Q19 Alumnus Mark Leybengrub Serves Produce with a Purpose

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Hungry Harvest is committed to serving produce with a purpose. The Howard County based produce delivery service buys and sells produce that would otherwise go to waste, whether because of aesthetic flaws or supply chain inefficiencies. For each box of recovered produce they sell, they donate some of their recovery to the hungry; they have currently recovered over 300,000 pounds of produce and donated over 100,000.

Mark Joins the Team

At the forefront of Hungry Harvest’s operation is QUEST Alumnus Mark Leybengrub (Q19). After spending his first post-grad year as a consultant at IBM, he was contacted by longtime friend and Hungry Harvest CEO Evan Lutz. Evan needed help growing the business and was looking for someone to help run the company. While Mark’s dream had long been to go into the corporate consulting world, he had started to feel that the pace of work that he enjoyed and his newly developing career aspirations aligned more closely with charting his own path and figuring things out on his own. While Mark always envisioned a career in consulting, he already had lingering doubts about his place in the corporate world. Evan’s offer proved to be too tempting, as the promise of a faster pace, complete autonomy, and the ability to grow a business from the ground up ultimately led Mark to leave IBM.

“I had a larger entrepreneurial spirit than I thought I did when I first started looking for jobs,” said Mark. “Hungry Harvest was the right move. I enjoy running a company, making business decisions, and the immediate impact of working directly with consumers. I love working with a product that people can review, or my mother can subscribe to, that can affect people on a weekly or biweekly basis. The direct impact was something I was looking for, and Hungry Harvest was the right fit for me.”

Shark Tank

It was after coming on board that Mark learned about an exciting and potentially game changing development in the works: Shark Tank. Before Mark joined the team, Evan had been contacted by one of the show’s producers who said that their viewers would love to see Hungry Harvest and encouraged Evan to apply. In the first round of the Shark Tank application process, there are roughly 45,000 companies under consideration. The initial application is a 50-page, handwritten document to weed out those not committed to the show, followed by a video application about why you want to be on Shark Tank and what it would do for your company.

In June, Evan finally got the call that Hungry Harvest had been chosen and that he would be flown out to Los Angeles for filming. Then, right before Christmas, the producers called again and let them know that they would be airing Hungry Harvest on the show in January. Evan, Mark, and the Hungry Harvest team had 3 weeks to prepare their business for the attention and new customers the episode would generate. They spent 48 hours planning what to do, evaluating the operational risks, and how to capitalize on the attention. It was all hands on deck.

When the show finally aired, Hungry Harvest was thrust into the national spotlight. Evan was able to convince Robert Herjavec, a Canadian businessman, investor, author and television personality, to invest $100,000 for a 10% stake in the business, doubling the $50,000 request that Evan had approached the sharks with.

Mark is enthusiastic about their new business partner. “His brand and name does wonders for our business. Whenever we need help making new connections or creating relationships, we can reach out to him. Robert and his team can connect us and set up relationships we would have never had access to before.”

After the Shark Tank episode, Hungry Harvest went from 400-450 deliveries a weekend to over 1,000 deliveries a weekend. They now have over 1,000 active customers ordering weekly, and a wait list of over 3,500 customers that they cannot deliver to who want Hungry Harvest produce.

QUEST Was Key

Mark claims that when he first started working at Hungry Harvest, he went back and printed out pages from Quality Matters that he thought were relevant to the business. Although he never thought QUEST would provide the guiding principles to his career, he now says that the skills and lessons he learned while in the program are invaluable.

“I believe one of the biggest things that QUEST gives students is the ability to approach most problems in business and make them manageable and digestible. Many of the people I meet in business don’t know how to approach a problem and don’t know first steps to approach and solve an issue. QUEST teaches you those mental models of understanding, digesting, and developing action plans.”

“Whether it is using specific tools such as a fishbone diagram or Dr. Suarez’s systems thinking method or whether you just come at a problem with root cause analysis and problem identification, QUEST helps you think in terms of ‘What is the idealized design we need to get to in order to solve this problem?’ QUEST teaches you how to stay poised, react to different business situations, and especially in 490H, how to conduct yourself with clients or business partners.”

