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Koborewa Corn Meal was founded by Emmanuel Nkurunzizi to fill a gap in the Boise market for members of the African Diaspora and LatinX communities seeking traditional corn meal. Koborewa Corn Meal uses sustainable, organic practices to grow their corn on land that Global Gardens, a Boise-based refugee farm organization, helped secure.
Approximately 23,500 pounds of nutrient-dense food were locally produced and sold in 2021
14.5 acres under sustainable cultivation, 3 acres are currently producing vegetables and most of the 2 acres in transition will be producing vegetable crops in the 2022 season.
Improved financial modeling and reporting, contributing to long-term business success.
Leveraged precision farming and regenerative agriculture techniques to reduce nutrient and soil run-off and protect water quality.
Avoided approximately 7,084 lbs of carbon dioxide equivalents by selling produce locally
With a $22,000 zero interest loan, Koborewa purchased a small-scale Meadows Mill stone burr mill and packaging equipment to ready the product for direct sale.
The new mill operation is located at Global Garden's Food Hub Facility. The cottage-style milling operation ensures that workers are honored as the center of the operation, by offering safe and fair wages and a meaningful connection to the customers and community. Koborewa Corn Meal planted their first crop in May 2023. Sales are available through regional farmers markets, CSAs, and an online store.
We have strong relationships with local farmers and deep knowledge in the local and regional food system built through our Food & Farm program, the Local Food Alliance. We are deeply familiar with local investing and able to provide the technical assistance required to prepare borrowers for financing.
Impact Idaho Fund objectives are primarily aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 – Zero Hunger – and 11 – Sustainable Communities. In pursuit of more resilient, regionalized food and agriculture systems, the Impact Idaho Fund Pilot will also consider critical impacts on land, water and energy resources.
SVIR envisions a resilient community with a nourishing regional food system, a healthy environment and a vibrant and equitable economy. Through the Impact Idaho Fund, SVIR catalyzes capital for regional resilience projects that advance local food security.
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