"... That they are not products in which many chemicals are used, because the more we want to recover a child, the more we harm him. Instead, we try to make these products organic. ” Juan Xinic (JX)

In the Vipatná community, Chajul, Quiché, there is a local producer who has become fully involved in growing high-quality food for distribution to nearby schools. His name is Juan Xinic and this is his story.

Juan is 37 years old and for about 4 years he decided to stop working as an accountant, to dedicate himself to planting vegetables. He decided to change his trade because contact with nature is very important to him and, as an accounting advisor, he spent many hours locked up and in front of the computer. Such decision implied a high risk, since he did not know if he would be able to produce and sell what was necessary to generate the economic resources he needed. However, it turned out to be the best decision of his life.

"I am happy with what I do, I enjoy being here ... I am happy" (JX).

It has a rope and a half of land, which is very well used and is very productive. There he grows beans, onions, lettuce, peppermint, cabbage, tomato, potato, etc. In their municipality, clearly Ixil, families tend to plant corn and beans for their own consumption. The cultivation of fresh products is relegated to those who are dedicated to selling them and, many times, consuming them constitutes a luxury for families, since some of them are not sold locally, but are transferred to other departments of the country.

For some time, Juan has been part of the Save the Children project Nuestra Cosecha, which aims to link local producers with educational centers and thereby contribute to the effective application of the School Feeding Law. It is intended that schools receive fresh, freshly harvested products and that producers do not have to place their crops outside the community. In this way, transportation costs are avoided, which makes products more expensive and profits decrease.

“The project consists of (strengthening) the local economy. That one produces his product and that the money circulates in the middle. For example, that it be sold in schools ”(JX).

Juan affirms that the involvement of local producers in school feeding contributes to a healthy and pertinent diet for children, since they try not to use chemicals during the cultivation process and produce organic fertilizer.

"If I contaminate here, I am polluting the planet. If I'm doing a favor, a little bit, I'm doing everyone a favor ”(JX).

To be able to sell in schools, producers have to meet a series of requirements:

• be accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA);

• appear enrolled in the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT);

• issue invoices and pay taxes;

• offer quality products that meet sanitary standards and, preferably, organic;

• comply with delivery schedules.

The support that Save the Children provides to local producers consists of contacting them with schools, inviting them to fairs and congresses and giving them technical support regarding their relationship with educational centers.

“It is a great motivation. It has motivated me, for example, in my greenhouse ... Thanks to Save the Children they are recognizing me. Economically, it is helping greatly ”(JX).

Juan states that he has plans to continue investing in his personal venture, since he knows that he will get his money back. He is looking forward to expanding his business and continuing to offer quality products that are required by schools and the local market. It is certain that the alliance between educational centers and local producers benefits community development.

"I am grateful to Save the Children, because it is taking away our shyness, it is helping us to open doors."

"We are already being recognized ... Before we were unknown, we have relationships with other schools ... They themselves are congratulating us" (JX).

According to Juan, there are more producers interested in being part of the project, but they need technical assistance and training to be able to meet all the requirements and be able to approach schools and sell their products. He is convinced that for communities to develop, it is necessary to unite, support each other and generate local opportunities.

"Many people, let's say, go to the United States, I think it is because of a lack of opportunities. For example, right now I have no idea of going there, but rather I will produce. Obviously it gets into my head that my capital is the soil and we must take advantage of it. The good thing about that is that you don't have a salary limit, it's up to you how much you want to earn ”(JX).