Collen Construction’s Post

Ways I’m working on food system change Part 2 🐕 Early-stage investor in THE PACK | Certified B Corp - our mission is to build a healthier generation of dogs and take a bite out of the climate crisis. The Pack are raising on Crowdcube soon - give them a follow and check them out. Pet food is a HUGE and underrated part of the food system with big issues that need addressing and Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel are inspirational founders who are serial change-makers (their early Vevolution festivals were an eye-opener for me). 🫒 Early-stage investor in Citizens of Soil | B Corp - a stunning olive oil brand that is championing amazing regenerative farmers and giving visibility to those who are custodians of our land. Are you following Sarah Fulton Vachon and Michael Vachon already? 🍅 🍠 🥦 🫘 Helping Indy Kaur, founder of Plant Futures organise a wholefoods plant workshop that is bringing together NGOs, retailers, foodservice operators, growers, brands and manufacturers with the goal of increasing wholefood plants’ share of plate. Excited for Friday and if you’d like to be part of this movement just drop me a line (fully booked but opportunity to stay informed and play a part in collaborative action). Sometimes it seems like I am taking too much on, but the common thread of healthy and sustainable food really motivates me and I’m starting to make the connections work. And it’s a pleasure and an education to work with these pioneers 😀 Let’s make progress together! #healthyandsustainablediets #foodsystem #climatechange #restorenaturenow

Dear Community & Business Leaders of the Twin Cities & Surrounding Areas Welcome to the forefront of a groundbreaking movement that’s reshaping the way we think about food production and sustainability! At Food Forest Abundance Minnesota, we’re driven by a powerful vision: to provide a globally accessible, low-maintenance, high-yield permaculture food forest system that empowers individuals, families, and communities to establish their own self-sustaining food forests. Why Join Us? Our mission goes beyond just growing food. It’s about: Addressing Urgent Needs: We're tackling pressing concerns like access to pesticide-free, nutritious food and combating food insecurity head-on. With our system, individuals and communities can take control of their food supply, ensuring health and security for all. Environmental Regeneration: By transforming lawns and farmlands into diverse, plentiful food forests, we’re not just growing food – we’re regenerating the environment. Our solution promotes biodiversity, reduces the need for harmful chemicals, and fosters a healthier ecosystem for generations to come. Dispelling Misconceptions: We’re breaking down barriers by proving that home food production is not only practical but also economical. Our system demonstrates that anyone, regardless of resources or expertise, can create and maintain their own abundant food forest. Catalyzing a Movement: Together, we’re igniting a movement that transcends borders and cultures. By joining forces, we can transform landscapes, revitalize communities, and create a more sustainable future for all. How You Can Make an Impact: Spread the Word: Share our mission with your network and inspire others to join the food forest revolution. Become an Advocate: Lead by example and establish your own food forest using our system. Show the world what’s possible! Engage Your Community: Host workshops, events, or online discussions to educate and empower others to embrace regenerative practices. I am eager to connect with fellow leaders, innovators, and changemakers who share my passion for making a positive impact. plus I'm looking for introductions to schools, nursing homes, churches, prisons, real estate developers, commercial properties, city council members and mayors, city planners, parks & recreation, Any individual, entrepreneur, or company that is looking to make a difference. Together, we can create a world where abundant, healthy food is within reach for everyone! Let's embark on this journey together and create a brighter future for our community. Please feel free to reach out, and let's start a conversation! I am excited to get to know each one of you.

