Macedonia Foods

https://web.facebook.com/stephen.kashinde?_rdc=1&_rdr

https://youtu.be/XkuuM2twwtQ

If you have additional video content that explains your solution, provide a YouTube or Vimeo link here:

Which of the following categories best describes your solution?

Describe what makes your solution innovative.

Food insecurity is caused by population growth and rising food, transportation and agricultural costs. Local farmers, fishermen and specialty producers generally are not a good fit to be their own distributors to new markets. They lack the infrastructure, insurance, ordering, and accounting systems. They need another way to access wholesale markets directly and at a fair price so they could focus more on sustainable production practices and the quality of their products.

  We are creating solutions to ensure that consumers have access at all times to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active and healthy life at affordable prices.

  We have a unique approach that is both evolutionary and revolutionary, operating in free markets where success is measured not just in financial profits but also in the improvement of the quality of life. By valuing the three P’s (People, Planet, Profit) we are creating sustainable business models that operate differently than traditional nonprofits that is why by having a baked-in triple (social, environmental and financial) bottom line gives us a natural competitive advantage.

The organization is modelled as a social enterprise i.e. a business hybrid of for-profit and non-profit organizations. We blend for-profit best practices with non-profit missions and results by identifying new opportunities within a particular social problem, develop innovations that lead to promising new approaches, demonstrate accountability by regularly measuring performance and impact, and then secure predictable revenue sources that achieve financial sustainability.

Describe the core technology that powers your solution.

We intend to tap the potential of digital in the food chain (production, distribution and consumption) to increase supply chain efficiency through innovations such as:

• Precision Agriculture

This involves optimizing farming operations. Precision agriculture is a technology-based approach to farming management that observes, measures, and analyzes the needs of individual fields and crops. By allowing farmers to apply tailored care and manage water more effectively, it boosts production, improves economic efficiency and minimizes waste and environmental impact.

Recommendations can be adjusted in real time to reflect changing weather conditions. Soil sensors and aerial images help farmers manage crop growth centrally, with automated detection systems providing early warnings of deviations from expected growth rates or quality.

• Sourcing Decisions

Increasing forecasting accuracy with real-time data collection and analysis as well as integrated planning across the value chain for lowering response time and risks. 

Yield-forecasting and risk assessment tools can be used to determine the ideal mix of commodities in a country’s agricultural portfolio, taking into account productivity levels by region.

• Distribution Infrastructure

This involves

• Distribution centres and small vendor management, accounts payables, inventory and stock levels.
• Infrastructure network optimization such as warehouse location based on geospatial data/models
• Advanced analytics to identify key bottlenecks in infrastructure, e.g. car and truck monitoring. Automated systems showing status, performance and potential bottlenecks of critical equipment in real time can be used to optimize fleet management, thus increasing delivery reliability and preventing spoilage

Provide evidence that this technology works.

Precision agriculture was born with the introduction of GPS guidance for tractors in the early 1990s, and the adoption of this technology is now so widespread globally that it’s probably the most commonly-used example of precision ag today. John Deere was the first to introduce this technology using GPS location data from satellites. A GPS-connected controller in a farmer’s tractor automatically steers the equipment based on the coordinates of a field. This reduces steering errors by drivers and therefore any overlap passes on the field. In turn, this results in less wasted seed, fertilizer, fuel, and time. https://www.deere.com/en/index.html

Precision farming techniques are being usable and affordable Farmer using Precision Agriculture for Development's SMS platform to assess the level of Fall Armyworm infestation on his field in Western Kenya. Press image A farmer in Kenya uses his mobile phone to check levels of Fall Armyworm infestation in his field Share on Twitter (opens new window) Share on Facebook (opens new window) Share on LinkedIn  Charlie Mitchell October 15 2018

Precision Agriculture for Development (PAD), a Boston-based non-profit organisation, example, uses text messaging to teach farmers in western Kenya how to use agricultural lime — which helps combat soil acidity — as well as how to fight the fall armyworm, a pest that tears through crops and destroys livelihoods. PAD, which works in several countries including Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda, is one of a growing number of non-profit organisations and companies disseminating technology tools to transform the growing practices of smallholders

Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:

• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

What is your theory of change?

