Mavuno Harvest is a U.S. based food company, started by a Peace Corps volunteer which works with smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to increase their incomes by connecting them with the U.S. market. (Check out their video here ).
Rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa are wholly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. However, lack of access to markets, and inefficiencies in the supply chain lead to wasted food, and thus reduced incomes. It is estimated that smallholder farmers (like Niwandinda and Ankwatsa, 1st and 2nd pic) are only able to sell 30-40% of their fruit while the rest lays to rot.
Mavuno Harvest was founded by Phil (3rd pic left) to address this problem with a simple solution: drying fruit. Drying fruit allows farmers to create a new healthy and delicious product which consumers love. It also avoids waste and allows farmers to sell 100% of their harvests, creates jobs and keeps money in the communities that need it most. They can be found nation-wide in some of the best stores in the U.S. Their fruit is 100% organic, fair trade certified, all natural and non-GMO verified.
Mavuno Harvest is seeking a loan to increase purchases from smallholder African farmers, and keep up with growing demand in the U.S. This loan will be directly used to purchase more fruit from farmers – creating sustainable supply chains and increasing village level incomes.