Rick Nahmias’ Post

Food scarcity and #wastefullness is something that honestly stresses me out. If you've worked in events, you know you'd never want to experience your attendees having a shortage of access to food and you may also notice that at the conclusion of the event, there's usually a lot of food left over. 🗑️   🤔Why doesn’t it get donated? The reasons I’ve heard in the past were due to foodborne illness and contamination - if you can't properly store the food until it's consumed, you could get the same person you are trying to help seriously sick.   💡Well, if we can make robots that create art and self-driving cars, I assure you, we can handle this setback. Feeding It Forward located in Napa County rescue perishable food from large events like BottleRock Napa Valley, coordinate, and deliver it to organizations fighting hunger in our community. They also allow each organization to select what they want and know they will use, to further cut down on the waste. ♻️ I'd love to see this be more commonplace. Less waste. More love to the local community in need. #foodrecovery #localcommunity #giveback #dmc

Customer Spotlight: Athens Food Rescue is fighting hunger by reducing food waste. They collect excess or slightly blemished food at or before expiration from donors and redistribute it to local food pantries and kitchens. Here’s how to get involved: 

Do You Ever Think About What Happens to Leftover Food After Events? 🍽️ It's a question that often doesn't cross our minds. At ETHOS Event Collective, it's something that matters deeply to us, especially when we consider the pressing issue of food insecurity in our communities. Did you know that California Senate Bill 1383, which recently expanded on Jan. 1, now requires more businesses and events to donate excess food to food recovery organizations? This is a significant step forward in addressing food insecurity and ensuring that surplus food serves a meaningful purpose. As a destination management company rooted in California, we wholeheartedly support this initiative. We believe that redirecting surplus food to those in need not only reduces waste but also contributes to alleviating hunger and supporting food security initiatives in our local communities. What are your thoughts on this new law? Do you see it as a solution to the problem of food waste and food insecurity? We'd love to hear your insights and ideas on how businesses and events can further support food recovery efforts and make a positive impact in our communities. Learn more about the bill here https://bit.ly/3VwfHSU #foodrecovery #californiaSB1383 #communityimpact #eventindustry #destinationmanagement #foodinsecurity

Hope Amidst Hunger and Food Deserts In the face of adversity, hope emerges as a beacon of light, guiding us through the darkest of times. When hunger and food deserts threaten our communities, hope becomes not just an abstract concept, but a lifeline—a force that sustains us, motivates change, and fuels resilience. Let us explore the multifaceted nature of hope in the context of these pressing challenges. 1. Hope as Resilience: Definition: Hope is the unwavering belief that better days lie ahead, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. In Hunger: Families struggling to put food on the table find hope in community food banks, volunteers, and organizations like SATISFEED. These beacons of hope provide sustenance and remind us that hunger need not be permanent. In Food Deserts: Hope blooms in the form of urban gardens, mobile markets, and initiatives that bring fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods. These efforts transform barren food deserts into oases of possibility. 2. Hope as Empowerment: Definition: Hope empowers individuals to take action, to be part of the solution rather than passive victims. In Hunger: Hope-driven volunteers distribute meals, organize food drives, and create networks of support. They empower others to join the fight against hunger. In Food Deserts: Community-led initiatives empower residents to grow their own food, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience. 3. Hope as Collaboration: Definition: Hope thrives when people come together, pooling resources, ideas, and compassion. In Hunger: Collaborations between nonprofits, businesses, and local governments amplify impact. Hope grows as partnerships flourish. In Food Deserts: Farmers, chefs, and community members collaborate to create sustainable solutions. Hope sprouts from shared visions. 4. Hope as Advocacy: Definition: Hope fuels advocacy—the belief that change is possible through collective action. In Hunger: Advocates raise their voices, demanding policy reforms, equitable distribution, and dignity for all. Hope fuels their persistence. In Food Deserts: Advocacy pushes for zoning changes, incentives for grocery stores, and transportation solutions. Hope drives the fight for accessible food. In this intricate web of challenges, hope is not passive; it is active, resilient, and contagious. As we work together—individuals, organizations, and communities—we sow seeds of hope. Let us nurture them, knowing that each act of compassion and each meal shared brings us closer to a world where hunger is but a memory, and hope prevails.

Food insecurity is still a critical issue in 2024, impacting millions globally. Factors such as economic constraints, agricultural issues, and social disparities contribute to this problem. Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization, plays a significant role in combating food insecurity through initiatives like Children's Feeding and disaster response. Highlights: - Despite efforts by nonprofits and government agencies, food insecurity remains a critical concern in 2024. - Food insecurity affects millions of people globally, with an escalating impact on the U.S. and other countries. - Socioeconomic factors, agricultural practices, and global trends contribute to the growth of food insecurity. - Economic constraints make it difficult for low-income families to afford healthy foods, especially in food deserts. - Climate change and unsustainable farming practices reduce the availability and affordability of nutritious foods. - Marginalized communities face higher rates of food insecurity due to poverty and limited access to resources. - Inadequate knowledge and education about healthy foods contribute to poor dietary choices. Why is this relevant? The issue of food insecurity continues to persist despite the efforts of nonprofits and government agencies. It affects millions of people globally, including vulnerable communities facing poverty and limited resources. By understanding the causes of food insecurity, we can work towards implementing targeted interventions to break the cycle and ensure access to nutritious food for all. This is not only relevant to civil society but also to national security, as food insecurity can destabilize communities and have far-reaching socio-economic impacts. It is crucial for organizations like Convoy of Hope and individuals to support initiatives and advocate for policies that combat food insecurity and promote food accessibility and equity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2ahGCXK #FoodInsecurity #HealthyFoodAccess #SocioEconomicImpacts #NonProfit

