How I Built a Machine That Feeds Millions | Felix Brooks-church | TED

I'm willing to bet that all of us this I'm willing to bet that all of us this week ate a meal that contained at least week ate a meal that contained at least week ate a meal that contained at least one of these ingredients. one of these ingredients. one of these ingredients. Salt, Salt, Salt, edible oil, edible oil, edible oil, flour. flour. flour. No matter where you live in the world, No matter where you live in the world, No matter where you live in the world, you're cooking with that. That's the you're cooking with that. That's the you're cooking with that. That's the foundation of everything we eat. foundation of everything we eat. foundation of everything we eat. That's why it's called staple foods, and That's why it's called staple foods, and That's why it's called staple foods, and that's why they're so important. that's why they're so important. that's why they're so important. If you want to get nutrients into If you want to get nutrients into If you want to get nutrients into people, the most efficient way isn't to people, the most efficient way isn't to people, the most efficient way isn't to change the food that they eat, change the food that they eat, change the food that they eat, but instead to improve the daily food but instead to improve the daily food but instead to improve the daily food that they already rely on. that they already rely on. that they already rely on. That's the idea, and that's the idea That's the idea, and that's the idea That's the idea, and that's the idea behind food fortification, something I behind food fortification, something I behind food fortification, something I know a lot about. know a lot about. know a lot about. We probably all benefited from this We probably all benefited from this We probably all benefited from this already this morning and didn't even already this morning and didn't even already this morning and didn't even realize it. realize it. realize it. If you ate eggs cooked in oil, that oil If you ate eggs cooked in oil, that oil If you ate eggs cooked in oil, that oil had vitamin A. had vitamin A. had vitamin A. Had toast, that bread had zinc and iron. Had toast, that bread had zinc and iron. Had toast, that bread had zinc and iron. Even the salt that you sprinkled onto Even the salt that you sprinkled onto Even the salt that you sprinkled onto that breakfast was iodized. This isn't that breakfast was iodized. This isn't that breakfast was iodized. This isn't some overly processed GMO approach. This some overly processed GMO approach. This some overly processed GMO approach. This is simple, safe, proven science, and is simple, safe, proven science, and is simple, safe, proven science, and it's about 100 years old.

it's about 100 years old. it's about 100 years old. In fact, malnutrition caused by lack of In fact, malnutrition caused by lack of In fact, malnutrition caused by lack of nutrients has all but disappeared in nutrients has all but disappeared in nutrients has all but disappeared in countries where food fortification countries where food fortification countries where food fortification works. works. works. But only works where the system works. But only works where the system works. But only works where the system works. And unfortunately, in many countries in And unfortunately, in many countries in And unfortunately, in many countries in the global south, the global south, the global south, that system is either broken or that system is either broken or that system is either broken or nonexistent. nonexistent. nonexistent. A farmer grows a crop like maize. A A farmer grows a crop like maize. A A farmer grows a crop like maize. A miller buys that grain, grinds it into miller buys that grain, grinds it into miller buys that grain, grinds it into flour. A mother buys that flour, takes flour. A mother buys that flour, takes flour. A mother buys that flour, takes it home, feeds her kid. it home, feeds her kid. it home, feeds her kid. Bellies are full, but full bellies are Bellies are full, but full bellies are Bellies are full, but full bellies are not enough. not enough. not enough. If you're only eating that starch, which If you're only eating that starch, which If you're only eating that starch, which is often the case, you're literally is often the case, you're literally is often the case, you're literally starving from lack of nutrients. starving from lack of nutrients. starving from lack of nutrients. That's why it's called hidden hunger. That's why it's called hidden hunger. That's why it's called hidden hunger. It's a big one. It's a big one. It's a big one. It affects 3 billion people, and of It affects 3 billion people, and of It affects 3 billion people, and of course kids suffer most. course kids suffer most. course kids suffer most. Stunting, Stunting, Stunting, delayed brain development, lifelong delayed brain development, lifelong delayed brain development, lifelong deformities. And today, deformities. And today, deformities. And today, unfortunately, thousands of kids will unfortunately, thousands of kids will unfortunately, thousands of kids will die from preventable sickness and die from preventable sickness and die from preventable sickness and illness. illness. illness. But there is hope, and there's some But there is hope, and there's some But there is hope, and there's some incredible people working on very incredible people working on very incredible people working on very innovative ways to solve this problem.

