KIVA LENDING GROUP

Senora Dominga De La Cruz Davila Pavon, a Nicaraguan butcher-shop owner with 28 years of experience, needed funds to expand her inventory of pork and beef.

Cleotilde Flores Marroquin is an El Salvadoran pupusa-maker who needed money for cornmeal and other ingredients.

Maria Teresa Carrero needed firewood to help her tortilla-making business in El Salvador grow.

Slow Food East Bay is proud to support these and other Central American cooks, bakers, butchers, market-owners, and small farmers by offering microloans though the Kiva organization. In many impoverished nations, a man or woman in need of as little as $100 to help their business grow may be forced to turn to predatory local lenders. Kiva allows us offer loans directly to individuals in need, helping them to continue serving their communities in the most targeted and effective way.

As our loans are repaid, the funds will be offered to more individuals working in food and agriculture. Members of Slow Food East Bay interested in joining the effort directly can visit Kiva.org, start an account, and join the Slow Food East Bay lending team–by crediting loans to the team, we can show that our collective commitment to local good, clean, and fair food also extends beyond our borders. Any questions can be directed to Andrew Beahrs at apbeahrs@mac.com.