Trees That Feed Foundation ’s Women’s Empowerment Program generates a steady income for women while building a marketplace that feeds people, creates jobs, and benefits the environment.

TTFF provides initial support in the form of free breadfruit products for 4 weeks, plus training material and guidance. Participants become entrepreneurs, buying and selling on their own.

Think of it as a loop within the community. Farmers, bakers, and vendors all make money without depending on foreign supplies or continued financial support.

The products sold in this program are konparets, a dense, cake-like bread made with nutrient-rich breadfruit flour and other locally sourced products. It has a long shelf life and requires no refrigeration.

The local leader trains the women in sales and how to save and reinvest in more product. TTFF provides a training guide for the leader covering economics, nutrition, and environmental benefits. The leader also records the sales of each group of women for one year.

TTFF is always looking for local organizations with whom to partner on this program. It is currently underway in three areas of Haiti.

When asked about suggestions for improvement, one woman said (in Haitian-Creole), “My advice for the program is that we find the possibility to help a lot more communities find the riches that we have discovered here.”