Organics Unlimited, retailers and consumers celebrated GROW Month in September. The acronym stands for Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers, and President Mayra Velazquez de Leon said she is immensely proud of the impact the program has had in the lives of workers, families and communities.

“There’s no way you can hide the excitement about what they’re doing down there,” she said of the programs in Ecuador and Mexico.

Organics Unlimited is headquartered in San Diego and has farming operations in Mexico. Velazquez de Leon’s family has been in the banana business for four generations. Her father exported the first commercially grown organic bananas to the United States in 1974. Velazquez de Leon and her husband, Manuel, founded Organics Unlimited in 2000 to continue farming operations and assume responsibility for exports.

Today, the company is one of the larger suppliers growing and packing organic bananas for sale to customers in North American and Japan.

Organics Unlimited created the GROW program in 2005. Seen here are students who have been awarded scholarships to pursue their studies during the week, returning home on weekends to be with their families. (Photo courtesy of Organics Unlimited)The company markets bananas in the United States under the “Organics Unlimited” label. The company’s “GROW” label supports Organic Unlimited’s social responsibility programs. A small surcharge added to each box of “GROW” bananas goes directly toward programs in the communities where the bananas are grown.

“We want to give consumers the message that when they purchase GROW bananas they are contributing to a better life for those whom would have difficulty otherwise,” Velazquez de Leon said. “Every GROW banana customers purchase helps provide scholarships, housing, clothing and compensation to workers and their families.”

The program was created in 2005. “We founded it on the principle of providing a better lifestyle for not only the workers who grow our produce, but also others in the community who are often living in poverty,” the GROW website states. “All workers in the area are not as fortunate to have the luxury of education, medical coverage and a fair wage. The GROW program helps provide educational, dental and vision support programs to those who need it the most, regardless of their employment. GROW provides a hand up, not a hand out, to migrant workers and their families to better improve their living conditions.”

To support GROW Month, Organics Unlimited launched a new sampling program, and trained demonstrators were available to talk about the nonprofit and the “GROW” brand. “We believe our new sampling program will spark more interest in organic bananas and social responsibility among consumers,” Velazquez de Leon stated. “GROW Month is a time to let your customers know that they are helping change the world with each purchase of GROW bananas.”

New point-of-purchase materials were made available for free download, and an updated poster encouraged consumers to “Buy a banana. Change a life.” In addition to new header cards, customers could order banana bags made from recycled paper that feature a recipe. Technical support for interested retailers and merchandisers was also available at the company’s online store.

Velazquez de Leon said the company is currently raising funds for a safe water project in Ecuador. Through the program, children and families receive training on procedures to safely treat water for drinking as well as ways in which to store water safely.

Educational scholarships are provided to students through Project Amigo, which is based in Colima, Mexico. In addition to these scholarships, Project Amigo provides housing, giving students the opportunity to focus on their studies during the week and return home on weekends.

Velazquez de Leon said the impact of the program is tangible, as many families have children who have never gone to middle school or beyond. Through the program, she said 12 students have earned their college degrees and are giving back to their communities through volunteerism.

“I get a letter from them each month,” she said. “They’re very thankful.”

The program has been so successful that a new second floor at a third facility has been built to house GROW scholars. “We needed a little more space,” Velazquez de Leon said.