Why a food availability project?
Guatemala has the fourth-highest chronic malnutrition and stunting rate globally and the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. Several factors contribute to this, including insufficient income, non-diverse diets, contaminated crops, and water scarecity.
The situation is not exclusive to the municipalities included in this project. In addition, some are in the dry corridor, where water scarcity makes growing food difficult and leads to diarrheal diseases, further worsening malnutrition.
What is the Family Garden initiative?
The Family Garden initiative is a transformative partnership with Cáritas Arquidiocesana and the Ministry of Agriculture. It benefits 700 low-income families across seven rural municipalities in Guatemala who experience food insecurity and lack access to essential horticultural products. We provide families with resources and training to establish and maintain their gardens. The specific objective of this project is to increase household availability and access to a stable supply of safe, nutritious, and sufficient vegetables.
Developing Self-Reliance with Family Gardens
Family Gardens are dedicated spaces cultivated and managed by families on their land to sustainably produce fresh and nutritious food. They are fundamental to improving food security and contribute to rural families’ economic and nutritional well-being. In these ways, participating families become more self-reliant and resilient.
