On Otilia Díaz street in the center of Arrecife, there is a small shop, Huerto Canario, run by Maja Wisniewska, a Polish woman in love with Lanzarote who decided to take her car and travel around the island to find suppliers among the farmers of Lanzarote. It was not an easy task, but today she sells all kinds of local agricultural products from the island and all of the Canary Islands.
In an interview with the radio program Más de Uno Gourmet on Radio Lanzarote, Wisniewska shares her life and professional journey up to the opening of Huerto Canario and details all the products that can be found in her business.
- How did you arrive in Lanzarote?
First, I was traveling through Central America and worked as a diving and freediving instructor until I found a job in Fuerteventura. That's how I got to know Lanzarote and fell in love with the island.
- How did you end up dedicating yourself to agricultural products from Lanzarote?
The idea came up in 2020, with the pandemic. I lost my job and wanted to open a business that would help the local economy and farmers a little bit. Also, because of my passion for gastronomy and the search for quality products.
- Did you have any kind of connection with the agricultural world of the island?
I didn't know any farmers. What I did was grab the car and drive around the island's orchards and ask each farmer if they wanted to sell us their product. That's how the first year went. Farmers don't have websites or social media.
- Was it difficult to establish those first contacts?
Honestly, the first contacts were very difficult. They were very distrustful, they didn't understand why I wanted to sell their products or that I could help them by selling to individuals.
- How did you start the business?
At first, I had a small warehouse in Playa Honda and did home delivery. I also uploaded a recipe with products from the island to social media every week.
- How did you decide to set up the physical store in the center of Arrecife?
The idea came up two years ago. I wanted to get to know my customers better and chat with them when they come to the store.
- What products are there in Huerto Canario?
I have a network of farmers who, depending on the season, tell me: "Look, this week I'm going to have papaya or this week I'm going to have asparagus."
The product that stands out the most in the store is the Tinajo tomato, a product that you can't go wrong with.
The asparagus comes from San Bartolomé. The papaya is from Soo, from a farm from which we also bring bananas, the only one in Lanzarote that grows them. We also have oyster mushrooms from San Bartolomé, and some grapes, although almost everything is used to make wine.
- Have any farmers decided to produce more thanks to having you as a buyer?
Yes, it happened to me with zucchini and tomatoes, which are consumed a lot.
- How can a farmer who wants to sell their product contact you?
They can write to me directly on instagram if they have it, or if not, stop by the store, Huerto Canario, on Calle Otilia Díaz in Arrecife.