innovative ways to solve this problem. innovative ways to solve this problem. This is my buddy Kurt in Guatemala. His This is my buddy Kurt in Guatemala. His This is my buddy Kurt in Guatemala. His company Semilla Nueva is on the company Semilla Nueva is on the company Semilla Nueva is on the forefront of biofortification, forefront of biofortification, forefront of biofortification, helping farmers to grow nutritious crops helping farmers to grow nutritious crops helping farmers to grow nutritious crops from the start. Jahiu, one of my board from the start. Jahiu, one of my board from the start. Jahiu, one of my board members, based in Kenya. His company members, based in Kenya. His company members, based in Kenya. His company Hello Tractor is connecting farmers with Hello Tractor is connecting farmers with Hello Tractor is connecting farmers with mechanization and digital platforms, mechanization and digital platforms, mechanization and digital platforms, increasing yields and livelihoods. It's increasing yields and livelihoods. It's increasing yields and livelihoods. It's like the Uber for tractor. Super cool. like the Uber for tractor. Super cool. like the Uber for tractor. Super cool. My other buddy, Gayatri, based out of My other buddy, Gayatri, based out of My other buddy, Gayatri, based out of Rwanda. Her company EarthEnable is Rwanda. Her company EarthEnable is Rwanda. Her company EarthEnable is replacing dirt floors in village homes replacing dirt floors in village homes replacing dirt floors in village homes with more sustainable materials, with more sustainable materials, with more sustainable materials, ensuring kids don't get sick and can ensuring kids don't get sick and can ensuring kids don't get sick and can actually absorb the nutrients they actually absorb the nutrients they actually absorb the nutrients they deserve. deserve. deserve. Different approaches, same mission. Different approaches, same mission. Different approaches, same mission. So as Kurt and Jahiu sit at the farm, So as Kurt and Jahiu sit at the farm, So as Kurt and Jahiu sit at the farm, and Gayatri at the family, where do I and Gayatri at the family, where do I and Gayatri at the family, where do I fit? fit? fit? Here, at the mill. In the middle, Here, at the mill. In the middle, Here, at the mill. In the middle, between where food is grown and food is between where food is grown and food is between where food is grown and food is consumed. consumed. consumed. At Sanku, a social enterprise I At Sanku, a social enterprise I At Sanku, a social enterprise I co-founded with David Dawson, the aha co-founded with David Dawson, the aha co-founded with David Dawson, the aha moment was, if we could build a machine moment was, if we could build a machine moment was, if we could build a machine that sits on that green mill that sits on that green mill that sits on that green mill and adds nutrients into the flour, we're and adds nutrients into the flour, we're and adds nutrients into the flour, we're going to fortify the entire village.

going to fortify the entire village. going to fortify the entire village. And credit to David, who saw this super And credit to David, who saw this super And credit to David, who saw this super early over 20 years ago, early over 20 years ago, early over 20 years ago, that although individually small, these that although individually small, these that although individually small, these mills, about the size of a bedroom, mills, about the size of a bedroom, mills, about the size of a bedroom, collectively, thousands of these mills collectively, thousands of these mills collectively, thousands of these mills feed entire nations. feed entire nations. feed entire nations. And so now fortification is not a And so now fortification is not a And so now fortification is not a nice-to-have, it is a basic human right. nice-to-have, it is a basic human right. nice-to-have, it is a basic human right. So, with that inspiration, with that So, with that inspiration, with that So, with that inspiration, with that vision, I took off to Kathmandu and vision, I took off to Kathmandu and vision, I took off to Kathmandu and landed there in 2010 to do just that, to landed there in 2010 to do just that, to landed there in 2010 to do just that, to build these prototypes. The one on the build these prototypes. The one on the build these prototypes. The one on the left was something I built in the first left was something I built in the first left was something I built in the first couple weeks after visiting some mills. couple weeks after visiting some mills. couple weeks after visiting some mills. Uh I looked very confident, the machine Uh I looked very confident, the machine Uh I looked very confident, the machine did not work. And it over the course of did not work. And it over the course of did not work. And it over the course of the year, I broke a lot of things. I the year, I broke a lot of things. I the year, I broke a lot of things. I failed forward. And after a year, I failed forward. And after a year, I failed forward. And after a year, I built the one on the right that kind of built the one on the right that kind of built the one on the right that kind of worked. worked. worked. But as you can see, that year took a big But as you can see, that year took a big But as you can see, that year took a big toll on me. That was rough. toll on me. That was rough. toll on me. That was rough. I've recovered. I've recovered. I've recovered. So, I had the confidence now in So, I had the confidence now in So, I had the confidence now in something that kind of worked. I something that kind of worked. I something that kind of worked. I thought, well, let me head to East thought, well, let me head to East thought, well, let me head to East Africa and test it there to ultimately Africa and test it there to ultimately Africa and test it there to ultimately scale across continents. scale across continents. scale across continents. And I landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

