Switzerland: Local, sustainable foods
Elderberry growing on one of the primary Ricola herb farm cooperatives in Venthone, in the Valais region. Ricola sources nearly all of their herbs from Swiss farmers. Used for centuries in folk medicine, elderberry has been studied recently for its antiviral and anti-influenza properties. Organic, alpine herbs grown in the fields next to these trees are harvested and carted to the farm's passive-solar herb-drying facility where they are processed at low temperatures to preserve essential phytonutrients.