After serving with the Peace Corps in a Kenyan village called Miti Mingi, Phil Hughes found himself asking the question: “What if there was a way to provide jobs and economic opportunity for rural farmers in Africa, while at the same time solving the issue of wasted harvests?” His answer? Mavuno Harvest.
Mavuno Harvest partners with small fruit farmer cooperatives in Sub-Saharan Africa to create ethical supply chains and help lift farmers out of poverty. By harvesting fruit and drying it rather than simply trying to sell it fresh, Mavuno supports these farmers in the off seasons when their leftover crops would otherwise go to waste. This social business partners with fruit drying facilities in Uganda and Burkina Faso, creating new jobs in new communities beyond where the fruit is originally grown. Mavuno also increases employment opportunities for Sub-Saharan Africans by expanding the dried fruit market internationally, selling their organic dried fruit snacks in the U.S. and beyond. Finally, Phil and his team work with the farmers to develop social and community projects from health centers to libraries.
Find their tasty organic dried banana, mango, and tropical mix in six of our gifts displayed below.