Impact chain

Objective: 1. Expeditious and favorable determination   of social injustice in food, health and sustainable development

Outcomes:           

• Healthy community design for health promotion
• Social policy to provide food to poor communities or guarantee minimum wage to farm workers
• Enable people to receive basic benefits and burdens of cooperation.

  Use of Outputs

• Promote a healthy community design nationwide program which serves to harness purchasing power and expertise of the health sector to advance the development of a sustainable food system.
• Low Income families and individuals will be assisted through a food aid program.

  Outputs

• Integration of healthy food and sustainable development in health care.
• Eligible low income families and individuals apply for food aid assistance for a period of time.

  Activities

• Advertise for application to shelters and rescue centres based on their need assessment and project requirements.
• Facilitate registration of low income families and eligible beneficiaries for food aid program.

Objective:2. Establish a National Network of Food Banks, Food Pantries and Grain Storage.

Outcome

• A network of non-profit organization member agencies spread out within the 31 regions in Tanzania.
• An established The Emergency Food Assistance Programme (TEFAP)
• A favourable tax-incentive bill/policy that encourages donations and contributions to tax-exempt food banks, pantries and other member agencies.

Use of Output

• Any church or other non-profit organization that would like to distribute food to the needy can sign up to use a Food Bank.
• Push for a bill internal revenue code, that if companies donate goods to a Food Bank, and the Food Bank adheres to certain requirements, the donor company is able to deduct an equal amount to its cost plus up to 50% of its normal profit.

Outputs

• Inclusion of member agencies to the Macedonia National Food Bank Network
• Application of tax benefits to Food Banks, manufactures, processors, large companies and partner organizations.
• Activities 

• Ordering commodities available to Macedonia Food Bank Network non-profit member agencies including; food pantries, shelters, day care centres, soup kitchens, juvenile and senior citizen residential programs.
• Coordinating delivery and storage of commodities.

Select the key characteristics of your target population.

• Women & Girls
• Rural
• Urban
• Poor
• Low-Income
• Persons with Disabilities

Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?

• 1. No Poverty
• 2. Zero Hunger
• 3. Good Health and Well-Being
• 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
• 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• 10. Reduced Inequalities
• 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
• 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
• 15. Life on Land
• 17. Partnerships for the Goals

In which countries do you currently operate?

• Tanzania

In which countries will you be operating within the next year?

• Tanzania

How many people does your solution currently serve? How many will it serve in one year? In five years?

The current number of people we are serving:

Currently Macedonia Development Group is providing food to poor communities especially to orphans and vulnerable children, who are in primary schools they are 3300 altogether. Watch the project videos start with this https://youtu.be/XkuuM2twwtQ

 Macedonia Fresh Food Initiative is an X million shillings public-private partnership that provides funding for Y no. of fresh food retail projects in 31 regions creating or preserving more than 5000 jobs and improving access to healthy food for more than Z no. million people.

Macedonia will in the course of time embark on Income Generating Activities to supplement donor funding with a view of growing to self-sustainability in the long run. This should already be happening at least in the 1st year of the Project, growing its capacity so that many beneficiaries million 2,218,492 are given the much needed support.

On the 2nd to 5th year of operations the organization will build and operate Local Processing Facilities – for small and medium-scale food processing, preparation and packaging. Will help food remain local throughout lifecycle and reduce leakage of food spending from the local economy. The facilities will also act as shared distribution service – to gather locally grown/produced food and deliver to 11,092,460 retailers through exclusive distribution agreements.

What are your goals within the next year and within the next five years?

      MEDIUM TERM (1 – 3 years)

1. Use Hoop houses and Greenhouses to Extend Growing Season: Increase the supply of local food produced and expands opportunities for community-food activities.
2. Establish a Macedonia Supported Agriculture (MSA) Program to Sell Directly to Consumers: To sell, or exchange for work, locally-grown food on a subscription basis.
3. Establish a Farmers Market: To facilitate direct sale between consumers and local farmers and gardeners. This does not require fixed infrastructure.
4. Expand Nutrition and Health Education at Schools: This could include after school programs build around gardens, cooking and fitness, school gardens that are integrated into the curriculum; and fresh produce for children to take home.
5. Establish a Local Food Policy Council: To identify barriers to a community-based food system, establish community vision and strategies coordinate efforts and advise policy makers.