Advice for QUEST Students

“When deciding on a job or career path, startups or corporations, it all depends on the person. If someone enjoys working in a structured environment with a clear career path where they know the exact skills they will need to learn to become successful and the knowledge that there are other people in the company that can guide them and develop them, that’s great, and they will enjoy working in a big professional services firm. However, if you’re an entrepreneur, do not become an “intrapreneur.” Don’t pass up opportunities now that 5, 10 years down the road you may regret passing up. Your first job out of college is not as important as it may seem. Taking risk now is well worth it down the line.”

PwC Case Competition Recap

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This year, in the spirit of QUEST, a new case competition has emerged. This past November, QUEST students had the chance to participate in a data analytics case competition, sponsored by PwC. Fitted within an unforgiving 24-hour time period, participants worked on PwC’s “Big Data challenge.” The case entailed consulting for an expanding company as they tried to figure out what different data types they should consider when making their next big transition. Working right through the Mount St. Mary/Terps basketball matchup of the night, QUEST students took to the challenge, starting at 3PM on Friday, November 13th and presenting at 1PM the next day.

A team comprised of current 190H students meeting with their PwC mentor during the kickoff event on Friday.

A team comprised of current 190H students meeting with their PwC mentor during the kickoff event on Friday.

“I thought the competition was a great way to showcase what QUEST students could do in just a short amount of time,” said Michael George of Cohort 23. “I had a chance to look at the presentations that the other teams put together, and I was really amazed at how much we were able to do in under 12 hours. The case competition was just another way to display the human capital that this program has.”

“It was a good opportunity to work on and develop real world, relevant skills, and it was very helpful to receive feedback from mentors at PwC,” said Ben Hsieh of Cohort 22.

The competition finished with various sorts of prizes being awarded, such as the best team name, awarded to the “Databaes,” a play on “big data” and “BAE.” The grand prize of $250 in Amazon gift cards went to Team BYESS, comprised of Ben Hsieh (Q22), Yash Mehta (Q22), Eleanna Makris (Q25), Sanjay Tohan (Q25), and Sam Lewando (Q25) (in case it’s not clear, the pronounciation is (Bee-Yes), and the letters are an acronym for the beginning letters of each member’s name). $50 Chipotle gift cards were also awarded to the second place team, a group of 190H students who represented Cohort 25 well that day.

Winning team BYESS

Winning team BYESS

Second place team with their Chipotle gift cards!

Second place team with their Chipotle gift cards!

All participants left with a $10 gift card just for competing. Although some won bigger than others, at the end of the day, we were all very grateful for the opportunity and time that PwC spent.

“Thanks to QUEST Alumnus Joel Liebman (Q14) and his team at PwC for organizing the case competition. Our students really enjoyed working with and learning from their PwC mentors and judges. It was amazing to see the recommendations they came up with in just under 24 hours,” said Jessica Macklin, QUEST’s Program Coordinator.

PwC judges announcing the winners!

PwC judges announcing the winners!

Under the Sea with QUEST Alumna Stephanie Martin Proule

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Stephanie Martin Proule is a Cohort 16 alumna who currently works for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center designing submarines!  We sat down with her to learn more about what she does and why she loves her work. 

Where do you work, and what do you do?

I work at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWC). I work in the Launch Systems and Payload Integration Department. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of projects, including air turbine pump testing, design for a new payload integration test facility, systems engineering for integration of special payloads, like UUVs on submarine platforms, design lead for the overhaul of a foreign submarine launch system, and submarine concept designs. ​

How long have you been there, and what was your career path?

I’ve been at NUWC for 4.5 years; I started right after graduation from UMD. I ended up at NUWC through the SMART scholarship program. This program paid two years of full tuition in return for 2 years of civilian service. But after my 2 year requirement was over, I liked it so much that I stayed. (For more info about SMART, go here: smart.asee.org)

What led you to wanting to design submarines?

When I was in college, I never imagined that I would work for the Navy, much less on submarines. But I absolutely love it! The more I learned about submarines, the more fascinated I became. I began working on an internal investment project to develop a concept design for a potential future submarine. It fascinated me to be able to explore new ways that we could improve and redesign a submarine platform from a holistic perspective, rather than simply the piece-part level.