🌿 The Local Farm Festival: Building Towards a Greater 2025 🌿 Last year marked the debut of The Local Farm Festival—a milestone where we celebrated our local farmers, showcased farm-fresh produce, and connected communities over the importance of sustainable living. Seeing the incredible support and enthusiasm from everyone reaffirmed the power of community-driven efforts to shape a more resilient food ecosystem. As we looked to 2024, we made a conscious decision to pause and rethink how we can make an even bigger impact. The challenges and opportunities in the local food landscape have deepened our resolve to create a festival that does more than inspire; we want it to be a catalyst for meaningful change. The Local Farm Festival 2025 will expand on our commitment to building a "Farm-to-Table-to-Farm" movement—a platform where farmers, businesses, consumers, and advocates collaborate to strengthen our local food supply chain and champion sustainability together. We’re gearing up for a festival that connects B2B and B2C audiences through engaging conversations, interactive showcases, and a spirit of innovation. Our goal is to foster greater awareness, build stronger networks, and drive real solutions that support our local farming community and sustainable food practices. If you’re passionate about food security, sustainability, or simply want to support our local farms, let’s connect! We’re seeking partners, contributors, and like-minded individuals who want to help shape a thriving ecosystem. Together, we can elevate our community and create a meaningful impact—one step at a time. #TheLocalFarmFestival #TheLocalFarm #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #CommunityBuilding #FarmToTable #Collaboration #NoFarmersNoFood

It is a pleasure working with Duey Yliniemi every day and seeing his passion for the agrifood industry come through in everything he does. #agrifood #agtech #sustainability

Having been upskilled by our OG regen expert Charlie (who has passed on her coach baton to Richard and Rebecca) I JUMPED at the chance to get to Groundswell Agriculture this year 💯 Regen agriculture unlocks the very mission of Future Food Movement > to take action on climate AND health at the same time. I saw some of my personal heroes yesterday and listened to the very real day-to-day challenges we face, although with shoots of progress that were not there two years ago. The biggest takeaway for me is: Can you proactively, positively pursuade someone on your board to get upskilled in regen ag? To go to Groundswell Agriculture next year? We can’t have the same companies approaching procurement in two opposing ways ~ farmers will grow what the market requires ~ let’s require regenerative food! >>>>   Future Food Movement is a membership community to upskill the food industry to take action on the biggest challenge of our generation: climate + health.   Get involved. 🚀 Join the movement: https://lnkd.in/e_rF7ZGe

I just celebrated my one-year anniversary at Applegate. When I started, I didn't expect that we could accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. Inaugural Mission Report, check. Major regenerative agriculture commitment, check. These are significant milestones.   Our Mission Report includes a comprehensive evaluation of our impact in 2023 on people, animals and the planet, as well as deep insights into all of the programs and activities Applegate undertakes to further our mission – ‘Changing The Meat We Eat®.’ Most exciting about this for me was our partnership with Ecotone Analytics GBC, that helped us to capture the social value Applegate is able to deliver to farmers and consumers. For example, if over the course of a year, you eat grass-fed beef products, such as APPLEGATE’S® beef products, you probably consumed 7000+ fewer calories than if you’d eaten conventionally raised beef. Special thanks to our supplier relationships and the many partnerships that help us achieve our goals. Just to call out a few heavy hitters from 2023: Conscious Alliance, National Young Farmers Coalition, Whole Foods Market Foundation, Kiss The Ground, Land to Market, Organic Trade Association, and FARE. https://lnkd.in/eVzfeNrv

Walk the Talk – Every Thursday is Farmy Thursday! At Farmy, sustainability isn’t just a customer promise—it’s how we live and breathe every single day. As the Swiss online farm-to-fork pioneer and leader, we take pride in a culture where everyone—blue-collar workers, founders, board members, and even me as Chairman—sits at the same tables, eats the same food, and pulls in the same direction. Every Thursday, we cook together using products that are nearing expiration—overripe fruits, veggies, or meats that can no longer be sent to customers. Today, Christoph Siliga was again the cook, and the meal was absolutely delicious! Farmy Thursday is a reminder that sustainability is at the core of who we are, from our BCorp certification (B Lab) to how we care for our people and our products. But this goes beyond just meals—it’s about company culture. Culture is like a garden: it needs constant care, nourishment, and attention to flourish. A thriving culture isn’t built overnight, nor is it something that can be left to chance. It’s cultivated through shared values, consistent actions, and real inclusivity. At Farmy, we invest in our culture by creating moments where hierarchy disappears, and everyone’s voice, effort, and presence are valued equally. It’s these traditions—like Farmy Thursday—that nourish a sense of belonging and collaboration. When you build a culture that’s rooted in purpose, it energizes the team, sparks innovation, and strengthens our ability to serve our customers. Let’s continue to walk the talk—together. 💚 #SustainableLiving #TeamCulture #EmployeeEngagement #ZeroWaste #FoodInnovation #FarmToTable #LeadershipInAction #CommunityDriven #WorkplaceWellness #InclusiveLeadership #FarmyThursday #Sustainability #BCorp #Leadership #FarmToFork #culture #CompanyCulture #PeopleFirst

