Lori Taylor is the Founder & CEO of The Produce Moms. For ten years she sold fresh produce to over 300 grocery stores throughout the United States, and today she is fully focused on working with the produce supply chain, media, and government to increase fresh produce access & consumption in the US and around the globe.
Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers — that’s what GROW is all about. When Mayra founded GROW in 2005, their mission was to help improve the quality of life for their workers on their farms and for surrounding communities experiencing growth. The GROW program provides funding for a variety of social responsibility programs. These programs have helped many living in poverty get access to higher education, clean drinking water, and healthcare.
Grow's Impact on South America
Mayra Velazquez de Leon founded Organics Unlimited in 2000 with the goal to grow high-quality, sustainable tropical fruits, with a focus on bananas. With a passion for high-quality bananas, they’re committed to their customers and growers. They prove this social responsibility by managing and educating farmers on the best growing techniques so all of their produce meets the high standards of organic-approved produce.
Grow's Impact on South America
The technique of growing produce impacts the environment, the growers, and our children for generations to come. Organics Unlimited strives to grow their tropical fruits and bananas as naturally as possible, without any chemicals. This protects the land, the workers, and the produce itself. You don’t want chemicals ending up in your family’s smoothies, right? Organics Unlimited has thriving farms in Mexico and Ecuador and ships to the US, Canada, and Asia.
Grow's Impact on South America
In addition to growing high-quality tropical fruits, Organics Unlimited takes social responsibility in business seriously. It’s a core value that has built this banana-growing company into what it is today. They believe in giving back to their customers and community by offering services and opportunities to those most in need. So far, they’ve contributed over two million dollars in assistance!
Grow's Impact on South America
Project Amigo — Mexico GROW Mexico helps students get grants for higher education and get access to student housing (complete with study rooms, computers, and internet access). Here are a few achievements from Project Amigo from the last year: – GROW Supports 400+ children during the year from elementary to university level education in Colima, Mexico, through Project Amigo. – Eight students have graduated from the GROW Educational Program across different educational levels. – Students who graduated from the University of Colima received degrees in architecture, law, economy, and primary education. – There were 21 new scholarship recipients in the 2023-2024 school year. – Each new student receives a backpack full of school supplies.
Grow's Impact on South America
Children’s International — Ecuador GROW Ecuador helps support the Early Childhood Education Program in impoverished rural areas, provides education on how to make their water safe to drink, and teaches communities how to start a successful small business. There’s a saying that says if you teach a man how to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime. GROW Ecuador takes that social responsibility up a notch by teaching communities skills that help them live healthier and happier lives. Here’s what Children’s International accomplished this year: – GROW Ecuador supports programs at Children’s International. – 17,842 health service referrals were paid for outside of Children’s International. – 7,014 dental exams were completed. – 15,974 telehealth consultations were held. – 3,587 medical exams were performed. – Provided nutritional support for children aged three to fourteen years old based on malnutrition or obesity and the population’s specific needs to meet the principle of equal health.
Grow's Impact on South America
How to Support GROW Get in on the action and help break the cycle of poverty and improve lives. It’s easy. For every box of bananas purchased, sixty cents is donated toward the GROW fund for Ecuador and Mexico. The money is managed independently for trust and transparency. Social responsibility starts with you. So when you buy Organics Unlimited bananas from the produce section, you already support the program and don’t even know it. See? Supporting GROW is as easy as grocery shopping.
To learn more about Grow click the link below!