And I landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. And I landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. And within a matter of days, after And within a matter of days, after And within a matter of days, after visiting some mills, I didn't have an visiting some mills, I didn't have an visiting some mills, I didn't have an aha moment. I had a crap moment. Those aha moment. I had a crap moment. Those aha moment. I had a crap moment. Those mills were completely different. mills were completely different. mills were completely different. And so, my machine didn't work there. I And so, my machine didn't work there. I And so, my machine didn't work there. I had to go back to the drawing board. I had to go back to the drawing board. I had to go back to the drawing board. I spent an entire year on this dirt floor spent an entire year on this dirt floor spent an entire year on this dirt floor metal shop banging out devices until I metal shop banging out devices until I metal shop banging out devices until I had something that could be installed. I had something that could be installed. I had something that could be installed. I covered hundreds of mills across East covered hundreds of mills across East covered hundreds of mills across East Africa, literally dragging that machine Africa, literally dragging that machine Africa, literally dragging that machine across borders, meeting hundreds of across borders, meeting hundreds of across borders, meeting hundreds of millers, and learning from them and millers, and learning from them and millers, and learning from them and co-designing. Because we knew if it co-designing. Because we knew if it co-designing. Because we knew if it could work here, in a village in Nepal, could work here, in a village in Nepal, could work here, in a village in Nepal, in a village in Malawi, in a village in Malawi, in a village in Malawi, in Tanzania, in Tanzania, in Tanzania, in Kenya, in Kenya, in Kenya, it could work anywhere. it could work anywhere. it could work anywhere. And by 2015, we had our machine. We And by 2015, we had our machine. We And by 2015, we had our machine. We commercialized it. We called it the commercialized it. We called it the commercialized it. We called it the Sanku Dosifier because it doses. Sanku Dosifier because it doses. Sanku Dosifier because it doses. And it's super simple, super And it's super simple, super And it's super simple, super lightweight, attaches to that grain lightweight, attaches to that grain lightweight, attaches to that grain mill, that's the same one I showed mill, that's the same one I showed mill, that's the same one I showed earlier, and automates the process of earlier, and automates the process of earlier, and automates the process of adding life-saving nutrients into the adding life-saving nutrients into the adding life-saving nutrients into the flour that people eat every single day. flour that people eat every single day. flour that people eat every single day. The way it works is simple. The miller The way it works is simple. The miller The way it works is simple. The miller adds raw grain into one side, in the adds raw grain into one side, in the adds raw grain into one side, in the dispenser is a condensed powdered form dispenser is a condensed powdered form dispenser is a condensed powdered form of nutrients. Just think about your of nutrients. Just think about your of nutrients. Just think about your daily vitamin. If you were to crush it daily vitamin. If you were to crush it daily vitamin. If you were to crush it up, it becomes powder. Exactly same up, it becomes powder. Exactly same up, it becomes powder. Exactly same thing.

