From Hunger to Hope: Coming Alongside Guatemalan Farming Families

It’s funny—no matter how many clever recipes or colorful veggie platters I try, getting my kids to eat their vegetables often feels like a heroic feat. Like many parents, I find myself negotiating, coaxing, and sometimes resorting to the old “one bite” rule just to get something green into their bellies. The struggle to help them expand beyond their go-to favorites is real. But here’s the thing: I have the privilege of endless choices in our grocery stores, and I know my kids’ plates are filled with nutritious options, even when they resist them.

In so many parts of the world, parents face a very different battle with nutrition—not because their kids won’t eat what’s offered, but because healthy, nutrient-rich food simply isn’t available. In Guatemala, where corn is a dietary staple, families face staggering malnutrition rates, with nearly half of the country’s children experiencing stunted growth due to nutrient deficiencies. But, thanks to an innovative partnership between One Day’s Wages and Semilla Nueva, hope is growing in the form of biofortified corn. This isn’t just about calories; it’s about real, vital nutrition that can help families break free from the grip of poverty and malnutrition.

Don Jorge, a farmer in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, knows this challenge well. Supporting a household of 17 people, his family’s diet was heavily reliant on traditional corn that lacked essential nutrients. Struggling with climate-related crop losses and low yields, his family often ran out of food within a few months after harvest. But with the switch to biofortified F3 corn, designed to resist drought and provide higher yields, Don Jorge’s family can now produce enough to feed everyone all year round. Today, he’s not only a farmer but a community advocate, showcasing the benefits of this nutritious corn to other farmers in his region.

In Chiquimula, Manuel, a young boy, has already benefited from these changes. Raised by his grandmother Katalina, who took up farming after her husband passed away, Manuel’s diet has transformed since she began growing biofortified corn. Now, he’s consuming corn that has 19% more iron, 35% more zinc, and twice the quality protein of traditional varieties. With this added nutrition, Manuel is more likely to grow up healthy and thrive in school, breaking the cycle of malnutrition and poverty that affects so many in his community.

Together, this partnership has improved nutrition and income for over 6,000 farmers and over 33,000 family members in Guatemala, with an impact reaching hundreds of thousands more through local markets. It’s a testament to the power of targeted, compassionate solutions to transform lives. By supporting initiatives like these, we’re not just bridging the gap between our worlds; we’re investing in lasting change, empowering families to secure a better future for their children. Join us as we come alongside communities and parents sowing hope through sustainable food and farming initiatives—because everyone deserves a fair chance at a healthy life.