Northwest-based organic distributor Organically Grown Company (OGC) recently reached an impressive milestone, announcing the donation of $1 million to the GROW program through 10 years of sales. OGC committed to purchasing its organic bananas exclusively from GROW beginning in 2005 when the brand was first introduced by Organics Unlimited. Together, with the cooperation of its Northwest-based retail customers, the company is proud to celebrate this philanthropic achievement.
Through the GROW program, $.60 from of every box of organic bananas from GROW by Organics Unlimited is invested back into the communities in Mexico and Ecuador where Organics Unlimited’s bananas are grown.
“We are humbled by the cumulative generosity of our retail customers who committed to paying this small surcharge on each box of organic bananas from GROW,” said Tonya Haworth, marketing communications specialist for Organically Grown Company. “Ten years ago they chose to pay the extra $.60 per box without increasing the cost to customers. Together, we have accomplished something truly remarkable.”
Project Amigo, a nonprofit partner in Colima, Mexico, receives grants from the GROW fund that assist with expenses for literacy, vision and dental care and also helps establish youth educational programs, scholarships and a university boarding home. Many youth in Colima would not be able to continue their studies past a young age if it weren’t for the educational scholarships that GROW banana purchases fund. Scholarships provide a school uniform, registration fees, bus transportation, a nutritional lunch and all books and supplies for a youth.
“GROW by Organics Unlimited would not have its current impact on Mexican and Ecuadorian communities if it weren’t for the support of OGC, one of the companies who supported our mission when we first founded the brand in 2005,” said Mayra Velazquez de Leon, president of Organics Unlimited. “It has been my pleasure to thank OGC with hosted employee trips to Colima for a Project Amigo Work Week.”
A Work Week allows members of the OGC team to see the impact their donations have had on the community. “Throughout the week, visitors have an opportunity to volunteer on school-based literacy projects, teaching English as a Second Language, enrichment programs for children and more,” said Jenna Saldaña, executive director of Project Amigo. “Several employees from OGC have participated in Project Amigo Work Weeks over the years, demonstrating their commitment to GROW. The support for Project Amigo is heartfelt.”
For more information:
Organically Grown Company