The project opened my eyes to how incredibly complex submarine systems are and how much possibility there is for further improvement of these giant underwater warships. Since then, I’ve attended submarine innovation workshops and a two-week Submarine Concept Design course. I am also beginning new tasks to develop concept studies for the next class of attack submarines that won’t be operational until 2040! Only about 30-50% of my job entails submarine concept design, but it is by far my favorite part.

Do you ever get to go under with them?

I have taken various tours and shipchecks of submarines while they are pierside, but I’ve never been underway. Hopefully, someday!  I have also been to the two submarine shipyards in Groton, CT and Newport News, VA to see submarines under construction. It is incredible.

Do you ever utilize QUEST skills in your job? If so, what/ how:

Absolutely. The main thing that QUEST taught me was how to work in a team and how to be a great presenter. This is critical in any job, but you’d be amazed at how many people can’t do this well. I am frequently praised for being at ease when I present and putting together excellent design packages. QUEST gave me the practice and confidence to present well under pressure, and even to captains, admirals, and high ranking officials with poise.

QUEST also taught me good principles for product design and systems thinking, which I use often. At NUWC, we design things all the time and have to follow the same design process that you do in 190H; we still have to listen to the voice of the customer, except our customer may be the DoD, the Navy, and/or the Fleet, rather than the average consumer. Our designs are complex systems of systems, but QUEST showed me how to break down these systems in a manageable way, yet not lose sight of the whole.

​Favorite memory from the program:
QUEST Camp (both as a newbie and as a mentor the following year) was definitely a highlight. And our final presentations from 490H; it was such a successful day and I remember being so proud that everything went smoothly and we finally finished after how hard we worked during the last 3 years.

IBM/Total Quality Program 90s Flashback

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Current QUEST students proudly identify as “90s kids” – the great age of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Beanie Babies, and Gushers candy. However, now approaching the program’s 25th anniversary in 2017, QUEST also has its humble beginnings in the 90s. In fact, back then QUEST was not called QUEST – it was known as the IBM Total Quality Program (IBM/TQ). In 1992, IBM launched an exciting opportunity, offering grants to colleges nationwide to start an undergraduate multidisciplinary program. And thus TQ/IBM at the University of Maryland was born – with its first cohort of students in 1993. Although the program initially was funded for five years, after the fifth year drew to a close, the University decided to keep the program due to its success, changing the name to Quality Enhancement Systems and Teams.

It might be hard to imagine the program back in the 90s, but there is no doubt that the spirit of QUEST is something shared even then and now.

The following video features students from Q5 at their QUEST Orientation in 1997:

This video is a segment on the IBM/TQ Program from the Maryland State of Mind in 1998:

We reached out to Brian Bender, a Q5 alumnus who graduated in Spring 2000 with an undergraduate degree in Accounting. Brian attended the QUEST Orientation featured above and remembers the filming of this video. He currently works at Crown Agents USA as a Senior Finance Manager. Brian shared his insights and takeaways from his time in the program:

Q: What were some of the main takeaways or lessons learned during your time in the QUEST Program, then known as the IBM Total Quality Program?

A: Working in a team environment. And even more important was the ability to work with people that may not think in the same manner as you do. Everyone brings their own set of skills and experiences to your team and project.

Q: What is your favorite memory from the IBM Total Quality Program?

A: My senior 490H project was revamping the flex straw made by Sweetheart Cup Company. We made several site visits and worked extremely hard to analyze their processes and revamp the engineering of the straws to save the company money. Working with a real world company, in a real world environment, set the stage for my career.

Q: How did the program help you in your career path?

A:  I spent 12 years doing consulting for government contractors before moving to an internal position. All of my consulting projects consisted of working with new sets of client personnel to solve a unique problem. Most of the projects required working in a team setting to get the job done. While there is more of a hierarchy structure in the real world environment, the challenges of a team still exist (planning time to meet, communication issues, etc.). Also, being able to analyze a problem from multiple angles was another thing I took away from the QUEST program. Understanding that there are costs, people, and different industries who all play a part in determining how you attack a problem. Some of the analytics come in to play as well, such as SWOT analyses and the use of Gantt charts.

Thanks to Brian for sharing his Cohort 5 memories! If any other alumni would like to share their memories from these videos, please reach out to us at questumd@gmail.com!