  LONG TERM GOALS (3 - 5 years)  

1. Create a Pooled Macedonia Supported Agriculture (MSA) program: Provide locally-grown food for sale or exchange to local consumers on a subscription basis from a collection of farms.
2. Create a Food Business Incubator: A new organization or program to provide equipment, training, technical assistance, mentorship and other support services for aspiring new farmers.
3. Build Local Processing Facilities: For small and medium-scale food manufacturing, preparation and packaging. Will help food remain local throughout lifecycle and reduce leakage of food spending from the local economy.
4. Review Ordinances to Remove Barriers to a ‘Community Based’ Sustainable Food System: Review all zoning, municipal and other codes.

What barriers currently exist for you to accomplish your goals in the next year and in the next five years?

Macedonia Food Financing Initiative

With support of private and public investment, experiment with strategies to bring more grocery stores and other fresh food retailers to neighbourhoods without access to healthy foods. These efforts have proven to be most successful when they take a comprehensive approach to food equity that is focused on improving healthy outcomes, spurring economic growth, and supporting the development of local and regional food systems.

Macedonia Food Financing Initiative is modelled to be a first of its kind grant and loan program to encourage modern urban store formats in underserved neighbourhoods throughout the regions.

Large Retail Stores: they range from regional to national chains and have large operating budgets and opportunities for expansion. Large grocers enjoy several advantages that function as barriers to smaller, locally owned retail stores.

Small Retail Markets and Alternative Food Supplier: small retail markets can improve food access and quality in neighbourhoods with few or no large grocery stores. While the economic advantages of large stores are disadvantages to the smaller markets, small grocers do have distinct advantages. They can offer more personalized services and a greater sense of community. Their smaller pool of employees and customers allow for the development of personal relationships.

How do you plan to overcome these barriers?

However Macedonia Food Financing Initiative plans to level the field by providing;

• Access to Capital – start-up costs are a major barrier to entry in the retail market. The financing will take on a variety of up-front fixed costs including interior fit-out (e.g. installing shelving, cold storage and registers), hiring employees and employees and compliance with rules and regulations before they can open their doors to consumers. This can be in form or partnership, loan or franchise and will include an exclusive distribution agreement.
• Ability to offer Lower prices – through collaboration between large retail MSA(Macedonia Supported Agriculture) and processed food suppliers, Macedonia purchases shares in a farm or garden and partner with suppliers to cover anticipated costs. In return, shareholders (large retail) receive a portion of the farms produce often weekly or bi-weekly during the growing season.
• Corporate Services – this is where the link between large retail and small stores is established. Each of the large retail is linked and can provide a variety of benefits to their small satellite stores. The small urban stores will offer customer discount programs which vary between monthly and annual coupons 15 %– 30% savings to encourage repeat and track spending habits.

The small retail stores can utilize the parent corporation’s distribution infrastructure, which allows greater control over the delivery of products to stores.

Finally, food retail networks can use the parent corporation’s centralized business support services including research and development, legal, human resources and marketing services.

What type of organization is your solution team?

If you selected Other, please explain here.

Macedonia Development Group is a start-up organization that brings social innovation to persistent social problems with immediate focus on food & nutritional security

Macedonia Development Group name derives from the Bible the book of Acts16:9-10 meaning ‘help’ Macedonia Development Group was founded to provide social innovation by creating solutions to social problems that are more effective, efficient and sustainable and just than existing solutions for which the value created accrue primarily to the society as a whole.

  We integrate the ecosystem that is the businesses, NGOs, governments and individuals using entrepreneurship as a strategy to address social problems like poverty.

How many people work on your solution team?

