Chemical-free “May Peaches” create hope for tribal communities

Sanguangli is an area in the Fuxing District of Taoyuan that covers five Atayal tribes. The Atayal people have been growing peaches for a long time, but around 20 years ago the climate began to change, and the weather became hotter, resulting in a drastic fluctuation in yields each year. The Atayal elders decided to replant with low-altitude peaches and introduce other varieties such as "Spring Honey" and "Summer Honey." Today, Sanguangli is a stunning sea of peach blossoms in early spring and begins selling its peaches in May, which are marketed as the now renowned "May Peach."

Through creating a channel for local produce, the May Peach Cooperative is assisting vulnerable and struggling tribal residents to sell peaches grown by the sweat of their own brow. At the same time, the cooperative returns surplus profits from the sale of peaches to the tribe, which provides meals on wheels for the elderly, sponsors tribal events, and pays for tribal kids to participate in off-campus activities; in short, the entire tribe enjoys the benefits of May Peaches.

以下為中文對照

位於桃園市復興區的三光里，涵蓋了五個泰雅族部落，一直以來，泰雅族人都以種植水蜜桃維生，但在二十餘年前，氣候開始變遷，天氣逐漸炎熱，造成水蜜桃的產量每年的狀況有大幅度的變動。泰雅族耆老決定改種低海拔水蜜桃，引進「春蜜」、「夏蜜」等品種，使三光里在春季時就能看到盛開的桃花，到了五月便成熟結果，形成現在受到好評的「五月桃」。

五月桃合作社專門找弱勢、生活較困難的部落居民合作，幫助他們打開通路，銷售自己辛苦種的五月桃，同時合作社也將一些盈餘回饋給部落，為老人們送餐，或是贊助部落裡的活動，甚至為部落小朋友籌措校外參訪的費用，讓整個部落都能享受五月桃所帶來的收益。