Creating A Food Business Model: Case Study of Traditional Drinks Made From Roselle, Millet, And Corn

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive process flow for establishing a small food business, using traditional drinks made from millet, roselle, and corn as a case study. The specific objectives were to (1) identify the steps involved in developing a food product, (2) perform a sensory evaluation of the developed drinks, and (3) develop a prototype business plan to commercialize the most preferred drink. This study adopted a case study approach of a food business in producing traditional beverages. Consumer preferences were evaluated through sensory evaluation of the formulated roselle, millet, and corn drink recipes. Consumer evaluation data were collected during the 2023 Professional and Agriculture Workers Conference from students, staff, faculty, farmers, and professionals at Tuskegee University and the Renaissance Hotel. Sensory evaluation was conducted to gather consumer feedback on visual appearance, taste, flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability, using a 7-point hedonic scale. Sensory data were collected on the Tuskegee University campus in Henderson Hall, the post-harvest center, and John Kenny Hall. Stata was used to analyze the data according to this study\u27s objectives. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means, frequencies, and percentages. The selling price was determined using cost-based pricing with a 25% markup. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted to assess the economic viability of production and commercialization. The consumer sensory evaluation showed that the Millet drink received the highest overall acceptability score (5.75) and was rated highest in taste (5.69), flavor (5.43), and aroma (5.63). However, it received the lowest score for visual appearance (4.64). The roselle drink had the highest score for visual appearance (6.31), likely due to its vibrant color. However, it had the lowest scores for taste (4.69), flavor (4.83), aroma (4.97), and overall acceptability (5.10). The corn drink was ranked second in all attributes. With a mean score of visual appearance (5.45), taste (4.97), Flavor (5.07), Aroma (5.61), and overall acceptability (5.34). A one-way Analysis of Variance revealed a statistically significant difference (p \u3c 0.05) in overall acceptability among the drinks. Post-hoc analysis using Tukey’s HSD indicated that the millet-based drink had the highest acceptability rating, making it the preferred choice for further product development and commercialization. The results from the pricing analysis indicated a selling price of approximately $2.73 for a 350ml bottle ceteris paribus, demonstrating competitiveness with similar beverages on the market. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.25 confirms that the business is financially sustainable, with a 25$1.00 spent generates $1.25 in return. The results revealed that consumers discover new food products through grocery store displays (43.36%), online reviews (32.74%), social media (57.28%), food blogs (23.01%), and word of mouth (67.26%). Additionally, the results indicated that 84.07%, 37.17%, 23.89%, 34.5%, and 50.44% of participants preferred to purchase millet drinks from grocery shops, convenience stores, online, health food stores, and farmers\u27 markets, respectively. Based on these findings, a business model was developed for commercializing millet drinks. The developed business model addresses common challenges small food businesses face, offering strategic solutions to enhance their chances of success. This study\u27s comprehensive business model is a valuable resource for food entrepreneurs, ensuring that all aspects of product development and commercialization are addressed effectively

An Evaluation of Record Keeping and Related Skills Training for Small Farm Producers in The Alabama Black Belt

The purpose of the study was to evaluate record keeping and related skills training for small farm producers in the Alabama Black Belt. The specific objectives were to (1) examine socioeconomic characteristics, and (2) describe and assess the extent to which participants view training and how they have used the knowledge they acquired by participating in the sessions. The data used for the study were derived from a group of small farm producers in the Alabama Black Belt using convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation analysis. The results showed that most of the participants were part-time producers (78%), males (74%), Blacks (91%), and 55 years or older (52%). A majority had a four-year college degree or higher (56%), with 78% having some college education or more; and 52% reported household incomes of $40,000 or higher. Also, 70% of the participants attended the workshops to improve their farms’ performance. All the participants rated the sessions positively, with 91% rating them “excellent” or “very good.” A majority (87%) also reported applying the knowledge gained, especially in record keeping and financial management, farm management and production, and marketing and sales planning. Additionally, a majority indicated that the most beneficial aspects of the workshops was tracking of records and finances, as well as sharing information and networking. Correlation analysis revealed some statistically significant relationships between demographic characteristics and selected views and/or reactions to the workshop. For example the relationship between age and selected views and/or reactions to the workshops showed a negative and significant relationship between reasons for participation, overall provision of the workshops, and how well workshops met expectations, and whether they had used the information. Also, the relationship between farming status and selected views and/or reactions to the workshops had negative and significant relationships with reason for participation, overall provision of the workshop, and how well the workshops met expectations. Further, the relationship between education and selected views and/or reactions to the workshops had a positive and significant relationships with the reason for participation. The study suggests that age, farming status, and education may be of importance in views and/or reactions to producers’ participation in record keeping and related skills training for small farm producers. These findings reflect short-term impacts. However, further studies are suggested to evaluate long-term outcomes

