Peppadews, those tasty little sweet hot peppers from South Africa are grown and made by a socially responsible company, one who cares for their fellow country folk. Peppadew International, whose head office is located in Johannesburg, is committed to the uplifting of the communities in which it is located and a quarter of its contracted farmers come from previously disadvantaged communities. The company is dedicated to training and development of its employees to uplift and empower them so they can better support themselves and their families.

Peppadew Internationals main factory and farming operations are located in the northeast part of South Africa where it borders with Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique. They have 7-8 processing buildings in the town of Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province near Kruger National Park. This area of South Africa is very impoverished, with a unemployment rate of at least 46%, but Peppadew is creating social opportunities for thousands of people. They employ 3,000 South Africans full time and another 5,000 are hired as indirect, seasonal staff working on the farms, growing and harvesting the peppers. Peppadew peppers are very labor intensive and require around 11 workers per hectare to produce them.I really love these sweet little teasers. I first had them in South Africa about two years ago awhile before they were released in the US. I ran across them in Woolworth's, SA at the same time I first tasted those tiny Victoria pineapples. I picked up a few jars and they almost lasted the week long voyage across the Atlantic to South America. I was bummed at first that they weren't available in the US and was very glad to see them show up a few months later. Now I get them every few weeks to snack on and throw in my gin 'n rocks.

Peppadews are now available in mild and hot versions in 14 oz. jars, as well as in bulk, in many markets olive and salad bars. They also make Peppadew Medium Salsa in 15.8 and 64 ounce containers, a Peppadew "Splash on" Sauce in hot and mild,and Sweet and Spicy Peppadew Potato Chips in 1 and 5 ounce packages. the sweet pepper fruit is being used in many other food products and recipes around the world including, dressings, sauces, sushi, stuffed with cheeses, and even beverages. For those of you who have food allergies there is good news, Peppadews are basically allergen free.