Trees That Feed Foundation

In December 2014 I was introduced to the Trees that Feed Foundation, and I was impressed with the group’s passion and dedication to help feed the hungry, save the environment and create economic stability through the gift of trees and a factory in a box. Mike and Mary McLaughlin have inspired me to do my best to change the world for the better, one person at a time. As the TTTF continues to work closely with Tacius Golding High School, I am confident that thousands of lives will be positively affected. This foundation deserves a standing ovation.

Trees that Feed Foundation is now an honorary member of Tacius Golding High.

I am a botanist and professor who conducts research on breadfruit and other underutilized crops. I reached out to TTFF in 2010 because I was very impressed with the work they were doing to promote and facilitate sustainable agricultural practices and food production in tropical areas where food insecurity is high. Since then I have worked with them on grants and provided scientific expertise. Recently I have become a board member and am thrilled to be able to contribute to TTFF's mission. They are a relatively young foundation but have already accomplished so much. They have provided tens of thousands of healthy breadfruit trees, valuable solar powered equipment to produce breadfruit flour, and training to communities throughout Jamaica, Haiti, and other countries. The founders are extremely passionate about their work and are active on the ground working with local communities, including school groups, farmers, and bakers. They are very conscientious about how they use their funding, so that not a penny goes to waste.

I am the administrator of a small rural university in Haiti, located in the Grand'Anse region. We have collaborated with the Trees That Feed foundation for several years. They have been instrumental in helping 3 of our students set up a small business producing breadfruit flour. They have furnished us with equipment and technical advice and have always been most gracious in sharing their resources with us.
What is also important is that they have shown a great respect for Haitian culture and the Haitian people, rather than imposing a model they have been good listeners. Their help in terms of marketing our product has been invaluable.

I recently had the privilege to volunteer for TTFF. They are supporting a great cause, and making an immediate impact in Haiti, Jamaica, Ghana, Liberia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Pakistan. I chose to volunteer for TTFF because they go a step further than most organizations. While the average organization simply provides temporary hunger relief, TTFF is creating a sustainable food source that will change families lives forever. As the foundation grows, they are also beginning to provide equipment and training to local farmers. TTFF hopes to teach local farmers how to propagate and grow fruit trees themselves, as well as produce products like breadfruit flour, thus creating jobs and boosting the countries' economies in the long term.

In addition to supporting a great cause, TTFF has a great team. I have never seen a more dedicated group, and I was consistently blown away by the passion that they exhibited on a daily basis. I have no doubt that TTFF will experience exponential growth in the coming years.

My husband and I are volunteers with Three Angels Childrens Relief (TACR) in Petion-ville, Haiti.
TACR runs a school orphanage, clinic and agricultural area.
Trees That Feed has partnered with TACR in multiple ways.
1. Donated a matching grant to build a large shade house to grow breadfruit trees and other food-producing trees.
2. Donated trees for the nursery
3. Has provided shredders and flour grinders for breadfruit, which is helping to establish micro-businesses
4. Provides extra breadfruit flour used to make porridge for the 300 students at the school

In the brief two years of this partnership the following has occurred:
1. children are being fed nutritious lunches
2. extra Haitian people have been hired to help run the agricultural area (commonly called The Farm)
3. TACR staff and other local Haitians have had the opportunity to buy trees at a low cost and sell them for income. This is the primary income for one woman.
4. Flour producing 'mini-businesses are being developed
5. Breadfruit chips and other recipes are being developed to feed the people and possible income opportunities.

Thank you Trees That Feed, you are making a difference!
Ann & Ed Rice

I am the chief plant propagator for the government of Jamaica we have benefited immmensely from TTFF in the introduction to new planting material to Jamaica