thing. thing. As that raw grain flows out of our As that raw grain flows out of our As that raw grain flows out of our machine and into the mill, that loss of machine and into the mill, that loss of machine and into the mill, that loss of weight is detected weight is detected weight is detected and automatically triggers a little feed and automatically triggers a little feed and automatically triggers a little feed screw to turn and dose a precise amount screw to turn and dose a precise amount screw to turn and dose a precise amount of premix every single time. of premix every single time. of premix every single time. Those nutrients and that grain flow Those nutrients and that grain flow Those nutrients and that grain flow together and gets mixed in the actual together and gets mixed in the actual together and gets mixed in the actual mill and out comes fortified flour. It's mill and out comes fortified flour. It's mill and out comes fortified flour. It's that simple. So, that simple. So, that simple. So, we weren't just building a machine. We we weren't just building a machine. We we weren't just building a machine. We were also trying to build a company. were also trying to build a company. were also trying to build a company. And there was tens of thousands of And there was tens of thousands of And there was tens of thousands of mills, so operationally we couldn't have mills, so operationally we couldn't have mills, so operationally we couldn't have thousands of staff and thousands of thousands of staff and thousands of thousands of staff and thousands of vehicles driving around all of East vehicles driving around all of East vehicles driving around all of East Africa aimlessly looking for mills Africa aimlessly looking for mills Africa aimlessly looking for mills trying to figure out which ones to fix. trying to figure out which ones to fix. trying to figure out which ones to fix. And so again, we turned to technology. And so again, we turned to technology. And so again, we turned to technology. We installed SIM cards, just like the We installed SIM cards, just like the We installed SIM cards, just like the from your phone, in each and every one from your phone, in each and every one from your phone, in each and every one of our dosifiers. So real-time of our dosifiers. So real-time of our dosifiers. So real-time production can flow through the near production can flow through the near production can flow through the near cell tower to our devices. We know cell tower to our devices. We know cell tower to our devices. We know exactly where the mills are, how much exactly where the mills are, how much exactly where the mills are, how much they're producing, how much nutrients they're producing, how much nutrients they're producing, how much nutrients they're adding, is that accurate, does they're adding, is that accurate, does they're adding, is that accurate, does that machine need fixed. That that machine need fixed. That that machine need fixed. That operational efficiency allowed us to operational efficiency allowed us to operational efficiency allowed us to scale, and by 2020 we reached our first scale, and by 2020 we reached our first scale, and by 2020 we reached our first milestone, reaching 1 million people in milestone, reaching 1 million people in milestone, reaching 1 million people in Tanzania.

Tanzania. Tanzania. >> [applause] >> It gets better. Right around that time, >> It gets better. Right around that time, MacKenzie Scott found us, loved what we MacKenzie Scott found us, loved what we MacKenzie Scott found us, loved what we did, gave us a big $8 million did, gave us a big $8 million did, gave us a big $8 million unrestricted grant. unrestricted grant. unrestricted grant. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> There are There are good billionaires, >> There are There are good billionaires, >> There are There are good billionaires, trust me. trust me. trust me. Now her generosity was was beyond Now her generosity was was beyond Now her generosity was was beyond catalytic, not just because of the size catalytic, not just because of the size catalytic, not just because of the size of the grant, but because what we of the grant, but because what we of the grant, but because what we decided to use it for. We could have decided to use it for. We could have decided to use it for. We could have easily thrown it at our overhead, at our easily thrown it at our overhead, at our easily thrown it at our overhead, at our burn rate, it would have been eaten up burn rate, it would have been eaten up burn rate, it would have been eaten up within 3 years. within 3 years. within 3 years. But we invested in future. We invested But we invested in future. We invested But we invested in future. We invested in infrastructure. We hired an all in infrastructure. We hired an all in infrastructure. We hired an all African exec team for leadership and African exec team for leadership and African exec team for leadership and expertise. expertise. expertise. We built East Africa's first nutrient We built East Africa's first nutrient We built East Africa's first nutrient premix factory to reduce our cost at premix factory to reduce our cost at premix factory to reduce our cost at scale. scale. scale. We further developed the technology and We further developed the technology and We further developed the technology and systems for scale, not just to reach a systems for scale, not just to reach a systems for scale, not just to reach a couple million people, couple million people, couple million people, but soon tens and hundreds of millions but soon tens and hundreds of millions but soon tens and hundreds of millions of people. of people. of people. And we built a lot of dosifiers, over a And we built a lot of dosifiers, over a And we built a lot of dosifiers, over a thousand, scaled throughout Tanzania, thousand, scaled throughout Tanzania, thousand, scaled throughout Tanzania, expanded into Kenya, and last year into expanded into Kenya, and last year into expanded into Kenya, and last year into Ethiopia. Ethiopia. Ethiopia. And grew from reaching that 1 million And grew from reaching that 1 million And grew from reaching that 1 million people to today, people to today, people to today, reaching 75 million people every single reaching 75 million people every single reaching 75 million people every single day.

