Dear Colleagues,
I took a break from the newsletter in the fall season to do some strategic planning for Littlefoot and I am pleased to share lots of exciting news, while also providing a few newsworthy articles and updates from around the food world.
To start, Littlefoot Ventures is five years old! I started this food systems consultancy when I became a mother and immediately felt an urgency to do something more impactful to heal our planet, now that I had a pair of “little feet” to protect. To date, my work has resulted in the mobilization of nearly $4M in grant deployment to 15 nonprofits, the reintroduction of the date labeling standardization bill, two Super Bowl commercials, a mobile app, an organization’s CEO leadership change, and too many strategy frameworks to count!
In keeping with this incredible momentum, I am pleased to share that the team has grown. I want to offer a warm welcome to Littlefoot’s new Communications and Marketing Manager, Bridget Cheng. Bridget has over a decade of PR and communications agency experience working in New York City with nationally recognized chefs, award-winning restaurants and CPG brands. She will be leading LFV’s internal and external communications while supporting me in growing the practice.
If you are looking to design, amplify or accelerate your food systems, waste reduction, or philanthropy strategies in 2023, we can’t wait to work with you!
Here are a few additional things I’m excited to share as we close out 2022:
- Former client Hellmann’s and Unilever reached the $2 billion mark with the help of their Make Taste Not Waste campaign, showcasing that purpose-driven marketing and branding efforts can also drive sales and reach the financial goals of the business.
- Collaborators from my policy work, Charles Cooper and Madeline Wade have started a new policy development and governmental affairs consultancy, the Brumidi Group. If you are working in the policy or lobby space, I highly recommend this dynamic team.
- Two women I admire, Caroline Cotto, Co-Founder and COO of Renewal Mill, and Ayeshah Abuelhiga, Founder of Mason Dixie biscuits, both won Nosh’s Best of 2022 Awards. Ayeshah was recognized as Person of the Year and Renewal Mill was named one of the Emerging Brands to watch.
Warmly,
Eva
What We’re Reading
Can This Chicken Company Solve America’s Food Waste Problem? – Civil Eats
Do Good Foods first hit retail shelves in April, selling chickens raised on surplus supermarket food. Now they’re planning to expand their operations to every major metropolitan area.
‘Tesco Tinder’ Surplus Marketplace Will Help Suppliers Slash Costs and Reduce Waste – Grocery Gazette
The new Tesco Exchange aims to connect more than 3,500 Tesco suppliers looking to sell or donate excess stock or products with other suppliers who can make better use of their excess.
Expiration Dates Are Meaningless – The Atlantic
Expirations dates and date labels have long been a source of confusion for consumers, which contributes to food waste and climate issues. This highlights the need for consumer education and date label changes.
8 Examples of Sustainability & Social Impact Communications Done Well – Reconsidered
A list of impactful sustainability and social impact communications campaigns that resulted in belief and behavior change.
New Fare Partners is latest female-led VC to close first fund – TechCrunch
New Fare Partners, co-founded by Elly Truesdell and Hallie Bonnar, secured $20 million in capital commitments for its inaugural fund investing in early-stage food and beverage businesses.
COP27 Is Over—What Just Happened? – Food Tank
Danielle Nierenburg shares her insights and key takeaways from COP27, including a recap of what was discussed and what our next steps should be.
Nogales experiences rising imports of Mexican produce – The Packer
U.S. trade statistics from the Census Bureau show that Nogales, one of the largest food ports in North America, is experiencing rising imports of Mexican vegetables and fruits — totaling more than $3.86 billion in 2021. This is up 1% from $3.82 billion in 2020 and up 7% from $3.6 billion in 2019.
123 Pledge: WRAP urges governments and businesses to embed food waste action in climate plans – Edie
The 123 Pledge was launched to encourage important players in the food system to reduce food waste and to join in on waste reduction and climate action. Organizations taking the Pledge are required to commit to halving food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Loving Your Leftovers: Unilever’s Christina Bauer-Plank On The Purpose Of The Hellmann’s Brand – Forbes
Q&A with Christina Bauer-Plank, Global VP Hellmann’s & Dressings, at Unilever about the Make Taste, Not Waste program and the link between purpose and profit at the brand level.