Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Blanton.
Hi Andrea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I recall assisting my father, grandmothers and a neighbor in the kitchen by picking greens or measuring ingredients as a little girl. This gave me a foundation in understanding the importance of preparation and the ritual of food. In high school, I became “aware” of my food choices and how they affected my body. While a student at Spelman College, I organized classmates around healthier food options and taught nutritional workshops. I also led a vegan lifestyle as a member of the African Hebrew Israelites and prepared raw food and smoothies. After having two children, I needed a place to process my postpartum emotions. I had gone from working for Stacey Abams and the Atlanta Dream to a stay at home co-parent. I began volunteering at Truly Living Well’s Urban Farm and realized one of my callings was in local food.
In 2013, I obtained a certificate in Sustainable Urban Agriculture from HABESHA Inc. Shortly after graduating, I served as one of Georgia’s first FoodCorps service members, teaching youth the importance of gardening and healthy food options. I started managing farmer’s markets and offering food demos. I also wanted to help women in their pregnancy and birth journeys and gained a certificate as a Community Doula from Families First of GA. I assisted friends and community members in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and birth. My own postpartum phase shed light on the benefits of herbs and teas. I began to craft tea blends and offer tea ceremonies. By merging the importance of food ritual, awareness of herbs and grounding in the local food community, I formed FOOD EARTH BIRTH. FEB empathically offers earth-based services to provide the recipes of natural life via hyper-local small seasonal catering, herbal tea ceremony, school garden education and birth work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
You know, I liken it to a Michael Jackson video. When he is walking down a stone road and the stone tiles begin to light up with each step. I have honestly been given grace and gifts each step. I would say my hardest challenge has been myself. Stopping my own progress by doubting my abilities and influence. Or not asking for assistance. I’ve realized that help may come from someone or something I least expect. That help doesn’t come in the form you expect. It may even exceed you own expectations.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Food Earth Birth?
FOOD EARTH BIRTH is a small company rooted in earth-based services, including small seasonal catering, herbal tea ceremony, garden education and natural birth work. While honoring the earth, we center on environmental sustainability and local economy. With a reverence to earth and honoring the traditions of our fore-family, FEB offers small seasonal catering and tea ceremonies. FEB has assisted school districts, organizations, businesses and families in learning the basics of gardening and stewarding the land. We share the healing magic of working with the soil, learning the science of it all and aiding others in discovering new possibilities in loving the earth.
Our birth services meet the parent and family where they are to empower her/him/they and advocate for her/his/their needs in pregnancy and birth. Overall, our offerings center the earth and healthy options to achieve the desired goal. We specialize in a down to earth, back to the basics compassionate services when it comes to food, teas, garden education and birth work. We are known for our tasty seasonal tea blends, cool farm to school lessons and easy birth knowledge. We want your readers to know that living a local healthy food life for self and family is easy and dope. The question of “how can I be healthier? how can I connect to earth? how can I learn about going food?” is answered through many of our services.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My Spelman Sisters who have believed in my health goals. All the members of the Fort Negrita Co-op are tribe to me. For almost seven years, we have supported each other’s efforts in living a sustainable community centered life. From that foundation, herbalists like Mystic Roots, Third Moon Botanica and Cherokee Moon Mixology assisted me in diving deeper into herbs. Farmers from HABESHA Inc, Mena’s Farm, Freewheel Farms, Grow Where You Are, Chattahoocee Queen, Patchwork City Farms, Sparta Gardens, Love is Love farm and Crack in the Sidewalk Farmlet have offered amazing locally grown food for our catering and food demonstrations. Community Farmers Markets and Organix Matters have been huge in not only supporting my business but also my professional development in local famer’s markets. Khari Diop of Think Green Inc. for continual inspiration and emergency support.
Also, the Bishop, Tricia Hersey, of The Nap Ministry, have supported our tea blends by commissioning us to make their official tea blend and believing in herbal healing. Cate Powell of Moms of Atl has strengthened my faith in humanity and the stories we share. My biggest teammates are my children. They have picked greens, stuffed tea bags and helped me prepare for births. My biggest clients have been The Nap Ministry, Clayton County Public Schools, SPARK reproductive Justice Now, Red Bike and Green Atlanta, Lead to Life, Nourish Botanica, formerly Arbitray Living, Semente Farms, Food Well Alliance and HABESHA Inc.
Pricing:
- $15.00 Womb/Prostate Wellness Tea Blend
- $15.00 Womb/Prostate Wellness Tea Blend
- $22.00 “Rest Yo’Self” The Nap Ministry Tea Blend
- $30.00 – $800 Doula Services
- $30.00 Garden Consultation
Contact Info:
- Email: info@foodearthbirth.com
- Website: www.foodearthbirth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/food_earth_birth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodearthbirth
Image Credits
LC Morissette Photogrpahy, Captured by Light Photogrphy.