day. day. >> [applause] >> I told you it was going to get better. >> I told you it was going to get better. So as a social enterprise, we recognize So as a social enterprise, we recognize So as a social enterprise, we recognize this is a big problem and it's not just this is a big problem and it's not just this is a big problem and it's not just our responsibility to solve. our responsibility to solve. our responsibility to solve. And so, we're not just trying to build a And so, we're not just trying to build a And so, we're not just trying to build a company, we're trying to build an company, we're trying to build an company, we're trying to build an industry and we need partners. And we industry and we need partners. And we industry and we need partners. And we work very closely with the governments work very closely with the governments work very closely with the governments in the countries we operate in. in the countries we operate in. in the countries we operate in. We work with them to pass stronger We work with them to pass stronger We work with them to pass stronger policies mandating fortification. policies mandating fortification. policies mandating fortification. We upskill their labs with better We upskill their labs with better We upskill their labs with better equipment and protocols so they can equipment and protocols so they can equipment and protocols so they can accurately test flour in the market. accurately test flour in the market. accurately test flour in the market. We even train their food inspectors and We even train their food inspectors and We even train their food inspectors and give them tools so they can regulate the give them tools so they can regulate the give them tools so they can regulate the entire industry. This is our systems entire industry. This is our systems entire industry. This is our systems change piece and this is what's going to change piece and this is what's going to change piece and this is what's going to get us to truly scale. get us to truly scale. get us to truly scale. And so, we're about 24 months away from And so, we're about 24 months away from And so, we're about 24 months away from our original goal of reaching 100 our original goal of reaching 100 our original goal of reaching 100 million people. million people. million people. And so, line of sight is there and as And so, line of sight is there and as And so, line of sight is there and as you approach a goal or achieve a dream, you approach a goal or achieve a dream, you approach a goal or achieve a dream, you got to start thinking bigger. you got to start thinking bigger. you got to start thinking bigger. And we do have a new vision and this is And we do have a new vision and this is And we do have a new vision and this is actually the first time I'm announcing actually the first time I'm announcing actually the first time I'm announcing it publicly. it publicly. it publicly. We have a new vision We have a new vision We have a new vision that we call the 10 that we call the 10 that we call the 10 10 1.

10 1. 10 1. Over the next 10 years, we're going to Over the next 10 years, we're going to Over the next 10 years, we're going to scale to 10 countries and reach 1 scale to 10 countries and reach 1 scale to 10 countries and reach 1 billion people. billion people. billion people. >> [applause] >> Any number with a B is audacious, but >> Any number with a B is audacious, but that is the point. There's a sense of that is the point. There's a sense of that is the point. There's a sense of urgency and within the context that urgency and within the context that urgency and within the context that governments now are mandating governments now are mandating governments now are mandating fortification across Africa and Asia. fortification across Africa and Asia. fortification across Africa and Asia. The system is starting to work. The The system is starting to work. The The system is starting to work. The machine works, the model does too. machine works, the model does too. machine works, the model does too. And every day I drive to work, And every day I drive to work, And every day I drive to work, I see it in real life. I see it in real life. I see it in real life. Every day I come home, Every day I come home, Every day I come home, I see it working as well. I see it working as well. I see it working as well. This is Leo. This is Leo. This is Leo. Leo's my son and as you can see from his Leo's my son and as you can see from his Leo's my son and as you can see from his t-shirt, he loves dinosaurs. t-shirt, he loves dinosaurs. t-shirt, he loves dinosaurs. Just before I flew here, he was telling Just before I flew here, he was telling Just before I flew here, he was telling me about his latest favorite one, the me about his latest favorite one, the me about his latest favorite one, the Stegosaurus. That's the one with the big Stegosaurus. That's the one with the big Stegosaurus. That's the one with the big plates and the spikes. plates and the spikes. plates and the spikes. Leo is autistic and because of his Leo is autistic and because of his Leo is autistic and because of his autism, he has an extreme eating autism, he has an extreme eating autism, he has an extreme eating disorder. disorder. disorder. And for many years, all he would eat was And for many years, all he would eat was And for many years, all he would eat was pancakes. pancakes. pancakes. Perfectly round, perfectly brown Perfectly round, perfectly brown Perfectly round, perfectly brown pancakes. Flour.