QUEST Alumnus and Current Students Partner at UMD’s Department of Information Technology

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Mark Nathanson (Cohort 20) graduated this past spring and currently works at the University of Maryland’s Department of Information Technology with the University Process Innovation Group, further improving business processes on campus. These processes include areas around UMD ranging from the Hiring Process and the Procurement Process and everything else in between.

Recently, I reached out to Mark to ask how it has been transitioning from student to professional life. Being in the Process Innovation Group for almost 6 months now, he says that life has been treating him well. Within his particular group at the Department of Information Technology, he even gets to work with several QUEST student interns.

I reached out to two of those student interns, Connor Welch of Cohort 22 and Jasmine Zhu of Cohort 26, to learn about their experiences at DIT and what it’s like to work so closely with a QUEST alum.

What is your role at DIT?

Jasmine: “My role in DIT is as a Business Process Analyst. I’m working on a project called the Student Experience Project where we are trying to align the university’s services with what students are looking to get out of their college experience, and my role is to conduct student interviews to discover and refine what students want out of college.”

What’s it like working with a QUEST alum?

Connor: “It has been great working with Mark! He was the TA for 190H last spring when I was a mentor so we got to know each other well over the course of the semester. When I initially joined the University Process Innovation group, Mark was not on the team, but when I heard we were hiring him later in the summer I got really excited. It is great whenever the opportunity is brought up to work with a fellow QUESTee since there is a seamless transition in working together. There is a mutual understanding on methodologies and approaches to problems, and in addition, Mark is an overall great guy!”

What is your favorite part of working at DIT?

Jasmine: “My favorite part about working at DIT is being able to actively make an impact on my school while learning more about my peers. By doing the Student Experience Project, I am learning about what fellow students want and how we can improve university processes to meet these needs. It is very cool that I can potentially change aspects of Maryland and shape it into a better school for students to attend.”

Are there any QUEST skills that you apply to your work?

Connor: “QUEST skills are always used while working with a client, whether it is the soft skills when interviewing stakeholders or analytically trying to develop a data model for a process. One of the more applied skills has to be ideation and relying on many iterations to develop a solution. For example, when developing a framework to outline a process, everyone in the office will bounce ideas off of each other and build off of each other’s ideas. This usually results in a messy whiteboard, but the outcome of an effective framework for the client. Other than QUEST, I cannot think of any other classes that would have prepared me to work in such an environment.”

And Mark agrees. He accredits QUEST as being one of the great opportunities he had while as an undergraduate student at UMD. As a high school student, he visited UMD and shadowed a student who was taking 390H at the time. After this experience, Mark concluded that QUEST was one of the main reasons he wanted to come to UMD. His achievements as an undergraduate student are many. To name a few, he piloted a Computer Design elective, traveled to Silicon Valley to see the lessons he learned in class applied in the job field, and even won Project of the Year at the 490H QUEST Conference.

Attributes that have made him successful can be seen from his values. He is a huge advocate for being patient and waiting until the right opportunity arises. However, he notes “that doesn’t imply a passive approach”, but rather to “take charge” and seize any opportunity that may land upon a person. To current students, especially for those looking for their first or second internships, he gives the same advice: seek opportunities you are genuinely interested in.

“As a student, your interest in a position almost always trumps your experience, at least in my eyes,” Mark adds.

Mark welcomes anybody that would like to reach out to him with any individual questions. He can be reached at mnathan1@umd.edu.

11 Reasons We’re Thankful for QUEST

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With Thanksgiving break finally right around the corner, there’s a sense of community and relief as we finish up with our midterm exams. Although many of us are feeling the pressure from our QUEST projects, take a moment to read these 11 reasons why at the end of it all, QUEST is 110% completely worth it:

1. Innovative classes

How many of your (non-QUEST) friends can say that as sophomores they have invented a product and designed an app in the course of a semester? Or graduate having worked on an actual consulting project for a real client in a multidisciplinary team? Or have even had the chance to travel to the tech hub of Silicon Valley for a class? QUEST courses make us think outside the box – and let’s be honest, it’s a breath of fresh air from sitting in 1 hour and 15 minute lectures all day.

