Creating a Community-Based Food Security System
Across rural Philippines, thousands of families struggle with rising food prices, unstable incomes, and limited access to fresh produce. In these communities, even small shocks—like typhoons, crop failure, or hunger seasons—can push families deeper into food insecurity. ARK’s Feed Back program offers a powerful, dignity-based solution: a community vegetable exchange that transforms backyards into reliable food sources and neighbors into partners in resilience.
To support this growing movement, Earth Company provided a US$3,000 grant to Impact Heroes 2024 cohort member Ayesha Vera-Yu, CEO and Co-Founder of ARK, to strengthen the capacity building and peer-to-peer learning for up to two Wave 11 communities. The grant enabled ARK to run intensive Capacity Build Fiestas, conduct field visits, and train barangay councils and program teams—ensuring that local leaders are equipped to run, sustain, and scale Feed Back independently.
This support came at a pivotal moment. In Wave 11, ARK is working with 22 communities across 6 municipalities in 3 provinces, all striving to reach 80% household participation and graduate over 6,000 families into lifelong food security by January 2026. Through the fiestas, communities collaboratively set goals, designed Exchange operations, strengthened trust within their councils, and prepared to launch the 10-week Exchange series with confidence and heart.
At a Glance
Ayesha Vera-Yu, CEO and Co-Founder of ARK, is a visionary social impact innovator transforming communities in the developing world. Through Feed Back, a 16-week program developed by ARK, she breaks the chains of systemic binds, empowering small farmers to achieve food security and economic resilience. Families transition from monocropping to cultivating their food, fostering a community-wide vegetable exchange that not only satisfies local needs but also generates surplus for market sales. Ayesha’s low-cost solutions create self-sustaining and resilient economy in addressing hunger, and climate challenges.
Recognized as a World Economic Forum YGL, Ashoka Fellow, and leader in Facebook and Morgan Stanley’s accelerator programs, Ayesha leverages her expertise as a former Director at BNP Paribas. With an MBA from Columbia and a BA in Biochemistry from Mount Holyoke, she pioneers lasting impact in agricultural transformation.
Strengthened community leadership and readiness for Wave 11
Thanks to Earth Company’s grant, ARK delivered intensive capacity-building sessions for barangay leaders—deepening relationships, aligning goals, refining Exchange systems, and teaching impact tracking and operations. These fiestas became more than training; they became safe spaces for leaders to express gratitude, mend relationships, and recommit to their mission. Several councils described the sessions as “team building,” forging stronger bonds essential for stewarding food security in their villages.
By the start of Wave 11, all 22 communities had finalized schedules, venues, and operational plans, setting a strong foundation for the 10-week Exchange cycle. This strengthened capacity contributed directly to the program’s record-breaking early results.
Early surges in sign-ups, participation, and behavior change across Feed Back communities
With stronger leadership and improved preparation, Wave 11 communities achieved exceptional early performance. 5,123 families (68%) signed up by Week 5—far surpassing the historical average of 55%. Participation climbed from 28% in Week 1 to 39% in Week 2, with standout barangays reaching 86%–94% attendance among sign-ups.
Even amid typhoons, communities continued Exchanges, showing deep commitment and resilience. Families rapidly transitioned from scarcity to abundance, producing increasing yields through backyard gardens. One of them are Ana Marie from Bagtic, who harvested 29kg of vegetables in two weeks, transforming her family’s nutrition and income.
Behind these numbers lies a profound shift: families once hesitant or unable to grow food are now cultivating thriving gardens, sharing generously with neighbors, and feeding their children with dignity. Barangay leaders are already planning to sustain Feed Back beyond graduation, including allocating budgets for 2026.
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