By The Hand: Austin Harvest

Numerous families in America struggle to attain optimal health, largely due to the prevalence of food deserts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a food desert as areas lacking access to affordable and nutritious food options such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, which are essential for a balanced diet.

The adage “necessity is the mother of invention” resonates strongly with a group of students from an economically challenged neighborhood in Chicago, who were united through a groundbreaking after-school mentorship initiative known as By The Hand.

Witnessing that their community had a higher number of liquor stores compared to grocery outlets, these students chose to take action. They launched Austin Harvest as a temporary outdoor market located where a liquor store had been looted, aiming to provide fresh produce to an area that desperately needed it. Rodney Williams, the Director of Entrepreneurship at By The Hand, explains, “Initially, Austin Harvest was designed to operate as a short-term pop-up for just 12 weeks. However, it quickly became apparent that the community had an ongoing need for access to fresh produce.” Understanding the persistent demand, the students resolved to make it a permanent fixture within the community.

With the establishment of a permanent storefront, young entrepreneurs like LaQuintion Wooten will take charge of various aspects of the operation, including planning, staffing, inventory management, and ordering. Wooten’s excitement reflects the sentiment of his peers: “Austin Harvest has brought about a significant positive transformation in my community, and it’s a privilege to contribute to it.”

Matriark

According to estimates by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), around 19 million people, or 6.1 percent of the population, inhabit low-income areas that lack easy access to food—a concerning figure. An even more alarming statistic from the USDA reveals that approximately 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the US is wasted. This waste not only represents a significant loss but also has detrimental effects on the environment.

Anna Hammond, the founder and CEO of Matriark Foods, is addressing these intertwined challenges with a multifaceted approach. The company repurposes surplus farm products and by-products to create nutritious vegetable-based food items for schools, hospitals, and food banks. Through this process, they minimize food waste, lessening environmental harm, while also providing affordable nutrition to underprivileged communities and ensuring fair compensation for farmers.

“My passion lies in fighting food waste, supporting farmers, and promoting access to healthy food,” states Hammond. “Matriark Foods is committed to transforming food systems for the sake of future generations. We envision a reality where everyone can access healthy food, food waste is utilized rather than discarded, and farmers earn fair wages.”