Edenesque is dedicated to upholding the principles of a triple bottom line company. For us, this entails a commitment to sustainability by offering genuine, nutritious, and delightful products; ethically and responsibly sourcing from local suppliers who share our values; and actively contributing to the empowerment and growth of individuals within our community.
The Edenesque Food Insecurity Initiative™ encompasses a comprehensive strategy for addressing food insecurity within our community. Recognizing the diverse and complex nature of individual circumstances, we reject a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we are dedicated to meeting people where they are, respecting their dignity and autonomy, and refraining from oversimplified narratives that promote a singular solution.
Upholding Our
Principles
At certain junctures in life, we all require external assistance during challenging periods. Life's trials can be formidable. Adversity isn't always indicative of personal shortcomings; it may encompass circumstances like: death, lapse in employment, debilitating illness, the impact of a justice-involved family member, inflation, gentrification, transportation limitations, or diminishing economic prospects to name a few.
As Founder and CEO of Edenesque™, I intimately understand hardship, having navigated it firsthand. I grew up with meager means, and as an adult I've encountered moments where support was essential for me to persevere.
Our
Multifaceted
Program
Reduce Food
Insecurity
Promote Nutritious
Food Access
Preserve Dignity &
Choice
Foster Independence
Strengthen Community
Support Systems
Support Sustainable
Farming Practices
Our initiative aims to ensure that individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Columbia County see a decline in their circumstances.
We prioritize sourcing the most nutrient-dense foods by collaborating closely with local farmers, ensuring that those in need have access to high-quality, nourishing options.
We are committed to supporting individuals and families facing hardship by offering them dignity, choice, and variety in their food options, empowering them to make decisions that best suit their needs and preferences.
Our initiative strives to help families, individuals, and justice-involved persons regain and maintain their independence, providing them with the resources and support necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.
We work in partnership with local agencies addressing food insecurity to deepen their reach and effectiveness, ensuring that our collective efforts have a lasting impact on the community.
We are dedicated to ensuring the sustainability and viability of Black and Brown farmers by providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive economically and environmentally.
By addressing these key objectives, the Edenesque Food Insecurity Initiative aims to create a more resilient and equitable food system that benefits individuals, families, farmers, and the community as a whole.
Our Local
Partners
Greater Hudson Promise
GHP strives to build an equitable community by providing opportunities and support to individuals and families impacted by systemic oppression and failures.
Sweet Freedom Farm
Sweet Freedom Farm grows and distributes vegetables, grain, herbs, medicines, and maple syrup to our community, prioritizing incarcerated beloveds and their families.
Wild Seed Farm
A Black and Brown-led intentional community, ecological farm, and healing sanctuary that focuses on transformative justice, earth stewardship and intergenerational responsibility. Fertile ground on which to plant our wildest dreams.
Columbia County Recovery Kitchen
The mission: to prepare and deliver nutrient-rich, balanced meals to vulnerable adults and children who have been referred to us by county social service organizations, public school social workers and the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement. CCRK prepared two hundred dinners the first week. Within a month, the number expanded exponentially and now is over 1500 meals each week.
Long Table Harvest
Pick up and deliver from farmers to local agencies. Their mission is to cultivate social and economic justice in the local food system through dynamic, inclusive and creative collaborations across our diverse rural community.
Soumppou Kaffo Farm a.k.a. Big Dream Farm
An agricultural-based space in Saugerties, NY that celebrates opportunities to serve communities by providing nutritious food with heritage and by stewarding the land. The first three seasons of Soumppou Kaffo Farm have focused on implementing good production systems on the 40 acres we steward, establishing a reputation in the local community, and beginning to form community partnerships with the West African Muslim community in NYC and Philadelphia.
Our
Actions
Include
Contributions
Committing to an annual contribution of at least $40,000 until the net revenue reaches above 1%, surpassing the initial $40,000 benchmark.
Donations
Donating 1,200 units of our nutritious milks for inclusion in weekly grocery distributions.
Marketing
Marketing efforts to increase awareness of the issue and encourage donations to the aforementioned organizations by providing direct donation links.
Employment
Employing a program director to facilitate logistics and establish a scalable and replicable program structure.
Utilizing this regenerative strategy to address the heightened issue in our community promotes sustainability, fosters social mobility, and bolsters our local economy. Ultimately, alleviating food insecurity not only enhances the welfare of individuals and families but also strengthens the economic dynamism and resilience of local communities.
How Our
Efforts
Contribute
Increased local spending/supports local economies
Increased health outcomes, lowered healthcare costs
Created employment opportunities
Enhanced workforce productivity
Strengthen Community Support Systems
Support Sustainable Farming Practices
Support Sustainable Farming Practices
When individuals and families have access to an adequate and reliable food supply, they have more disposable income to spend on other goods and services. This increased consumer spending can stimulate local businesses, leading to economic growth.
Food insecurity is often linked to poor health outcomes and chronic illnesses. By addressing food insecurity, communities can potentially reduce healthcare costs associated with treating conditions related to poor nutrition, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Lower healthcare costs free up resources that can be reinvested into the local economy.
By creating a scalable and replicable program this will increase the funding to local agencies and farmers while increasing workload and the need to hire individuals from our community.
Food-insecure individuals may struggle to maintain steady employment due to health issues, decreased cognitive function, and absenteeism. By providing access to nutritious food, communities can improve workforce productivity and reduce turnover rates, benefiting local businesses and the overall economy.
Proper nutrition is essential for brain development in children. When children have access to nutritious food, their cognitive abilities, including attention span, memory, and problem-solving skills, are enhanced. Food-insecure children are more likely to miss school due to health issues such as illness or fatigue. By addressing food insecurity, schools can reduce absenteeism. Addressing food insecurity in childhood can have long-term effects on educational attainment and future success. Children who receive adequate nutrition are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and secure stable employment, breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting social mobility.
Addressing food insecurity often involves supporting local food producers, such as farmers and food manufacturers. This support creates jobs and strengthens the local food system, leading to increased economic activity within the community.
When fewer people experience food insecurity, there is less strain on government-funded food assistance programs.
We invite you to join our efforts to sustain and expand the Edenesque Food Insecurity InitiativeTM.
With Love
Founder & CEO
Edenesque
