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Fresh and organic vegetables at farmers market
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Fresh and organic vegetables at farmers market

February 2024 Newsletter

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Dear Colleagues,

Just under the wire before we head into March, we have exciting February updates from the Littlefoot world that I can’t wait to share with you.

  • Today is the last day to use the code EARLYBIRD for $400 off our Climate Messaging Mastery Course for Food Nonprofits. Spots are filling up quickly and space is limited! I have gotten so much positive response that I will be hosting another in the fall so if you cannot join for this one, reply to this email directly and I will make sure you get first dibs on the next cohort.
  • I joined Mitchell Kraus for his Capital Intelligence podcast, where I discussed my professional journey and how corporate philanthropy can align with business goals to create impactful outcomes. I also emphasized the importance of philanthropists, particularly in food and climate sectors, in being intentional about their desire for immediate versus long-term impact. Take a listen and share your thoughts!
  • For the fourth year in a row, former Littlefoot client Hellmann’s debuted another “Make Taste, Not Waste” ad at the Super Bowl in Vegas. They partnered with The Food Recovery Network to rescue thousands of pounds of surplus food during the big game to feed people experiencing hunger in southern Nevada with The Just One Project.
  • On May 7, I am headed to the Waste360 Food Recovery Forum in Las Vegas (VIIIIIIIIVA LAS VEGAS) where I’ll lead a discussion among food and retail executives on the importance of effectively communicating food loss and waste “wins” to consumers and within their own business units.
  • I’ll be hosting a webinar with the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers on June 20 on how we can use food and climate philanthropy to nourish a sustainable future. Register for it here. Coming off of our nonprofit course, the Waste360 Expo, and the ReFED Summit, I am surely going to be ready to further explore this topic.

As always, I want to hear what is going on in your world and how I can support you.

Yours in partnership,
Eva

What I’m Reading

Credit: Bloomberg / Getty Images

Philanthropy 

Fidelity Charitable donors recommend a record $11.8 billion in grants during 2023, displaying an enduring commitment to the causes they care about – Fidelity Charitable
According to this new report, Fidelity Charitable donors recommend a record $11.8 billion in grants during 2023, reflecting a significant commitment to philanthropy. The generosity of these donors underscores the importance of charitable giving in addressing critical societal issues and driving positive change.

Food & Food Waste

Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship aims to reduce food waste with AI technology – CBS News
Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship is leveraging AI technology to reduce food waste at sea. The innovative approach showcases the cruise industry’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting the potential of technology to drive impactful change in food management practices.

Our Story: 2023 Sustainability Report & Driving Sustainability Together: Our Planet Promise 2023 – Compass Group
Compass Group’s 2023 sustainability reports provide comprehensive overviews of the company’s social and environmental initiatives. The report showcases Compass Group’s commitment to sustainability and highlights its efforts to drive positive change in the foodservice industry through responsible practices.

FMI: 70% of food companies have health and nutrition strategies – Grocery Dive
Grocery Dive explores the impact of health and wellness initiatives on grocers and suppliers, as detailed in an FMI report. The report sheds light on the growing importance of health-conscious consumer preferences and the strategies grocers are adopting to meet these evolving demands.

How the late Bob’s Red Mill founder avoided selling out to a food giant and instead transferred ownership to his 700 employees – Business Insider
The late Bob Moore, the founder of Bob’s Red Mill, decided to turn the company into an employee-owned business. This move reflects Moore’s commitment to his employees and the values of sustainability and community that underpin the company’s ethos.

 From trash to table: will upcycled food save the planet? – The Guardian 
The rise of upcycled snacks in the U.S. food industry reflects a growing trend towards sustainable solutions for food waste. By transforming surplus ingredients into new products, companies are not only reducing waste but also promoting a more circular economy in the food sector.

Vegan flavor market expected to boom as consumer preferences shift – Food Dive
Food Dive discusses the expected boom in the vegan flavor market as consumer preferences shift towards plant-based diets. The trend highlights the food industry’s response to changing consumer behavior and the opportunities it presents for innovation in vegan products.

Food as Medicine

National Produce Prescription Collaborative’s fly-in promotes food as medicine – The Packer
The Packer highlights the National Produce Prescription Collaboratives’ efforts to promote food as medicine. The initiative underscores the importance of nutrition in health outcomes and showcases collaborative efforts to address food insecurity and improve access to fresh produce.

More Grocers Embrace Food-as-Medicine Programs – Progressive Grocer 
Progressive Grocer reports on the increasing adoption of food-as-medicine programs by grocers. These programs reflect a growing recognition of the link between diet and health, signaling a shift towards a more holistic approach to wellness in the grocery industry.

Policy & Economics

Move to sustainable food systems could bring $10tn benefits a year, study finds – The Guardian
The Guardian reports on a study highlighting the economic benefits of sustainable food production. The findings emphasize the potential for sustainable practices to not only benefit the environment but also contribute positively to economic outcomes, offering valuable insights for policymakers and businesses.

​​If We’re Not in a Recession, Why Did Food Insecurity Increase at Rates Not Seen Since 2008? – Grow Well Consulting 
Our friends at Grow Well Consulting digest what is going on with food insecurity rates in the US in this comprehensive post. To answer the question of the title of this piece, the team found that post-COVID systemic and intentional policy decisions to reduce SNAP and let other pandemic-era household budget supports expire despite sky-high food (and housing) inflation have left more than 40 million Americans more vulnerable to food insecurity and homelessness in the U.S.

White House Includes Two Tufts-Related Initiatives in Commitments to End Hunger, Reduce Diet-Related Disease – TuftsNow
Two Tufts-related initiatives are highlighted in the White House’s commitments to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases. This recognition underscores the university’s leadership in addressing critical food system challenges and emphasizes the importance of academic institutions in driving impactful change

Climate

If Your Climate Action Plan Doesn’t Include Food Waste, Here’s Why You Should Add It Before the March 1 Deadline – WWF 
In this blog, World Wildlife Fund’s Pete Pearson stresses the critical role of food waste in climate action plans. With a looming deadline of March 1, the article provides compelling insights into why addressing food waste is paramount for achieving broader sustainability goals, offering a strategic approach to integrate food waste reduction into climate strategies.

You Expect Me To Believe That?!? (Ft. Tim Robinson) – Yellow Dot Studios 
Have you seen this yet!? The hilarious Tim Robinson teams up with Yellow Dot Studios (Don’t Look Up) to add some humor to the ever-growing urgent need to address climate change. If you haven’t watched this one, or any of the other videos on their channel, you better get to it.

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