COMPTON, Calif. — At Alma Backyard Farms, someone is always tending to the produce for their Sunday farmers markets. Co-founder Erika Cuellar created this urban farm in the middle of Compton to help feed the local community.
“I believe when plants are grown by humans and with soil and life around them, they actually have more nourishment for us,” Cuellar said.
Not only are they nourishing people, they are nourishing souls by hiring the formerly incarcerated, offering them a chance to have meaningful employment, while also giving back.
“The work that we engage in, and our partners engage in, is really satisfying that deeper hunger, not just of the stomach and the pallet, but the deeper longing. Every opportunity we create is paid, so folks are learning to earn an honest dollar while they’re also giving back and building community. With the support we get from Drew’s Cookies, we are able to provide training and financial support so folks can get on their feet,” Cuellar explained.
Drew Levich created Drew’s Cookies after he worked for consumer product companies over the years. He became tired of the corporate structure and always yearned for more. So, this isn’t just a delicious chocolate chip cookie company. Levich hopes to change the world by fighting climate change. Proceeds go toward planting trees and directly supporting organizations like Alma.
“I wanted to give folks an opportunity to give back, to have good treats, and to have something to share with friends that has a greater purpose. So, we started Drew’s for Change with the cookies and the popcorn, so we are engaging folks in philanthropy, while enjoying delicious snacks,” Levich said.
The packaging is compostable too. Levich wants his company to inspire big businesses to act on an even larger scale. “We wanted to be an example on how simple it is to be a changemaker,” he added.
Cuellar is grateful for any support, whether it’s monetarily or physically, saying, “There’s so many ways to get involved. I think that people are sometimes limited, so it’s looking at the bigger picture and how we remain connected to each other as humans.”
Connecting communities and creating change through something as simple as a chocolate chip cookie. Drew’s Cookies ships nationwide.