Full-time staff 4

• Stephen Kashinde – Founder; Program design and support in vision casting.
• Melkior Prakseda - Overall Coordination of the project and giving creative input towards project strategy, approaches and expenditures. Ensuring that project keeps in line with donor and Macedonia guidelines.
• Elias Malubi - Accountant financial management oversight
• Michael Denna - Social Worker supports the admission, retention and discharge of beneficiaries by way making social enquiries

      Part-time staff 3

• Even Mpiluka
• Francis Radon
• Aziza Omary

  Other workers 3

• Anifa Ngonyani
• Rodgers kaleke
• Elias Hanga

  Total   10

How many years have you worked on your solution?

6

Why are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

Team’s skills, background, and experiences.

• Stephen Kashinde Degree of Business Administration at Atlantic International University (AIU) in America 2014 – 2016. Professional business administrator with background in sales, marketing, client relations, and financial management, also he is a founder of the Organization Macedonia Development Group
• Melkior Prakseda: Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, her experience Worked as Field officer assisting farmers especially youth to have practical knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices in Agriculture and build their Agribusiness skills. Her role the Program Manager: Overall Coordination of the project and giving creative input towards project strategy, approaches and expenditures. Ensuring that project keeps in line with donor and Macedonia guidelines.
• Elias Malubi: Pursued an MBA degree course in Finance and Banking at Mzumbe University (Formerly IDM Mzumbe) his experience worked with Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI)  Managing the funds of TAFORI (For both Government funded and donor funded research projects). His role accountant financial management oversight,
• Michael Denna: Master Degree in Sociology, St. Augustine University of Tanzania

His role the Chief Executive Officer Founder; Program design and support in vision casting.

        Worked as tutor at Saint Joseph’s College,

His role social Worker supports the admission, retention and discharge of beneficiaries by way making social enquiries.

The team is well equipped and has got enough working experience  as you see above the short description of our team, the best administrative structure that we have makes our team to be unique and the best, surely we are going to solve the problem

What organizations do you currently partner with, if any? How are you working with them?

To be considered for participation as a hunger relief partner, the organization must be qualified as a tax-exempt organization or be a church to which deductible contributions may be made. Other religious organizations such as mosques, temples also fall under the ‘church’ classification.

Types of Programs Eligible for Partnership

Food Pantry: an emergency food distribution program that provides bags of groceries on a regular schedule to people in need of emergency food. Food is consumed off-site.

Soup Kitchen: an organization that serves emergency meals to clients on-site and on regular scheduled days and hours.

Shelter: an organization that provides on-site meals in addition to emergency housing and other services (e.g. homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter)

Group Home/Rehabilitation Facility: on-site program specializing in specific areas in regards to clients needs. Examples are substance abuse recovery houses, homes for people with mental disabilities and facilities for troubled youth. Clients live on-site.

Day Care: a facility that provides child care during the day for children younger than school-age. Meals and snacks are served on-site at regular scheduled hours.

After School Program: a program that provides services to school-age children (tutoring and/or other enrichment programs) after school hours. Holidays are included in this category.

Elderly Nutrition: any program that provides services onsite for the elderly where meals or snacks are served. This includes councils on aging, congregate meal sites and adult day care centres.

What is your business model?

As an organization with focus on social problems and social justice, Macedonia Development Group pursues equal distribution of wealth; opportunity and privileges to all people especially the OVCs, senior citizens, HIVAIDS and Disabled persons. We created a Healthy Community Design program dubbed “Health and Wellness Food for All” that is promoting health in the society.

Macedonia does this by:

Build and create awareness of a Healthy Community Design that has three basic strategies of health promotion:

• Advocate: political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioural and biological factors all favour health to it. HWFA (Health and Wellness Food for All) is making these conditions favourable through advocacy for health.
• Enable: HWFA (Health and Wellness Food for All) is reducing differences in the current health status and ensuring equal opportunities and resources to enable all people to achieve their fullest potential.
• Mediate: HWFA (Health and Wellness Food for All) recognizes the need to engage policymakers; media; food and related industries; and public health, nutrition, environmental, and development professionals to contribute to solutions associated with the food system, including issues related to sustainability, nutrition and equity.

As recognized authorities on health and wellness, Macedonia is collaborating with hospitals to model healthy, sustainable food choices, and provide an ideal setting to inform patients and the communities about diet, human and environmental health.

Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, or to other organizations?