Spring 2015 QUEST Course Design and Innovation in Silicon Valley

Spring 2015 QUEST Course Design and Innovation in Silicon Valley

2. Faculty and staff who work hard to help us succeed

Pictured (left to right): Jessica Macklin, Kylie King, Emily Kelly, Dr. Pamela Armstrong, Dr. Gerald Suarez, Dr. James Purtilo, & Dr. Jeffrey Hermann

Pictured (left to right): Jessica Macklin, Kylie King, Emily Kelly, Dr. Pamela Armstrong, Dr. Gerald Suarez, Dr. James Purtilo, & Dr. Jeffrey Herrmann

QUEST wouldn’t be the program that it is today without the faculty and staff that continually search for ways to improve the program to make it the best that it can be. If we ever have a question or even just want to talk about our day, the Quality Guild’s doors are always open. Our professors inspire us to innovate and challenge us to look for areas of opportunity. Being able to form close relationships with QUEST faculty and staff truly makes the program that much more special.

3. QUEST Camp

2015 QUEST Camp

QUEST student on the high ropes course during QUEST Camp of August 2015

Ah, the good ol’ days at QUEST Camp. Admittedly, these two special days for the new QUESTees are undeniably awkward (on the high ropes course, we probably at one point all thought “what did I get myself into?”), but you have to admit orientation was a fun time. In fact, QUEST Camp is so fun that some students return for a second time as mentors.

4. Awesome corporate partners

Corporate Partners

A huge part of QUEST is the professional development aspect. With the help of our corporate partners, whether through sponsoring a capstone project, a program event, or the QUEST Lab, we are able to apply our skills and knowledge in a professional setting. And it doesn’t hurt that many of our corporate partners provide free goodies and food.

5. Expanding alumni network

Student/Alumni Dinner

Spring 2015 QUEST Student/Alumni Dinner at Ledo’s Restaurant

There’s a reason that we say “the QUEST never ends.” Students have access to an extensive alumni network, most of whom are more than happy to share some words of wisdom and give back to the program. And with new initiatives like WiseGuy.com, a collaborative and interactive learning network for college students (started by QUEST alum Jeremy Loya), it’s now easier than ever for students to reach out to QUEST alumni for professional advice.

6. Events beyond the classroom

QSO 2015 BBQ

QSO members Uva Dayalan and Tony Trinh at the Spring 2015 QUEST BBQ

QUEST is more than 17 credits in three years – there are many opportunities beyond the classroom as well. This fall, students attended the first ever Corporate Partners Networking Reception planned by the QUEST Corporate student committee. This QUEST-only event gave students a chance to network with recruiters and QUEST alumni from companies like Deloitte and Google. In addition to professional development events, there are events hosted by the QUEST Student Organization (QSO) to promote community among students, such as QUEST Formal and the End-of-the-Year BBQ.

7. Professional experience

By the end of our three years in the program, QUEST sets us up for the professional world. In BMGT/ENES490H, we essentially are professionals creating recommendations for a client. QUEST committees allow us to apply our talents and knowledge to improve the program. Teaching assistantships and mentorships offer students the chance to apply the knowledge they have learned in an instructional setting. These are just some experiences that not only look great on a resume, but create well-rounded students ready to enter the working world post-graduation.

8. Late nights working on group projects

Yes, those sleepless nights working on group projects that we definitely did not procrastinate on are the very nights that brought our teams closer together. Some of our best ideas come from those sleep-deprived team meetings. Even though we might not be thankful for these nights right now, after killer presentations and the successful conclusion of our projects, a couple missed hours of sleep don’t seem so bad after all.

9. QUEST Conference

Spring 2015 QUEST Conference

Outstanding Capstone Award team HAAT Consulting presenting their BMGT/ENES490H project for CFR at the Spring 2015 QUEST Conference

BMGT/ENES490H students showcase all the hard work they have put in during the semester at the biannual QUEST Conference. Being able to learn about the innovative solutions and recommendations from QUEST students is pretty amazing.

10. Having a QUEST family

QUEST Graduates

Some of the QUEST Graduating Seniors of 2015

At the end of the day, QUEST is a family. From QUEST Camp to graduation, there will be bonds made with our cohorts, faculty, alumni, and staff that will never be broken. The connections we form and the lessons we learn are formed and learned together – truly making QUEST a quality program.

11. And how could we forget, free printing

Free printing for college students? Count me in, please!

