Growers First
The number one way to fight global poverty is to invest in agriculture.
More than 20 years ago Dave Day, the founder of Growers First, witnessed first-hand the economic and social injustices in the lives of small coffee growers in Mexico. Dave was involved in the coffee business and discovered while coffee represents the largest cash crop and agricultural revenue stream in the world small indigenous growers receive a disproportionately low percentage of this revenue. This results in growers and their families struggling in a subsistence life of poverty and constant need.
In 2000 Dave began addressing inequities in agricultural markets by providing growers the ability to work collectively and achieve a better quality of life. It wasn't about giving money to poor farmers – it was something more. It was hope. Hope for a way to provide for their families and communities in a sustainable way. Through improved farming practices the annual income of small growers typically increases from 300% to 500% – lifting them out of poverty.
As with any part of the world in need, Dave discovered more than just issues of farming need to be addressed. At Growers First we put the grower first while also focusing on other needs in the community from education, to health and wellness, to working with local faith leaders and the communities' spiritual well-being.