About East Food Gardens
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East Food Gardens Corporation (EFG) is a Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local food systems, supporting small and underserved farmers, and increasing access to fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods.
Founded in 2021, EFG was built on the belief that healthy communities begin with access—not only to nourishing food, but also to agricultural knowledge, local resources, and opportunities that help families and farmers thrive.
Our work addresses food insecurity by connecting communities with fresh produce and essential resources while creating stronger relationships between local farmers, families, organizations, and community partners. Through food distributions, farmer partnerships, agricultural education, nutrition initiatives, and community outreach, we work to create solutions that extend beyond temporary food assistance.
Through initiatives such as the Roots & Harvest Collective, EFG brings farmers, volunteers, donors, organizations, and families together to expand access to seasonal produce, pantry staples, community resources, nutrition education, and agricultural knowledge. We also work to create opportunities for farmers to distribute surplus crops, connect with new markets and buyers, and participate in community food-access programs.
Sustainability is central to our mission. EFG promotes regenerative agriculture, soil and water conservation, seed saving, crop diversity, agroforestry, and other practices that help protect our environment while preserving agricultural knowledge for future generations.
Our long-term vision is to build communities where farmers can thrive, families have reliable access to nourishing food, and locally rooted food systems contribute to healthier and more resilient communities.
Growing food. Supporting farmers. Nourishing communities. Strengthening local food systems.
meet our team
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Nayka Vaughn
Founder, President & Executive Director
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Nayka Vaughn is the Founder, President, and Executive Director of East Food Gardens Corporation, where she leads the organization’s mission to strengthen food security, support local farmers, advance sustainable agriculture, and build healthier, more resilient communities.
A third-generation farmer and homesteader, Nayka combines hands-on agricultural experience with specialized education in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, food systems, and agricultural supply chains. She earned an Agroforestry Specialization from the University of Florida, with studies in plant and soil management, climate and carbon storage, ecosystem services, and sustainable food systems. Her additional training includes Sustainable Agricultural Land Management and agricultural supply-chain studies through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, including Supply Chain of Agriculture and Issues in Supply Chain Management. She also holds FCRA and Customer Service certifications.
Under Nayka’s leadership, East Food Gardens is developing the Center for Sustainable Living and Agriculture (CSLA), an initiative connecting sustainable food production, farmer support, food access, environmental stewardship, education, and community development. She also leads EFG’s strategic partnerships, fundraising and grant development, community programming, and the Roots & Harvest Collective.
Nayka’s commitment to service extends beyond EFG through volunteer work with Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry, and Nicholas House, supporting efforts that serve individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and other challenges.
At the heart of her work is a commitment to connecting agriculture, community health, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity to create lasting solutions that strengthen farmers, families, and communities.
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Tycoma N Miller MPH CHES
Vice President
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Tycoma N. Miller is a public health and community development leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing initiatives centered on community health, environmental justice, economic opportunity, and underserved populations. As Vice Chair and Vice President of Strategic Planning for East Food Gardens Corporation, Tycoma brings extensive expertise in strategic partnerships, federal grant development, community engagement, program development, and organizational capacity building.
Throughout her career, Tycoma has led and supported multimillion-dollar initiatives serving children, families, foster youth, and communities facing health and economic disparities. Her experience includes directing community outreach and grant development, administering large-scale scholarship initiatives, supporting affordable and healthy housing projects, developing workforce training partnerships, and providing technical assistance to communities pursuing major federal funding opportunities.
Tycoma holds a Master of Public Health from Purdue Global University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Alabama A&M University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Community Health Worker, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and has completed specialized training in environmental justice, climate advocacy, and fundraising development.
At East Food Gardens, Tycoma helps guide strategic planning and the continued development of initiatives that connect food access, agriculture, environmental sustainability, public health, and community empowerment. Her experience building partnerships and strengthening community-based programs supports EFG's commitment to creating sustainable solutions that improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Jehoshua Bromell
Co-Founder & Logistics Coordinator
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Jehoshua “Josh” Bromell is Co-Founder and Logistics Coordinator of East Food Gardens Corporation, where he supports the organization’s mission to strengthen food access, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience. Since EFG’s founding, Jehoshua has contributed to the development of the organization through operational planning, logistics, community outreach, resource coordination, and support of community-based programs and events.
With a professional background in logistics, inventory management, technical operations, and supply-chain coordination, Jehoshua brings a practical and solutions-focused approach to EFG’s work. His experience includes inventory accuracy, resource distribution, process efficiency, technology and equipment operations, quality assurance, and project coordination. He has also completed studies in Engineering at Miami Dade College and holds certifications in forklift, pallet jack, and equipment operations.
Jehoshua plays an important role in supporting EFG’s food distribution initiatives, agricultural operations, event logistics, volunteer activities, and the continued development of the Center for Sustainable Living and Agriculture (CSLA) and Roots & Harvest Collective.
His commitment to service also extends into his community through volunteer work with Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church and East Food Gardens. Through these efforts, he has contributed his time to community outreach, food-access initiatives, event support, and programs designed to assist individuals and families in need.
Jehoshua’s work reflects a commitment to service, teamwork, and building stronger systems that connect agriculture, food access, and community resources. As a co-founder of East Food Gardens, he continues to help transform the organization’s vision into practical programs that serve farmers, families, and communities.