As we wrap up Earth Month, take a moment to think about what happens to fresh, healthy food that doesn't get eaten following an event or other gathering. If you’re in Omaha and choosing where to eat this weekend or where to host an upcoming event, opt for a restaurant or food vendor that supports the work of Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue. Here’s why perishable food rescue is important: 🥦 Wasted Food: In the U.S, more than 30% of food available goes unsold or uneaten. While a very small portion of this is donated to those in need, the vast majority becomes “wasted food,” going straight to the landfill. 🥕 Food Insecurity: Food insecurity is about more than experiencing hunger. People often lack access to healthy foods, such as produce, meat, fresh milk and eggs – the exact types of food that make up most of the wasted food. 🌎 The Environment: Wasted food is bad for our environment. Not only is wasted food a drain on natural and economic resources, wasted food in the landfill creates harmful greenhouse gases adding to global climate change. I’m so proud to serve on the board of Saving Grace, Omaha’s only dedicated perishable food rescue service in our community that connects local food vendors to organizations that serve people in Omaha experiencing food insecurity. Check out the full list of our food vendor partners here: https://lnkd.in/g3R3wec8 Shout out to the awesome staff and my fellow board members for their dedication to the cause! Lenli Corbett Lonnie Michael Jr. Rita Clark Beth Ostdiek Smith Thomas Hall Andrew H. Wong Jack Holmes, CFA Anna Cramer Nathan Browne Ada W. Robert Kaminski, MBA, PMP

🌍 Today is World Food Day! At Fyffes, we’re proud to raise awareness of crucial issues like hunger, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Our mission goes beyond delivering fresh, healthy tropical produce—we’re committed to supporting the communities we work in, providing decent work, and creating growth opportunities for our employees and suppliers. By incorporating more fruits and vegetables into daily meals, we not only promote healthier lifestyles but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This supports our Healthy Food for Healthy Lives sustainability pillar, where we’re focused on delivering nutritious produce and encouraging healthy eating habits globally. So far, we’ve donated 21 million meals to vulnerable communities through food banks and charities like FoodCloud and FareShare UK, among others. Together with our partners, we’re reducing food loss and ensuring that surplus produce reaches those who need it most. Let’s keep working toward a world where everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. 🌱 #WorldFoodDay #Sustainability #HealthyFood #FoodSecurity

What does "dignified" really mean when it comes to food access? At Food Stash Foundation, we believe dignity goes beyond simply providing food—it’s about creating an experience that prioritizes respect, choice, and inclusivity. Here’s how we bring this vision to life: 🍎 Prioritizing Choice: We listen to our Rescued Food Box members' dietary restrictions and preferences. ⏰ Respecting Time: Our Market members receive time slots so they don’t have to wait in long lines. 💳 Breaking Barriers: No ID or proof of need is required to access our programs—just come as you are. 🚚 Supporting Partners: Community partners build relationships with our drivers to select food that fits their specific programs. Want to learn more about how we’re reducing food waste and ensuring dignified access to rescued food? Visit us at https://lnkd.in/gq5F_585 #FoodWaste #DignifiedAccess #FoodRescue #FoodStashFoundation

Farmers markets have always been about connection—between farmers and consumers, neighbors and friends, food and sustainability. Here’s how farmers markets make a difference: 1️⃣ Reduce Food Waste: Farmers markets provide produce that doesn't meet grocery store cosmetic standards but is still edible, reducing food waste. 2️⃣ Support Local Farmers: Shopping at farmers markets aids local farmers and small businesses, promoting stable food production in the community. 3️⃣ Feed Those Facing Hunger: Many farmers markets donate unsold produce to local food banks and shelters, assisting those in need. Next time you visit your local farmers market, remember—your purchase has a ripple effect that goes far beyond your own table. Special thanks to Farmers Market Coalition for helping raise awareness this week! 📸: At the @DaleCityFarmersMarket, our weekly food rescue initiative helps transport fresh produce to the @NorthernVirginiaFoodRescue. For example, over 4,000 lbs were recently delivered with the help of our friends at The Paxton Companies!

Have you ever wondered where your next meal will come from? 🍞       For far too many San Diegans, this is an everyday reality.        According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, roughly 1 in 3 people in San Diego lack access to nutritious food - a basic need for a person’s health and well-being.        Mama's Kitchen, a local organization and San Diego Foundation Community Food Grant Program partner, is stepping up to fill the gaps and provide more personalized support for San Diegans in need of nutritious food.      Learn how the organization is tackling food inequity through nutrition-focused solutions: https://bit.ly/4dqnS8H     #HungerActionMonth #EndHungerNow #SanDiego