Veneziano supports El Salvador school through coffee purchase
When Craig Simon, 2012 Victorian Barista and Cup Tasting champion, went to El Salvador to source his competition winning coffee, little did he know he would also be supporting a cause close to the local community's heart.
Thanks to a buying initiative set up by coffee farmer Emilio Lopez Diaz of Benefico El Manzano farm, Veneziano Coffee has purchased AAA grade green beans, which in turn supports the local school children of Santa Ana.
"Thanks to buyers and roasters like Veneziano Coffee and others who value more than just the coffee in El Salvador, we have seen many positive improvements in the local community,” says Emilio. "This particular donation is close to our hearts as many of the Benefico El Manzano families' children attend the school."
The Cuatro M initiative gives green coffee buyers and roasters the opportunity to purchase green coffee from Cuatro M at a premium, paying $0.11 more per kilo. The money is then invested in schools within the area.
Emilio is committed to giving something back to the community in Santa Ana and the school Escuela de Educacion Especial ‘Elisa Alvarez de Diaz’, was a perfect candidate. Not only is it located near the coffee mill and roaster, the school for children with special needs is actually named in honour of Emilio's grandmother, Elisa Alvarez de Diaz, who passed away in August 2011.
As a result of Veneziano's coffee purchase contract, Emilio, on behalf of Cuatro M and Veneziano, has been able to deliver brand new touch screen computers to the principal and staff of Escuela de Educacion Especial.
