Press Release
U.S. Ambassador tours Mt. Meru Coffee Project
May 2, 2008
American Ambassador Mark Green visited the Mt. Meru Coffee Project near Usa River on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. This economic project has grown out of a partnership between Lutherans of the Milwaukee Synod (ELCA) in the United States and the Diocese of Meru (ELCT).
According to a statement from U.S. Embassy, Ambassador Green met with small coffee farmers, took a tour of the coffee processing centre and met with the executive committee of the Mount Meru Specialty Growers Association.
The Mt. Meru Coffee Project creates a direct connection between Tanzanian farmers and American consumers. Coffee grown on the slopes of Mt. Meru is purchased directly from the small farmers through local co-operatives and then shipped to Milwaukee in the Ambassador's home state of Wisconsin. From there, the coffee is roasted to order and distributed to consumers through "ambassadors" in more than 60 congregations who ship it throughout the United States.
The Mt. Meru Coffee Project objective is to bring economic and social justice to the small farmers and people of the Mt. Meru region in Tanzania. For a pound of coffee, Shs 2,400/- is paid to the farmer. This fair price for the quality coffee supplied by the farmers provides them with a sustainable living and the ability to support their families. Social justice is fostered when approximately Shs 3,600/- per pound of coffee sold to consumers is set aside to support programs of education and health cares for the people in the Diocese of Meru.
There are several non-governmental relationships established between the people of the United States and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania. The U.S. Mission encourages these relationships to continue and strengthen so that we may build upon the already close friendship between our two nations.
For further information on this and other programs, please visit us at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov