When asked what the most interesting thing he’s learned from being a PFS volunteer, Mark Molamphy quickly responded, “Although PFS is a remote volunteer model and there are challenges with not actually being on the ground, we’ve been able to provide real solutions to real problems for each project I’ve volunteered on. It might not seem like much but volunteering a couple hours a week can actually make a world of a difference for a PFS client.”

Mark Molamphy, a facility manager at Cargill's Indianapolis maize milling facility and an entrepreneur with his own start-up milling business said, “Through PFS we’re using an entrepreneurial mentality to find solutions, and we’re practicing adaptability and flexibility while implementing them.” On one project, Molamphy and a volunteer team from DSM and Cargill established a fortification unit for Lina Millers, a women-owned maize processor in Tanzania. Molamphy and his team needed to source and install a piece of microdosing equipment that was compatible with the existing equipment and plant layout. “Not being able to actually see the plant and experience the flow made developing a recommendation more difficult, but we were up for the challenge,” he said.  

During the beginning stages, the client shared pictures of the current set up and included a graphic that helped explain when and how the equipment was utilized. Multiple discussions regarding how the maize flour was mixed and blended followed, and a solution concept started being built out. “By utilizing the volunteers variety of backgrounds and varying plant experiences, we were able to recommend and help source a piece of equipment that would work for the client,” Molamphy said. “If we were to do this type of project at our companies, it would have been a relatively simple request. But, because we were working with an emerging food company, we had to think outside the box to research, source and deliver a piece of equipment that fit their specific needs and budget.”

 Lina Millers recently received the microdosing equipment that Molamphy and his team recommended and are working with a Bühler engineer to help install the equipment this year. Once the microdosing equipment is fully installed, Lina Millers will be able to fortify all three of their flour blends, comply with food regulations and expand their distribution footprint. Maize is the most widely consumed grain in Tanzania and now that Lina Millers has the capability to fortify their products with additional nutrients, they will be able to supply more nutritious products to a larger percentage of the population.

Opportunity is the foundation of Partners in Food Solutions, but it is innovation that drives us and sustainability that inspires us. Read about the amazing African entrepreneurs and volunteers that make our work possible in our new Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report.

READ THE REPORT

Check out our new Ardent Mills Impact Report HERE.

At our 10 year anniversary celebration last year we announced two new annual awards for PFS staff and volunteers to honor and perpetuate the legacy of two of our founders.

The John Mendesh Award will go the employee or volunteer that most exhibits the following traits: Boundless enthusiasm/results delivered with a smile. Clear thinking that leads to strong results. Creative problem solving.

The Peter Erickson Award will go to the employee or volunteer who most demonstrates the following traits: Tenacity and grit. Wisdom. Humility.  

We are pleased to announce the first ever winners of these two awards:

Please join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals for their great work and service on behalf of the PFS mission.  

PFS is excited to welcome Faith Ngila and Chenge Wandabwa to our team as Field Program Associates based in Nairobi. They will be working to support volunteers and clients with operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Faith has a rich background in international development, most recently with Kenya Community Development Fund. She is a published author and is currently working on her masters degree. Chenge spent the past five years working for One Acre Fund, a highly-regarded organization supporting  smallholder farmers in East Africa. He previously worked with the Kenya Red Cross and is also currently working on his masters degree.

PFS staff from headquarters, David Dayhoff, Amanda Traaseth and Magdalene Mbaga, along with Yvonne Akorfa Hormenoo, Field Program Associate in Ghana, gathered in Nairobi for intensive training in August. As a fun aside, they discussed getting a PFS "uniform" for the team. With a tradition of colorful fabrics and quick-turn around hand-stitched clothing common across Africa, the team had their "uniforms" ready to wear in three days!