New Coffee to Fund Life-Saving Healthcare for Women in Coffee-Growing Communities

Stockton Graham & Co. and Grounds For Health Launch Special Blend

Initiative will help double Grounds for Health’s impact with a goal of reaching at least 15,000 women in 2016

In recognition of Cervical Health Awareness Month, Raleigh coffee roaster Stockton Graham & Co. (http://www.stocktongraham.com) has partnered with the international non-profit Grounds for Health to launch the Grounds for Health Blend coffee. Through sales of the special blend, at least $10,000 will be donated to Grounds for Health to support cervical cancer screening and treatment for women living in coffee-growing communities.  The donation will directly contribute to Grounds for Health’s goal of reaching 15,000 women in 2016.

“Cervical cancer is one of the most critical, undertreated health concerns of women in coffee-growing communities,” said Stockton Graham & Co. Director of Business Development Debra Dolan. “Since women represent 70% of the labor burden on coffee farms, investing in their health is essential to coffee’s future. As one of the nation’s leading coffee roasters, it is our responsibility to support women at the heart of coffee.”

“Cervical cancer is one of the most significant disparities in women’s health today,” said Guy Stallworthy, President & CEO of Grounds for Health. “Unlike in the United States and other richer countries, cervical cancer often claims more lives in these communities than any other cancer. And yet it is nearly 100% preventable. Our partnership with Stockton Graham will help us continue to scale our efforts to provide life-saving health screenings and treatment to more women coffee farmers.”

Stockton Graham & Co. will begin selling Grounds for Health Blend coffee to wholesale and retail customers during the January 2016 National Cervical Health Awareness Month.

“Our commitment to superior coffee naturally begins with the health and well-being of the people who grow, harvest and process the coffee at its source,” said Stockton Graham & Co. President and CEO Jeff Vojta. “Grounds for Health’s proven track record of working in coffee-growing communities to provide life-saving cervical cancer prevention and treatment, reinforces a shared commitment to keeping women on coffee farms healthy. We are delighted to partner with them on this critical mission.”

Since 1996, Grounds for Health has screened more than 57,000 women, treated more than 3,800 women and provided clinical training to more than 400 community health workers in Latin America and Africa. Grounds for Health works in partnership with health authorities, coffee cooperatives and others to train local medical staff and community health promoters and coordinate screening and treatment services. The organization leverages the Single Visit Approach model in which women can visit a health center just once for both screening and treatment. This method, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), is highly effective, economical and ensures maximum impact. Grounds for Health currently supporting programs managed by in-country staff in Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Peru.

About Stockton Graham & Co.®: 

Founded in 1994, Stockton Graham & Co. is a specialty coffee roaster and wholesale beverage, equipment and accessory distributor located in Raleigh, NC. We are committed to helping retailers build superior and successful coffee businesses. Stockton Graham & Co. is nationally known for roasting great coffee, developing customized specialty coffee programs, helping operators build successful businesses and creating and promoting coffee industry standards. For more information about Stockton Graham & Co. and its products, call 800-835-5943 or visit www.stocktongraham.com.

Media Contacts:

• Lane Mitchell, Stockton Graham & Co.®, 800-835-5943, mitchell@stocktongraham.com
• Grounds for Health®, 802-876-7835, info@groundsforhealth.org