Alumni Hosts Wanted for UMD Admitted Student Yield Events

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The UMD Alumni Association (AA) and Office of Undergraduate Admissions (OUA) are searching for alumni volunteers to host admitted student yield events in locations across the US in order to help turn the brightest high school seniors into UMD’s next freshman class. These events will take Maryland’s school spirit on the road, introducing admitted students to alumni in their areas. This is also a great opportunity to introduce prospective UMD students to the QUEST program before they even get to campus!

Locations: We will target the following locations in Spring 2016. Some of these are emerging markets for Admissions, but we would still like to explore our connections in each area. Interested in being a host in a different area? Let’s talk!

  • NYC
  • Long Island
  • Northern NJ
  • Boston
  • Philadelphia
  • Chicago
  • Atlanta
  • Ft. Lauderdale
  • Miami
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland

Details: The ideal timeframe for holding these events is mid-February through late March. We will need hosts and event details lined up no later than mid-January. If the number of admitted students in an area is too low to move forward with this type of event, we will explore other options. We won’t force an event in any area unless we have a critical mass of students to invite. The host may utilize their office or place of business, a local event venue or restaurant for the event. The host should also have the capacity to purchase refreshments for the event. In most circumstances, heavy hors d’oeuvres or a casual buffet are appropriate. Smaller groups may opt for a seated meal in a restaurant.

Event Support: To ensure these events’ success, the AA and the OUA will provide the following resources:

– Event invitations to admitted students and their parents upon notification of admission (OUA)

– Periodic updates to the hosts containing RSVP numbers (AA)

– Targeted invitations to other alumni and parent volunteers in the area (AA)

– A box of event materials shipped to the host or venue including nametags, tabletop M’s and poms for decor, favors for student guests and a small gift of appreciation for the host​s (AA)

– Event attendance from at least one OUA staff person to represent UMD and answer students’ questions about enrolling at Maryland; for some of the larger markets, other UMD staff may choose to attend (OUA/AA)

If interested in becoming a host in one of these locations, please contact Emily Kelly (QUEST’s Graduate Assistant) at emkelly@umd.edu by Monday, November 23rd.

 

QUEST Alumnus Finds Success with Campus Maps App

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For many freshmen here at UMD, navigating through the intimidating terrain that is UMD’s campus on the first day of school may not be possible without a few resources. Besides the stands that are set up around campus during those first few days, many (including myself last year) heavily rely on the Campus Maps app, an app that provides all of the key locations and buildings around UMD. In fact, the founder of that app is a QUEST alumnus. Vikram Bhandari of Cohort 18 developed the app during the summer between his sophomore and junior years, seeking a solution to a problem many new students face during the first weeks of school.

He says that at the start, the app was shared amongst his friends, and after they suggested he market it to the app store, he then saw the potential for it to become something bigger. “Growth [was not] immediate”, Vikram states. “Year 1 [had] about 2,000 users. It wasn’t until a few years in, that adoption really started to skyrocket.” In the past couple of years, the app has even become popular amongst campuses outside UMD. At this time last year, there were around 20 schools using it, but Vikram projects it to be around 500 by the end of this year. However, this all wouldn’t have happened without his overcoming of obstacles along the way. “I had never made a product prior to Campus Maps, so there was a lot of learning to do. Rather than viewing my inexperience or inability to do something as a blocker, I saw each obstacle as an opportunity to learn and add another tool to my skill set.”

Today, Vikram runs the app full time, and he has eyes set to expand the app rapidly. He says that as an undergraduate student at UMD, “being part of QUEST [was] one of [his] highest rated college memories.” The education he received both inside and outside of the classroom made his experience as a QUEST student.

“Success is not always immediately obvious. It’s important to pursue a passion that you are willing to invest in. Making decisions for the long haul is where you start to really pull ahead of the competition,” Vikram adds.

If you’re interested in seeing the app Vikram developed and trying it out, click here.

