This Thanksgiving holiday, I am reflecting on the awesome power of teamwork.
In December 2020, we had an idea: What if — instead of buying the many thousands of dollars of food relief that we distribute each year across Tanzania from local markets — we instead purchase grains from small-scale farmers (like the struggling families of many of our Unite Scholars)? Could we provide small-scale farmers with a fair and secure market for their crops; deliver those grains to our own headquarters; process those grains through our own mills; package the final maize flour, maize grits, and processed rice under our own brand; market and sell those healthy and affordable staple food products across the country (and beyond); and create full-time employment and internships all while running a sustainable and successful business? The resounding answer has been — thanks to our tireless and most talented team — YES! This is the story of the Tanzanian-women-owned social enterprise, the Unite Food Program.
The UFP timeline:
December 2020: The idea for Unite Food Program (UFP) was born.
January 2021: The strategic planning began with UFP Advisor Mr. Romanus Mtunge. Business plans were written, and team leaders were assembled.
February 2021 - June 2021: UFP headquarters was constructed in Kunduchi, Dar es Salaam. The campus includes a manufacturing building with two mills; a fully equipped staff office; a kitchen and library; two storage rooms; toilets, showers, and changing areas; a 10,000-liter water tank and a 5,000-liter water tank; a stock room; a storage room for the Agro-Z bags and extra materials; two three-wheeler vehicles and a bajaji; and improved road; and a thriving garden.
July 2021 - present: Grains has been procured and transported to UFP for processing, and UFP products have been sold to customers across Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. In these past 17 months, the growing team at UFP has accomplished a feat I only dreamed was achievable (especially in the face of a devastating drought and a nearly failed harvest).
Purchased: 860,000 kilograms of maize; 13,500 kilograms of rice; 300 kgs of beans and 200 kgs of groundnuts. (Note: To meet demand, crops are purchased from suppliers across Tanzania as well as small-scale farmers. UFP uses the hermetically-sealed Agro-Z grain storage bags to ensure no pesticides or chemicals are administered post-harvest.)
Sold: 536,000 kilograms of maize flour; ~300,500 kilograms of maize grits; 12,500 kilograms of rice; and 300 kgs of beans and 200 kgs of groundnuts.
November 2022: Two national television media outlets (Upendo Media and ITV) visited UFP HQ to film and run news stories about the work, and our team continues to grow the markets across Tanzania and Zanzibar as well as now potentially Uganda (it’s unfolding as I write). The dream continues to manifest in extraordinary ways, and we are all grateful beyond measure.
Our mission continues to be to grow UFP not only to serve more small-scale farmers with a fair market for their crops and through the provision of Agro-Z bags but also to bring healthy food to markets across East Africa and provide employment opportunities to the best and the brightest.
Together, all things are possible!
Instagram: @unitefoodprogram, @unitenz