🍽️ Let's spread a message from Shantilal's Sweet Ventures: "At Shantilal's Sweet Ventures, we believe in the joy of sharing and caring. 🌟 Let's remember that every meal is a blessing, and wasting food is not just about throwing away leftovers; it's wasting precious resources and denying someone a meal. Let's pledge to cherish every bite, share generously, and reduce food wastage together. Every small effort counts towards a more sustainable and compassionate world. #DontWasteFood #ShareWithCare #ShantilalsSweetVentures" 🌍💚

A few years ago, I would not have known about this day or celebrated it, but today, life has made me a partner in the most important sector on earth. And I must say, everything has prepared me for this day. Since starting MOPPET it has changed my idea of what food means beyond the shelf. I came to understand that good food starts at the root. That’s why we went back to the farm and partnered with small-scale farmers and professionals to cultivate rich, organic produce that nourishes both the land and families. Together, we are proving that sustainable farming isn’t just a dream, but it’s our everyday reality. From farm to table, we ensure that the meals on your shelf are pure, wholesome, and easy to prepare, giving every child and family the nourishment they deserve. But Moppet’s mission goes beyond just food. It’s about people and the earth. We are driven by the belief that when women are empowered, communities thrive. That’s why 80% of our workforce is made up of strong, talented wome, mothers, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are shaping a brighter future for us all. We believe that no family should have to choose between affordability and nutrition. That’s why we source sustainably and produce with purpose, ensuring that families, whether in bustling cities or remote villages, have access to high-quality food. With every product we put on the shelf, we honor the hands that grew it, the people who make it, and the families who enjoy it. This World Food Day, I invite you to join us in our mission to create a world where good food isn’t a privilege, but a right. Together, we can eliminate hunger, empower communities, and raise the next generation on healthy, organic meals that fuel their dreams. That is why at Moppet, we’re not just growing food; we’re growing hope, opportunity, and a sustainable future for every child, every farmer, and every family. Happy World Food Day! More at www.moppetfoods.com

4.5 tons - equivalent weight of a grown elephant 🐘 ... This is the same amount of fruits and vegetables our local Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding team has sorted during our volunteer day at Tischlein deck dich Lebensmittelrettung - Lebensmittelhilfe logistics warehouse in Staufen. 🥗 Food saving initiatives play a crucial role in addressing the respectful handling of food and contributing to a more sustainable environment. Are you wondering how you can also contribute to preventing food waste, and supporting your local community? Here are some tips: 🛒 Shop smart: buy only what you need. Make a list and stick to it to avoid impulse buying. 🏠 Correct food storage: improper storage may lead to food going bad quickly. For instance, keep potatoes, onions and garlic at room temperature. Don't store ethylene producing foods, like bananas, near produce that does not so they do not ripen prematurely. 🏷 Check food lables: make sure you to differentiate between "use by" and "best before" dates. 📈 Start small: implement one change at a time and increase gradually. Every little step counts. What are your go-to food saving actions? Leave your thoughts below. 👇 Collectively we can make a difference. #FoodWaste #Sustainability #Community #Volunteering #ABB