About

 

The Story Behind Shrimp Matters

 

In October 2018, our founder, Jeremy, embarked on his first-ever mission trip to Honduras. During his visit to impoverished communities outside Tegucigalpa, he and his team provided essential dental and eye care, distributed food, and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with those in need.

It was there that Jeremy met Agustín Garcia, a dedicated local volunteer performing eye exams for people who couldn’t afford care. Years earlier, a missionary optometrist from Florida had trained Agustín, equipping him with both knowledge and tools to serve his community. The two quickly became friends, and Jeremy stayed in touch with Agustín after returning to the United States.

 

A Vision for Sustainable Change

 

Upon his return, Jeremy began reflecting on how to create lasting impact in Honduras. While missionaries provided short-term relief, the cycle of poverty remained unchanged. He noticed that many Hondurans relied on external aid, lacking confidence in their ability to build self-sufficient lives. This deeply troubled Jeremy—he envisioned a sustainable solution that could empower local communities by creating jobs, generating income, and providing essentials like housing, food, and clean water.

Inspired by a coworker’s story about tilapia farms funding orphanages and hospitals in Guatemala, Jeremy researched similar models and reached out to Agustín. To his surprise, Agustín had been contemplating the same idea for years. However, after conducting research, they realized that tilapia farming wouldn't thrive in Agustín's region—but shrimp farming could be a perfect alternative along the Honduran coast, just three hours from Tegucigalpa.

 

Turning Vision into Reality

 

Agustín soon identified four ponds available for lease, capable of housing 1.3 million shrimp larvae, which could be harvested in just four months. He also mapped out employment opportunities—three people could be hired to oversee the farm, ensuring its success. Most importantly, he knew exactly where they could sell the shrimp.

Jeremy shared his vision with his local church, boldly challenging 70 people to contribute $100 each to launch the project. As he spoke, something remarkable happened—a woman approached Jeremy, moved to tears. Just the day before, she had generously paid for a stranger’s shrimp cocktail at Red Lobster. Another diner, inspired by her kindness, handed her $100 and encouraged her to "pay it forward for something greater." Now, hearing Jeremy’s story about shrimp farming, she knew exactly where that money needed to go. That moment solidified the mission’s name: Shrimp Matters—a reminder that even the smallest things can make a profound difference.

 

Making a Lasting Impact

 

Through God’s provision and community support, Shrimp Matters secured funding to launch its first four-month cycle. The January 2020 harvest was a success—5,500 pounds of shrimp were sold, and the profits went toward school supplies and shoes for local children, fulfilling one of Agustín’s long-held dreams. Additional donations helped fund the construction of new homes.

Since the pandemic, Shrimp Matters has continued its mission by purchasing shrimp from existing farms and selling them in Tegucigalpa. Every dollar of profit is reinvested into empowering Honduran communities through sustainable small businesses—including an optical shop, providing crucial eye care to those in need.

At Shrimp Matters, we believe that even the smallest actions can lead to life-changing impact. Together, we’re building a future where Honduran communities thrive—not just survive.