Food Insecurity In Our Local Community and Around the World

Food Insecurity In Our Local Community and Around the World

Hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity are worldwide issues facing families, neighbors, seniors and students.  WFCF’s mission addresses public health issues in our community by cultivating equitable relationships between people and local farm land. We recognize that access to healthy food is fundamental to both physical and mental wellbeing. We envision a future where people have equitable access to the food of local, sustainable farms, and that vision very much includes our global community.

In 2022, WFCF’s Exec. Dr., Stacey Daley, was invited to participate in a panel discussion on food insecurity, which was co-sponsored by Regis College School of Health Sciences, Undergraduate Public Health Program, and Heart Sounds US, Inc. a Massachusetts-based not-for-profit organization that provides food, education and health programs in southeast Africa.

Just prior to the event, Dr. Richard Pulice, Professor of Public Health at Regis College and Board member for Heart Sounds US, introduced Stacey to Adolf Ssemuddu, a panelist, international Research Exchange Board, IREX, fellow from Uganda and a grantee of a Domestic Collaboration Grant, studying sustainable garden and farm programs. Adolf was researching for an agriculture project to assist women who live in extreme poverty with a modern kitchen gardening project which would empower women with income generating activities, improve food security and ensure sustainable and diversified rural livelihoods in Bulaga village of the Wakiso District, Uganda. 

We had the great pleasure to welcome Adolf to WFCF! He joined our farm team in the fields and toured the GROW community gardens.

Before his departure, WFCF Farm Manager, Andy, shared with Adolf just how thrilled we were when we found out we would be a stop on his trip and how much we enjoyed his energy and enthusiasm and that we all applaud his work - and that his passion for it became clear after sharing the better part of two days and a meal together. Andy told Adolf that had just made many new friends in Waltham and to let us know if there is any way we can support his endeavors.

Adolf shared that he learned a lot while he was here on the farm and that while WFCF’s scale is larger than what he’s working with in Uganda, that it gave him good ideas about what could be done if his work expands to larger acreage.

Community solutions were exchanged and our community expanded.

One year ago this month, our team had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Bernard Tabu, Ph.D., of Uganda and Senior Scientist, Heartland Water Technology Inc. Bernard is a lecturer and researcher in the department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Gulu University and holds an Energy Engineering- PhD in Renewable Energy, Plasma Engineering from UMass Lowell. He is also a Board Member of Heart Sounds alongside Dr. Pulice.

Bernard’s vast experience in solar and other renewable energy provided technical guidance for a ¼ acre pilot farm program with his brother in Uganda where maize and beans were cultivated with the intent to improve food security, create short-term employment, and promote sustainable farming in the region.

Despite challenges which included a two-week dry spell, pest and disease outbreaks, and crop damage from stray animals—the project yielded encouraging results. Dr Tabu was in Uganda from August to October 2024 and then returned to the US. At that time, corn and beans were still in the garden, and it was fascinating for them to see the crops grow. At the end of the season, 40 kg of beans and 108 kg of maize were harvested. Of the total harvest, 20% was donated to two local beneficiaries, while the remaining 80% was sold to fund future expansion. In addition to producing food and income, the project offered short-term employment and served as a platform for agricultural education for community members. With the farming project progressing well, a second phase aimed at expanding the farm and growing soybeans, a crop with strong market demand. The project incorporates both organic and traditional pest control methods and rely on a combination of animal traction and hand-digging techniques. This expansion will increase local employment, deepen community engagement and explore partnerships with other local farming organizations to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Heart Sounds US supported this vital pilot phase of the “Pur Manyen Project”— Bernard and his brother’s initiative in northern Uganda.

Pur Manyen means “new farming” in Acholi, the language of northern Uganda. The name reflects a commitment to moving beyond traditional methods toward innovative, sustainable agriculture that empowers local communities.

We hope that our farmers here in Waltham may be enhanced by future exchanges like these and we thank Heart Sounds US and Dr. Pulice for extending these community expanding introductions and new friendships. Please read on here if you would like to learn more about Heart Sounds US and support the Pur Manyen project as it scales up to 2 acres!