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Making a difference one grain at a time

1 min read

Graduate students Aleem Ahmed and Caroline Mauldin are benefitting two countries with a single grain.

Ahmed and Mauldin launched Love Grain last year to produce gluten-free cereals, pastas, and pancake and waffle mixes all made with teff — a high-protein, high-fiber grain that’s a staple in the Ethiopian diet.

“I am impressed with Love Grain’s commitment to the small hold farmers that grow teff in Ethiopia,” says Amy Davies, director of MPA Programs. “It’s been a pleasure to watch Love Grain grow as a result of Caroline and Aleem’s good work, and a pleasure to eat the pancakes — as I can personally attest that they are delicious.”

Love Grain was inspired by Ahmed’s experience working for the Teff Value Chain Program at the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, where he helped three million farmers increase their yields. In the process, Ahmed learned that some seven-million teff farmers lack a market for their grain.