By The Hand: Austin Harvest
Families across the nation face numerous barriers to achieving optimal health, one of which is the existence of food deserts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes a food desert as “areas devoid of affordable access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other vital components of a healthy diet.”
The phrase “necessity is the mother of invention” resonates strongly with a group of students from a disadvantaged neighborhood in Chicago, who are connected through an inspiring after-school mentorship initiative known as By The Hand.
Recognizing the overwhelming presence of liquor stores compared to grocery stores in their area, these students decided to take action. Thus, Austin Harvest was born as an open-air pop-up market located at the site of a formerly looted liquor store, aiming to provide fresh produce to a community that desperately needed it. Rodney Williams, who serves as the Director of Entrepreneurship at By The Hand, explains, “Austin Harvest was initially intended as a temporary pop-up lasting just 12 weeks. However, we quickly realized there was a significant ongoing demand for fresh produce.” With this realization, the students were committed to transforming it into a sustainable initiative.
Now equipped with a permanent storefront, student entrepreneurs like LaQuintion Wooten are engaged in various operational responsibilities, from planning and staffing to inventory management. Wooten expresses the collective sentiment: “Austin Harvest has positively impacted my community, and it’s truly a privilege to be a part of this endeavor.”
Matriark
According to estimates from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 19 million individuals, or 6.1% of the population, reside in areas classified as low-income with limited food access—an alarming statistic. An even more concerning figure from the USDA highlights that food waste in the United States is estimated to account for 30 to 40 percent of the food supply. This level of waste not only signifies profound implications but also exacerbates environmental challenges.
Matriark Foods, spearheaded by founder and CEO Anna Hammond, is tackling these interconnected issues head-on. The organization specializes in upcycling surplus produce and byproducts into nutritious vegetable products benefiting schools, hospitals, and food banks. This approach effectively mitigates food waste, diminishes environmental fallout, provides affordable nutrition to underserved communities, and fosters steady incomes for farmers.
