Ecopalms has a new website. You can now order using credit card and also check on your order status online.
Make sure to write down your username/password combo when creating an account so you can order with a few clicks for next year!
- Website open for 2025 orders on January 22, 2025.
LEFT:Palms in the forest. Palms require shaded forest conditions to grow.
RIGHT: Sorting Palms prior to shipping
The Process
One of the communities where palms have been gathered for years.
Group Photo
Welcome to EcoPalms.org
By choosing Ecopalms for Palm Sunday you can promote environmental and social justice through your congregations palm purchasing decisions!
Promote Social Justice
- Harvesting palms is an important source of income but gatherers receive a low price
- Gatherers will receive a higher price for their “fair trade” palms improving their income.
Promote Environmental Stewardship
- Palms protect valuable natural forests because they provide income to forest communities.
- Palms will be “sustainably” harvested and managed protecting the palms and the forests they need for shade.
Why a "Fair Trade" Palm?
- To improve income and living conditions for the communities gathering the palm.
- To protect the palms and the important forests from which they are gathered through sustainable harvest programs.
Did You Know?
- Approximately 308 million palm fronds were consumed in the United States in 1998.
- Palm purchases for Palm Sunday may be worth up to 4.5 million dollars/year.
- A congregation of 1,100 to 1,500 members will order approximately 700 palm fronds for Palm Sunday services.
- Palm gathering actually protects valuable natural forests.
- At least half of the farmers in the Central Petenof Guatemala earn additional income from harvesting fronds and, more than a quarter of household heads support themselves exclusively by collecting fronds.
- Each palm plant produces 2 to 5 harvestable leaves over a 2 to 4 month period.
