Club Meeting: Trees that Feed

Trees That Feed Foundation: Planting Breadfruit Trees for Food, Jobs, and the Environment

Planting trees is good for the environment. But planting fruit trees has the added benefits of fighting hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Trees That Feed Foundation focuses on tropical breadfruit, a nutrient-rich and versatile staple food. Learn how this local nonprofit enables its beneficiaries in countries like Haiti to become self-sufficient.

Mary McLaughlin grew up on a farm in Jamaica. She had a varied career as a geologist and an artist. In 2008, Mary created Trees That Feed Foundation, with the mission of planting fruit trees to feed people, create jobs and benefit the environment. Trees That Feed Foundation has distributed over 300,000 fruit trees, supplied more than 250,000 meals to schoolchildren, and supported smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs in 20 countries. Their focus is on breadfruit trees. Mary lives in Winnetka with her husband, Mike, co-founder of TTFF, and near her children and grandchildren.