Reaching Beyond Coffee: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Supports Yakima, WA Apple Pickers
WATERBURY, Vt. & YAKIMA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
For years, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR)
has awarded grants to improve the quality of life in coffee-growing
communities around the world. Now, for the first time in the history
of its philanthropic giving, the company has chosen to fund a non-coffee
supply chain project within the United States, with a $125,000 grant to
the Madison House Youth and Community Center of Yakima, WA.
Madison House Youth and Community Center provides educationally based
programs to families who are employed in the orchards and warehouses of
the surrounding apple industry. GMCR buys apples for its Green
Mountain Naturals® Hot Apple Cider K-Cup® packs from the same
fertile area of Yakima Valley.
"It was a natural fit," said Rick Peyser, Director of Social Advocacy
and Supply Chain Community Outreach for GMCR. "We are pleased to be able
to support Madison House because the organization provides much-needed
services to the people who pick and process our apples."
The $125,000 grant from GMCR will fund adult education at Madison House,
including scholarships, program materials and supplies, a full-time
adult education coordinator, GED testing fees, and childcare.
"This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for both
organizations to expand efforts to reduce generational poverty," said
Sara Holtzinger, Madison House Development Director. "To change the
culture of our communities, we must work to change the culture of our
homes. That's why adult education, and the childcare that's necessary to
support it, are so important."
GMCR was introduced to Madison House by representatives of Tree Top, a
grower-owned cooperative that operates eight fruit processing facilities
in Washington, Oregon, and California. "Good things happen when people
work together to care for communities within the supply chain," said
Sharon Miracle, Corporate Communications Director for Tree Top, Inc.
GMCR allocates at least 5% of its pre-tax profits to socially and
environmentally responsible initiatives. In its fiscal 2011, the
resources GMCR allocated to sustainability programs totaled $15.2
million. For more information, visit www.BrewingABetterWorld.com.
About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
As a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, Green Mountain Coffee
Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ:GMCR), is recognized for its award-winning
coffees, innovative Keurig® Single Cup brewing technology, and socially
responsible business practices. GMCR supports local and global
communities by offsetting 100% of its direct greenhouse gas emissions,
investing in sustainably-grown coffee, and donating at least five
percent of its pre-tax profits to social and environmental projects. For
more information, please visit us online at www.GMCR.com;
www.greenmountaincoffeeroasters.com
or www.keurig.com.
GMCR routinely posts information that may be of importance to investors
in the Investor Relations section of its website, including news
releases and its complete financial statements, as filed with the SEC.
The Company encourages investors to consult this section of its website
regularly for important information and news. Additionally, by
subscribing to the Company's automatic
email news release delivery, individuals can receive news directly
from GMCR as it is released.
About Madison House Youth and Community Center
Madison House Youth and Community Center, located in the heart of the
gang and drug district of Yakima, opened its doors in May of 1989, and
is available at no cost to all youth and families who wish to
participate. Offering educationally based programs, Madison House also
offers sewing, fine arts, sports programs, positive relationship
building, summer day camp, computer training, free daily meals and much
more. Many of the children at Madison House, who range in age from
toddler to high school, are at-risk and socially or economically
disadvantaged. The children come from broken homes and know the sting of
drug and alcohol abuse. Recently, the Washington Tree Fruit Industry
formed a partnership with Madison House, coined the ‘Journey of Hope';
encouraging a hope and a future, beyond the individual circumstances,
through the guide of education. For more information, visit www.yugm.org.
About Tree Top, Inc.
Since 1960, Tree Top has provided premium, quality juices, fruit based
products and ingredients to consumers and most of the world's leading
manufactures. The grower-owned cooperative operates eight processing
facilities in the heart of Washington's apple country, Oregon and
California. With more than 1,100 growers, the co-op creates the widest
array of fruit-based products and ingredients available on the market.
Tree Top's passion and attention to quality and craftsmanship makes it
the first choice for customers. For more information, visit www.treetop.com.
GMCR-S
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
Sandy Yusen, 866-968-2739
Director
of Public Relations
GMCR's Specialty Coffee Business Unit
sandy.yusen@gmcr.com
Source: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
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