QUEST Alumnus Founds Startup, Laulima: The Amazon of Goods for Good

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Laulima is an exciting new e-commerce startup founded by a QUEST Cohort 17 alumnus, Steve Eyring. Steve graduated from the University of Maryland in December 2013 with a degree in Statistics. As an undergraduate student, he was selected to participate in StartupBus, a three-day startup competition that took place on a bus ride from Washington, D.C. to Austin, Texas. During his time at UMD, Steve also studied for three months in Hawaii, where the meaning of “Laulima” originates. Laulima means “many hands working together,” and is a perfect name for Steve’s new company, which he envisions as the Amazon of Goods for Good. Steve worked at two jobs prior to starting Laulima, but he decided that starting his own entrepreneurial venture would be far more rewarding.

In Hawaii, the local people are very passionate about helping each other and maintaining the island’s culture. Steve named his startup “Laulima” because his vision is to help impoverished people in third-world countries get on their feet. Laulima is an online marketplace with over 300 partner companies that all have socially responsible missions; examples of these partners include TOMS Shoes and Warby Parker. This online marketplace offers a single-stop shop for 25,000+ products from many categories including apparel and food. Laulima will provide online consumers with an unprecedented ability to shop consciously. Consumers will know exactly what they are buying and where their money is going. With over three billion people in this world living on less than less than $2 per day each, Laulima is truly going to help make the world a better place. The company officially launches this Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2015) at www.shoplaulima.com. Thank you to Steve Eyring for sharing this story and for staying actively involved with the QUEST community!

Terp Farm Fall Harvest Festival: Eat More, Waste Less

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The Farm is a well-loved spot on campus. Serving as a nod to the University of Maryland’s agricultural roots and a welcomed distraction from classes (particularly when the spring’s baby animals make an appearance), most students have been there at least once. Despite the campus farm’s popularity, few students are aware of the University’s other agricultural projects like Terp Farm: a collaborative, sustainable farming project just fifteen miles from campus in Upper Marlboro, MD. The Terp Farm Fall Harvest Festival aimed to change this. On Friday, October 9th, the University of Maryland community was invited to the Terp Farm to explore and learn what it is all about. Many QUESTees were excited about this opportunity and decided to travel together for an afternoon of food and fun.

During the Terp Farm Fall Harvest Festival, QUEST members had a chance to participate in a number of activities, both educational and fun. Activities included farm trivia, where participants were asked to identify different types of plants and seeds to win farm-themed prizes and fall classics such as pumpkin painting and cornhole, which kept visitors busy while waiting for walking tours of the farm. Ultimately, however, the Terp Farm is all about producing top quality produce, and it delivered in spades during the festival.

The Green Tiding’s food truck is easy to spot around campus and offers students a welcomed change of pace from dining hall food using produce grown on the Terp Farm. While it has inspired its fair share of impulse snack breaks, it is, unfortunately for students, not covered by the University dining plan. But at the Terp Farm Fall Harvest Festival, Green Tiding’s provided each guest with a voucher for a free lamb or vegetable sandwich, garlic french fries, and hot apple cider. The queue for the Food Truck spoke to the quality, and while an argument could be make for each item being the best, QUEST Program Coordinator Jessica Macklin’s favorite were “the fries, always!”

In addition to the Green Tiding’s food truck, there were a variety of other snacks and treats made from produce grown on the farm, such as edamame hummus and fresh salsa. These snacks tempered hungry stomachs while waiting in the line for Green Tiding’s and provided stiff competition for best food at the festival.

Visitors also got the chance to provide feedback on their favorite apple and pear in a taste test where each person was asked to sample three slices of apples or pears and then select their favorite. This helped the farm decide which fruits would best serve the community, and also gave taste-testers a chance to learn a bit about their flavor palate.

“I learned that I have a ‘New England’ apple preference, which makes sense because I’m from upstate New York,” said Kylie King, QUEST’s Program Director.

Overall, the Terp Farm Fall Harvest Festival gave the QUEST community a fun, relaxing opportunity to share laughs, good food, and a gorgeous Friday afternoon. It was also a good reminder that no matter how diverse QUEST is, we can all still appreciate food fresh from the farm.

QUEST Program Coordinator Jessica Macklin, Morgan Taverner (Q23), Hannah Buehler (Q20), and QUEST Program Director Kylie King waiting to receive their food from the Green Tiding's Food Truck.

QUEST Program Coordinator Jessica Macklin, Morgan Taverner (Q23), Hannah Buehler (Q20), and QUEST Program Director Kylie King waiting to receive their food from the Green Tiding’s Food Truck.