A trip to the Bahamas five years after Hurricane Dorian revealed the fruits of the labor of many Trees That Feed Foundation partners and beneficiaries.
Co-founders Mary and Mike McLaughlin’s visit to Abaco and Nassau was a learning experience that will enable TTFF to refine its model. Equally as important, it provided accountability for TTFF and for YOU, our essential supporters!
Upon arrival, Mary and Mike participated in a breadfruit tree planting ceremony featuring Bahamas’ First Lady Ann Marie Davis, with whom TTFF has been working for over a year. Passionate about food independence, Lady Davis is a strong advocate of breadfruit. The tree and the fruit are becoming more abundant and appreciated on the islands thanks to her and many others, including hard-working farmers.
Visiting farms is always an enriching experience for the TTFF team. In Abaco, Mary and Mike enjoyed exploring the farm of Mrs. Debbie Burrows, as well as Abaco Big Bird Family Farm, Driftwood Food Company, and Abaco Neem. This was an opportunity for observation, comparison, and discovery.
All four farms were recipients of the breadfruit trees TTFF sent to the Bahamas in 2020 to help reforest the nation after the hurricane. Four years later, an examination of the trees, as well as their care and environment, uncovered interesting results.
TTFF’s opinion that breadfruit trees love people was reaffirmed! The trees planted near homes, where kitchen scraps and water are disposed of, grew quickly and fruited abundantly. Also reconfirmed was the belief that biodiverse agroforests provide a healthier environment than monoculture orchards do. Mary and Mike saw that when trees share space with animals like chicken and pigs, they thrive. However, overfertilizing results in less fruit. Every farmer helps improve TTFF’s strategies by sharing their experiences.
The McLaughlins enjoyed collaborative sessions with several other people who value breadfruit. Special mention goes to Pericles Maillis, who plants breadfruit and many other fruit trees on New Providence island; Errington Thompson of AACARI, dedicated to helping farmers throughout the Caribbean region; Glen Smith who manages several community gardens; and of course Danielle Hanek of the Bahamas Forestry Department. Combined public-private efforts are integral to achieving food independence on the islands.
Thank you to the many Bahamians who warmly welcomed Mike and Mary. And thank you to everyone who makes the mission of Trees That Feed a reality in the Bahamas and beyond.
