Quad Cities, IL (WQAD) — Three Quad City area sisters are learning the value of a dollar at a very young age. They have started their own business, but it’s also a way for them to give back to the community by promoting healthy eating.
In Sherrard, Illinois you may run into a little business where the owners are pretty little themselves. They are the Mackin sisters: Rachel, age 11, Megan, age 6, and Riley, age 4. Their business is the Kids Corner Vegetables Stand and their product comes right from their own backyard.
“When we try new things we can figure out what people like the most and how much it sells,” said Rachel.
The girls take care of three gardens, everything from planting, maintenance and picking the vegetables once they are ready. The business is based on an honor system; the girls leave the vegetables on the stand, customers take what they want and leave money.
The first summer doing the business, the kids made almost $1,000. However for big sister Rachel, it’s about more than just the cash, she’s trying to send a message.
“We’re trying to spread the word about healthy eating because it may be better for them,” Rachel said.
Rachel wants to promote healthy eating but also help those in need; the family donates the extra vegetables to local food pantries. She said when she learned one in five kids go without food, she felt “very sad for them” and said she “wanted to do something about it.”
Now they’re growing a business and so much more, all from the ground up.
“We want to kind of give people a little more luck and a little more hope,” said Rachel.
