Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Commits Over $2 Million to Help Nicaraguan Coffee-Growing Communities Gain Access to Clean Water
WATERBURY, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
As part of its commitment to Building a Better World Together™, Green
Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in
specialty coffee and coffee makers, has committed over $2 million to
support two clean water projects in communities where the Company
sources coffee in Nicaragua.
GMCR has joined forces with two non-profit organizations in northern
Nicaragua to fund two potable water projects over the next five years.
Both projects intend to increase community access to clean water,
improve food security, and provide education on sanitation, nutrition,
and environmental protection.
According to the most recent Joint Monitoring Report by UNICEF and the
World Health Organization, only 68% of people in rural Nicaragua have
access to safe drinking water. Many families are forced to collect water
from streams and unprotected wells.
"Water For People" will work in the communities of San Rafael del Norte
and partner with the local government, the Nicaraguan Ministry of
Education, and three coffee cooperatives. GMCR will provide $1,250,000
over five years for Water For People's ambitious plan to provide full
water coverage to the entire municipality of San Rafael del Norte by
2017.
"This strategic investment by GMCR will help change the lives for
thousands of people in San Rafael del Norte," said Ned Breslin, Water
For People CEO. "And more importantly, it will serve as a model that can
be replicated throughout the country so that the entire nation of
Nicaragua can meet its water challenges in the future."
At the same time, GMCR will provide $961,359 over three years to a water
project coordinated by CII-ASDENIC, the Association of Social
Development of Nicaragua. The project's goal is to improve the quality
of life for 800 rural families in 10 coffee-producing communities. If
the project meets its goals, by the end of the third year 90% of the
families will have access to potable water, 30% will have improved food
security due to better access to water, and all communities will have a
greater ability to adapt to climate change. Together these interventions
will revitalize, strengthen, and diversify the smallholder farmer's
local economy.
"This partnership supports CII-ASDENIC's continued efforts to improve
the quality of life for those living in Northern Nicaragua," said Raul
Diaz, Director of CII-ASDENIC. "Access to clean, potable water is
essential for improving the health and food security of these vulnerable
families."
Together, the water projects are expected to improve the lives of almost
3000 families. "Our strategic grant making is designed to help source
communities address the root of local challenges while enhancing supply
chain stability," said Michael Dupee, Vice President of Corporate Social
Responsibility for GMCR.
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 a portion 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
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from GMCR as it is released.
About Water For People
Water For People is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing access to improved water and sanitation systems and services
in developing countries. By working with local governments, the private
sector, and partners, Water For People ensures that everyone in a
specific region has these basic needs met forever. This innovative
approach reaches every family, every school, and every clinic,
catalyzing transformative change for better health and economic
development to occur. Learn more at www.waterforpeople.org.
About CII-ASDENIC
The Nicaraguan Association for Social Development (ASDENIC), founded in
1990, is a local development organization legally established and
recognized by the National Assembly of the Republic of Nicaragua.
ASDENIC works to promote social and economic development in rural and
urban communities, principally in the Las Segovias region in northern
Nicaragua. Learn more at www.asdenic.org.
GMCR
Laura Peterson, 802-488-2459
Corp. Comm. Manager
laura.peterson@gmcr.com
Source: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
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