Sustaining the Legacies of Black Farmers

The experience of Black farmers in the Southern United States is shaped by a legacy of racial inequity and unfavorable public policies that have all but ensured unequal access to fundamental resources such as land, labor, and capital. Rural poverty and land loss through heir property have encumbered access to these resources. Within this context of disenfranchised generations of history, this article contributes to examining and understanding the experiences of Black farmers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to amplify the voices of Black farmers as a step toward providing context for a more inclusive and meaningful discussion on social equity and justice. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to discuss the sustaining legacies of Black farmers. It documents the experiences of two Black farmers from Mississippi and Alabama through interviews, which indicate the posture and perceptions of the small-scale Black farmer in the South

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund: An Advocate For Equity in Disaster Relief Programs

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund has a history of assisting predominantly Black farmers and rural communities, especially the rural South. It also supports farmers during disasters and advocates for equitable distribution of resources, especially from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Black farmers. For instance, the Federation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic provides evidence of how the impact of disasters in the rural South can be mitigated if Black farmers are an integral part of the relief process. This paper provides a history of the role the Federation has played in several disasters, including hurricanes as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on three objectives; discussing the need for an alternative to a discriminatory agricultural system, history and experience to address problems of disasters, and a study on dealing with COVID-19. It concludes that there are possibilities for providing equitable and inclusive relief assistance to all stakeholders

Meeting Farmer-Member Challenges During the Covid-19 Pandemic Through Direct-Resourcing and Agroecological Work Brigades

The Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Black farming and rural lifeways in the Southeast and U.S. Virgin Islands. The COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges for SAAFON’s members, exacerbating the existing structural conditions that make farming challenging for Black farmers. These conditions include climate-related disasters, economic disparities, lack of political investment, racism, and related discrimination. In this paper, the author presents the activities that SAAFON has undertaken to address the impact of the pandemic on its members. It provided funding for its members and launched a series of farmer brigades to build infrastructure and meet labor needs within its membership through mutual aid, cooperation, and collectivism. Its activities demonstrate the power of responsive and direct resourcing of farmers, coupled with the cultural strategy of collective labor as a potent tactic for meeting the needs of Black farmers during a crisis

In Times of Need the Land Always Provides, and Being Queer Don’t Hurt

In uncertain times, Black and Brown folks look to each other for mutual aid because they cannot rely on societal structures and governments to support their communities. The necessity of self-reliance is especially true for those located in rural areas. This paper engages the theme of queerness as a lens to explore Black survival strategies used regarding the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper further explores the narrative of Alsie Parks, a Black Southern agrarian native, and her non-nuclear family as they embraced non-traditional ways of being, land-based practices, and the importance of crafting kinship to find both nourishment and physical security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it briefly discusses the Lindsey Lunsford Story, the co-author, who provides a perspective on queerness, among other issues. The paper concludes by providing insights on how queer Black farmers can survive and embrace themselves and bring resilience to the Black agricultural experience

Fringe Farming: A Family’s Transition Into Fiber Through Seasons of Change

The intersection of fiber production and Black agrarian arts has deep historical roots. Small-scale and peri-urban farmers find themselves against the borders of urban and industrial agriculture. Also, the COVID-19 global pandemic was a tipping point for many small farmers. It brought the importance of sustainable agriculture into a clearer view. Today, a growing movement of small producers is working to bring local fiber and textile production back into the agricultural lexicon. This article tracks the evolution of High Hog Farm and returning-generation Black family farmers and their transition into natural fiber and dye production. This focus is associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and a family’s transition from full house to empty nesting. Through navigating transformative shifts in its journey, High Hog Farm is forging ahead with resilience, building new opportunities for the future that continue to honor and reflect history and heritage rooted in Black agrarianism

Black Women Farming Sustainably: Carrying Their Legacy in the Deep South Through Crisis and Beyond

An African proverb underscores the role of women in communities: If you teach a man, you educate an individual, but if you teach a woman, you educate a nation. Women play a crucial role in maintaining family farms and community ecosystems in the Deep South. This case study explores the history and roles of two Southern Black women farmers. The study seeks to amplify women’s voices by examining the cultural context from which they operated, the families and generations they influenced, and the obstacles they navigated while operating in a male-dominated industry. Their collective experiences highlight the need for shared language, clearer knowledge transfer from the organizations that support minority farmers, and respect for the practitioners of indigenous farming practices. By exploring the role these women have played in synthesizing their heritage in a meaningful way, a narrative is developed that instructs the agricultural support systems while inspiring future generations