SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2016) – 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 our 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.”

To find where you can purchase GROW organic bananas in the Northwest U.S., contact Organically Grown Company at info@organicgrown.com.To learn more about GROW by Organics Unlimited, please visit GROWbananas.org. Distributors can purchase GROW organic bananas by visiting organicsunlimited.com.

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About Organics Unlimited

Organics Unlimited is a San Diego-based distributor of organic tropical fruit from Mexico and South America, providing its traditional label as well as the GROW label. Its fruits are USDA certified organic for the U.S. and Canada through Organic Certifiers. For more information on Organics Unlimited and GROW, visit OrganicsUnlimited.com, GrowBananas.org, or call 619.710.0658. Check out the latest blog post from Organics Unlimited at: OrganicOdes.com, or find Organics Unlimited on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

About Organically Grown Company

Founded in 1978, employee and grower-owned Organically Grown Company (OGC) is the largest organic produce distributor in the Pacific Northwest. From locations in Oregon and Washington, OGC works with more than 300 growers and vendors to market and distribute produce to over 500 retail, wholesale and restaurant customers throughout the greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. OGC’s trademarked LADYBUG brand represents more than 30 Northwest, family-owned, organic and Salmon-Safe certified farms and is sold in markets across the United States and Canada. OGC has been recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices including sourcing 100% renewable energy in facilities, operating their own Clean Air certified truck fleet, support for fair trade and charitable giving. Their mission is “Promoting health through organic agriculture as a leading sustainable organization.”  www.organicgrown.com

About Project Amigo

Project Amigo is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help rural children in the west-central state of Colima, Mexico achieve the education and skills they need to lift themselves and their families out of generations of poverty and to build better and stronger communities.  It also provides safe hands-on service opportunities in Colima for individuals and their families. Please visit our website at www.projectamigo.org.

 

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