelets, to the people of the Amazon, the açai fruit is a way of life.

I recently sampled some of these fruit bars and although initially put off by their unconventional appearance (whereas most fruit bars seem to be comprised mostly of granola or nuts, Samba99 bars are mostly fruit pulp), I was pleasantly surprised. The açai berry bar is made from organic açai pulp, organic Brazil nuts, organic cane sugar, pectin, citric acid, and organic guarana (a natural caffeine). The cupuaçu bar (my favorite) is made of organic cupuaçu pulp, organic Brazil nuts, organic cane sugar, pectin, and citric acid. The bars are naturally sweet and tangy and are great for breakfast on-the-go.

Robert Flam, a self-made Brazilophile, is a born-and-raised New Yorker who started the first commercial art gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. His love affair with Brazilian culture began when he decided to showcase Brazilian artists in his gallery. He got the attention of the Brazilian cultural attaché and soon the Brazilian embassy was flying him down to Brazil for a whirlwind cultural junket. Enamored with the people and the culture, Flam decided to bring a little bit of Brazil to New York City and he organized an exhibition called Art from Brazil in New York – it was a resounding success.

After organizing a Brazilian food festival in the city, Flam decided to combine his love of entrepreneurship with his love of Brazil and so Samba99 was born. He loved the açai fruit, and so did America, it seemed. Only one thing was missing from the marketplace—açai in edible, as opposed to drinkable, form.

Crucial to understanding his product is understanding where it comes from and how it gets from there to here. “There” happens to be the floor of the Amazon rainforest where the açai fruit is literally sourced, not farmed—it’s picked up off the floor and sold to cooperatives who, in turn, sell it to Samba99. Getting all his raw materials from ethically-sourced ingredients is very important to Flam, who considers Brazil his second home. “The more profit that can be kept with the gatherers, the better,” says Flam.

What does the future hold for Flam and Samba99?

“Once I’m up and running, I’m interested in going back to Brazil,” says Flam. “I have a lot of interest in the Amazon, and I’m interested in funding some of these cooperatives. There are all these people with entrepreneurial spirit but they have no real experience in making something happen…I don’t work and live for money, it would be so cool to see these resources develop for these people. It’s a pretty tough existence, but I think it would be great to be involved in funding that in microloans, and not just with money but expertise, putting into place the pipeline, more power into the hands of the people who are responsible for collecting the fruits, who are responsible for bringing new flavors and tastes to the market. It’s about collaboration…I love giving back. I don’t need much more in life. I got just about everything I need. I just like helping people. I like seeing the benefit of my effort helping more than just me. And I want more of it.”

Amen!

Photos by Samba99 for Appetite for Good.

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