2024 AGO International Gleaning Symposium�

Ahndrea Blue�Making a Difference Foundation

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Passion to Profit through Partnership��Track 1: Building Your Network

Passion to Profit through Partnership����

• MADF’S BIPOC FARMERS’ HUB

Making A Difference Foundation Team���

Ahndrea L. Blue

Founder, President and CEO

Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

Aazan Ahmad

BIPOC Farmers Hub Coordinator

Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

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About Ahndrea Blue

• Ahndrea is the president and CEO of Pinnacle Equities Investments, (2002) a private equity investment firm, realizing 500 percent of its assets within one year. Ahndrea is also the Founder, President, and CEO of The Making A Difference Foundation (2003), an non-profit organization that makes a difference in the lives of others through funding economic sufficiency programs thorough out the world; distributing scholarships to under privilege youth, providing economic assistance to seniors and single parents, providing food (Eloise Cooking Pot Food Bank) and housing (Transitional housing program) to the homeless and low income veteran families and providing gifts of encouragement to people through the Joy Box Ministry.
• Ahndrea received the Compassionate Award City of Tacoma (2024), Wall of Honor, Roosevelt High School, Ford Freedom's Sisters Civil Rights Award, the 2012 Redeeming the Prophet Vision Social Award, Finalist for the 2012 Black Change Maker Award, Black Celebrity Giving, the 2011 Jefferson "Public Service" Award and 2010 Attorney Community Service Award from the Washington State Bar Association. She is also the 2008 recipient of National Black Philanthropist of the Year Award

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About �Aazan Ahmad

• Aazan is the BIPOC Farmers Hub Coordinator who brings knowledge, integrity and excitement to the team.
• He graduated from Berea College with an undergraduate in agriculture and natural resources with a double minor in creative writing and sustainability and environmental studies.
• Aazan’s passion for helping others has been a delight!

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MADF

• MADF, founded in 2003, is a nonprofit, charitable organization with the mission to make a difference in the lives of others, one person at a time, by helping them acquire the most basic needs: food, housing, encouragement, and opportunity.

• We have grown from providing scholarships and funding for third world humanitarian missions to direct services to clients in the Puget Sound region of Washington with several dynamic programs including Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank (ECP).

ECP

• The Food Bank is located in east Tacoma
• Serves 70,000 clients monthly
• Gives out 1.5 million pounds of food each month
• Largest independent food bank with the largest home delivery service in Pierce County!
• Provides food pantries through partnerships with 10 schools and 13 offsite locations
• Operates 3 mobile food banks

• Transitions Food Service for the Unhoused
• Motel Food Service
• Fresh Meals
• Summer Hot Lunches
• BIPOC Farmer Project/Beyond Organic
• Farm to Full Bellies

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BIPOC Farmers

The BIPOC farmer is almost extinct. For the BIPOC farmers who dares to continue in their heritage as farmers, they are faced with severe challenges. MADF’s Farm to Full Bellies program was born in 2022 to help the farmers thrive and to provide fresh cultural relevant food to clients.

CHALLENGES

Win-Win Partnership

• FARMERS

• FOOD BANKS AND COMMUNITY

(90 percent of clients qualify for free or reduced lunch)

Farm to Full Bellies

Farm to Full Bellies is designed to assist local BIPOC small farmers:

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• To achieve sustainability and growth through increase product availability and sales
• To create a stronger presence in the marketplace
• To ensure that the specialty, culturally relevant food they grown remain in the food system for BIPOC community at fair market price.

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BIPOC Farm Fresh Hub �&�Technical Assistance Program�

• This program targets small farm BIPOC businesses that grow/produce fresh, culturally relevant foods for the community. These foods include specialty produce, micro greens, herbs, and spices as well as specialty meat and halal items.
• This food is then purchased in bulk from these farmers by MADF to be given away to clients of the foodbank who are experiencing hunger, of which 70% are BIPOC and low income.
• It also helps the farms by gleaning still useable food that would otherwise go to waste and donating it to the food bank, which helps create tax breaks for the businesses while helping the community.
• Create jobs
• Creates retention and viability for local farmer’s businesses
• Creates a livable income for the farmer
• Provide much needed technical assistance to help businesses thrive (grant research/writing/reporting, credit lending and more
• Provide advance payment for crops
• Lend farmers our expertise

BIPOC HUB – TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

• BRANDING

• B. DEVELOPMENT

• Financial records, software, equipment, L/I, accounting software, policies and procedures, safety

• Customers, pricing sheets, Retail, wholesale, CSA, E-Commerce etc.

• Lack of Cash, equipment, staff, seasons, refrigeration, supplies, land

• Sales, How is this impacted with seasons? Growth, grants

• Business structure , Licenses, tax and legal structures etc.

• Identifying the product, logo, mission, value, E-commerce

• CHALLENGES

• STRUCTURE BUSINESS

• ACCOUNTING

PARTNERS

HOME OF THE FUTURE BIPOC FARMERS' HUB�

• The BIPOC Farmers' Hub is a space for farmers to have physical storage space along with office and conference space; in addition, there will be a microgreens growing room.

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• In addition to space, the hub will provide educational resources such as seminars and technical assistance including accounting, grant writing, marketing, and branding. 

�Meet the Farmers

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Juanita Chavarria

Owner of Baby Chavs

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Michael Twiggs

Garden of Eden Urban Farming

About Baby Chavs

• Founded in 2020 , Baby Chavs is an urban farm that believes in providing nutrient-dense produce while being environmentally sustainable.
•  We use both indoor and outdoor spaces to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. In addition to selling microgreens, we offer growing classes through our Microgreens for Everyone program. 

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• This year, we are expanding into farm plots to grow herbs and edible flowers, ensuring we continue to provide high-quality, sustainable produce to our community. Baby Chavs is committed to promoting self-sufficiency and providing fresh, locally grown produce that is accessible to all. 

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• Through our work, we hope to inspire a new generation of growers and entrepreneurs who share their passion for sustainability and healthy living.

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About Garden of Eden Urban Farming

• Michael Twiggs is a thought leader and innovator in the field of urban farming and sustainable agriculture. He is the founder, president, and CEO of Garden of Eden Urban Farming Inc., a company that specializes in indoor vertical farming and hydroponics.

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• Mr. Twiggs has extensive experience in technology, business, and sustainability, and has developed innovative solutions for sustainable food production, urban agriculture, and environmental stewardship. 

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• He is a sought-after speaker and consultant, and has worked with various organizations, governments, and communities to promote sustainable agriculture and urban farming practices.�

What are Microgreens?

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• Microgreens are young plants that are harvested typically within 7-14 days of germination.

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• They are different from sprouts, which are germinated seeds that are usually sprouted in water
• .Microgreens are grown in soil or a soil substitute and can be grown indoors or outdoors.

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• They are packed with nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and can contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their mature counterparts.

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• Microgreens are easy and quick to grow, making them an ideal choice for those who want to grow their own fresh produce but don't have a lot of time or space.

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• They are a sustainable choice, as they require very little water and resources to grow.

Thank you!

Contact Information

Ahndrea Blue

• Ahndrea@themadfseattle.org
• 253.212.2778