Green Mountain Commits Funds to Help Coffee-Growing Communities Get Clean Water

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, has committed more than $2 million to support two clean water projects in communities where the company sources coffee in Nicaragua.

GMCR, based in Waterbury, Vt., has joined forces with two nonprofit 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 percent 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 $1.25 million over five years for Water For People’s 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’s 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 percent of the families will have access to potable water, 30 percent will have improved food security because of better access to water, and all communities will have a greater ability to adapt to climate change.

“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 3,000 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.