pancakes. Flour. pancakes. Flour. And because of his autism, And because of his autism, And because of his autism, he was wasting away in front of us. he was wasting away in front of us. he was wasting away in front of us. Completely non-verbal, Completely non-verbal, Completely non-verbal, aloof. aloof. aloof. And so my wife, Leah, not to be confused And so my wife, Leah, not to be confused And so my wife, Leah, not to be confused with Leo, with Leo, with Leo, she actually works with us and and what she actually works with us and and what she actually works with us and and what she did is is the obvious thing and the she did is is the obvious thing and the she did is is the obvious thing and the simple thing. simple thing. simple thing. She added the vitamins and minerals that She added the vitamins and minerals that She added the vitamins and minerals that was missing from Leo's body into that was missing from Leo's body into that was missing from Leo's body into that pancake mix. pancake mix. pancake mix. It didn't change the look, the taste, It didn't change the look, the taste, It didn't change the look, the taste, the color. the color. the color. That's how fortification works. It's That's how fortification works. It's That's how fortification works. It's invisible. invisible. invisible. But the results were extremely visible. But the results were extremely visible. But the results were extremely visible. He got strong. He got strong. He got strong. He woke up. He woke up. He woke up. He started to speak. This is a kid a He started to speak. This is a kid a He started to speak. This is a kid a couple years ago couldn't say a single couple years ago couldn't say a single couple years ago couldn't say a single syllable. Now he's teaching me about the syllable. Now he's teaching me about the syllable. Now he's teaching me about the Stegosaurus, right? Trust me, there is Trust me, there is >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. There is a long long journey, uh, speech There is a long long journey, uh, speech There is a long long journey, uh, speech therapy, therapy, therapy, foods therapy, special tutoring. He's foods therapy, special tutoring. He's foods therapy, special tutoring. He's got a team. He needs a team.

got a team. He needs a team. got a team. He needs a team. But it's been an absolute privilege to But it's been an absolute privilege to But it's been an absolute privilege to witness what a simple thing like adding witness what a simple thing like adding witness what a simple thing like adding vitamins and minerals to a kid's vitamins and minerals to a kid's vitamins and minerals to a kid's pancake, how it can change his life. pancake, how it can change his life. pancake, how it can change his life. Think about what that can do for Think about what that can do for Think about what that can do for millions of other children. millions of other children. millions of other children. Leo finally went to school last year Leo finally went to school last year Leo finally went to school last year and as of very recently, me and Leah are and as of very recently, me and Leah are and as of very recently, me and Leah are proud parents of a graduate. proud parents of a graduate. proud parents of a graduate. >> [applause] >> It's kindergarten. It's kindergarten, >> It's kindergarten. It's kindergarten, but it's the first step. It's a but it's the first step. It's a but it's the first step. It's a milestone. We'll definitely take it. milestone. We'll definitely take it. milestone. We'll definitely take it. And, uh, we're very proud. And, uh, we're very proud. And, uh, we're very proud. And to watch him grow has been amazing. And to watch him grow has been amazing. And to watch him grow has been amazing. 3 billion people 3 billion people 3 billion people suffer from this hidden hunger. suffer from this hidden hunger. suffer from this hidden hunger. And so this is not somebody else's And so this is not somebody else's And so this is not somebody else's problem. problem. problem. This is all of us. Thank you. This is all of us. Thank you. This is all of us. Thank you. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> Woo!