Celebrating 7 Years of Food System Transformation 🌱
Littlefoot Ventures
Sustainability consultancy dedicated to empowering business, nonprofits, and foundations to fortify our food system.
Dear Colleagues,
Seven years ago, Littlefoot Ventures was born from a desire to drive meaningful change in the food system—a system that’s not only integral to our lives but also to the future of our planet. As a founder, a mother, and a fierce advocate for sustainability, I started this journey with a simple yet urgent mission: to amplify and accelerate strategies that combat the climate crisis through food system transformation.
My vision for Littlefoot Ventures was inspired by both a deep personal commitment and a lifelong professional calling. Becoming a parent and creating “little feet” of my own gave me a renewed urgency to help build a better, safer, and more sustainable food system for our children and for generations to come. I set out to create a consultancy that could tackle the complexities of the food system with a systems-thinking approach, deliver actionable solutions, and foster meaningful, trusting relationships while infusing humor and humanity into the work.
Over the past seven years, Littlefoot Ventures has been at the forefront of creating measurable change in the food system. We have supported 45 companies and nonprofits in addressing food insecurity, food waste reduction, upcycling, animal welfare, plant-rich diets, and consumer engagement through direct client work and the Littlefoot Climate Messaging Academy. Our work has enhanced their fundraising, messaging strategies, and helped build lasting multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Our milestones shown below are not just statistics—they represent real, measurable steps toward a more sustainable food system. They reflect the energy, urgency, and unwavering commitment that defines Littlefoot Ventures. We’ve achieved more than I could have imagined, and it’s all thanks to the trust and collaboration of our clients and partners.
Looking ahead, I’m more motivated than ever to keep up the pace. This work requires all of us to move fast and dream big. Whether you’re a leading brand, visionary investor, dedicated nonprofit, or an individual passionate about making a difference, Littlefoot Ventures is here to be your partner in driving systemic change.
Thank you for being part of our journey so far. Here’s to the next chapter—together, we can transform the future of food.
Yours in partnership,
Eva Goulbourne
Founder & CEO, Littlefoot Ventures
Littlefoot Impact To Date
The Pulse @ Littlefoot Ventures
Year In Review: Highlights and Plans for the Future
Highlights
Looking Ahead
Funding Opportunity Alert
The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund is now accepting applications to tackle the 17.6 million tons of surplus produce wasted on U.S. farms annually. They’re looking for technologies and initiatives that reduce on-farm loss, unlock the value of surplus produce, and create new market opportunities—all while boosting farmers’ profitability.
Grants range from $100,000 to $250,000, plus access to ReFED’s non-financial support. Submit your letter of intent by January 21, 2025, and be part of transforming food waste into opportunity!
Insights for Impact: Our Top Reads
Check out some of the articles that our team has been reading and loving lately.
Climate Policy Initiative and the FAO
Discover the pressing financial gaps holding back the transformation of agrifood systems—investment shortfalls in food security, climate adaptation, and mitigation. For anyone passionate about sustainable food systems, climate finance, or reshaping global food policy, this piece offers a compelling roadmap to addressing one of the world’s most critical challenges.
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ReFED
A data-driven guide for businesses, governments, funders, and nonprofits outlines collective strategies to reduce U.S. food waste by 50% by 2030, aligning with global efforts like COP29, where over 30 countries pledged to cut methane emissions from organic waste through prevention, improved management, and climate-focused policies.
Inside Climate News
Removing cattle from carbon-rich soils in the eastern U.S. and western Europe while intensifying production elsewhere could drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions, with little hit to global protein production, a new study shows. By strategically shifting cattle production to more efficient areas and restoring native forests, up to 445 gigatons of carbon dioxide could be sequestered by 2100—equivalent to over a decade of fossil fuel emissions. The research underscores the need for better land management, beef reduction in high-income regions, and sustainable solutions to meet climate goals while maintaining food security.
McKinsey
Millions of acres of U.S. corn and soy crops—and the planet—could benefit from regenerative agriculture practices, but farmers need a better way forward because challenges like high upfront costs, uncertain returns, and operational complexities hinder widespread adoption. Increased financial support, incentives, and tailored approaches are key to scaling regenerative farming and unlocking its potential for sustainable food systems.
Business Wire
Cargill RegenConnect® has surpassed one million enrolled acres for the 2025 U.S. planting season, marking significant progress in advancing regenerative agriculture practices. Since its 2021 launch, the program has supported nearly 1,500 farmers with tools, incentives, and localized solutions to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity. This milestone reflects growing momentum in transforming global agricultural systems for a more sustainable and resilient food supply chain.
Future of Food
This report highlights the underfunding of food systems in climate finance and calls for urgent action in climate strategies. It reveals that while global climate finance nearly doubled between 2017 and 2022, funding for food systems dropped from 3% to 2.5%, with only 1.5% allocated to sustainable food systems. Given food systems' role in one-third of global emissions and their vulnerability to climate impacts, the report calls for a tenfold increase in public and private finance to support sustainable practices, frontline communities, and equitable governance, unlocking significant environmental and economic benefits.
Innova’s Top Ten Food & Beverage Trends
This explores the evolving landscape of protein consumption and innovation as consumer demand for protein-rich foods continues to rise. It highlights the growing interest in plant-based proteins, challenges in flavor and texture, and advancements like precision fermentation and mycoproteins. While plant-based meat alternatives face hurdles, simpler, whole-ingredient options are gaining popularity. Seafood analogs are expected to grow, and regulatory approvals for novel proteins, including cell-cultured meats, are anticipated. Transparency, affordability, and innovation are needed to meet the increasing demand for diverse protein sources by 2050.
The New York Times
Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert reflects on the challenges and importance of corporate sustainability in an era of backlash and misinformation. Gellert emphasizes the need for transparency, action over rhetoric, and long-term commitments to addressing climate change, highlighting that true progress requires navigating complexities and rejecting greenwashing. He underscores Patagonia’s approach to environmental responsibility, acknowledging the imperfect but vital work of reducing the company’s impact while supporting grassroots climate action.
Trends in Food Science & Technology
This explores the role of upcycling in reducing food waste within a food systems perspective. It highlights the trade-offs between economic and social sustainability when repurposing by-products for food production. Through case studies, it emphasize that adopting a systems approach can reveal ethical dilemmas, such as prioritizing profit over food security, and suggest a "food first, feed second, cosmetics last" hierarchy for resource utilization. The work underscores the need for transparent communication and systemic thinking to balance sustainability outcomes in food systems.
The New York Times
Crop Swap LA, led by Jamiah Hargins, transforms front yards in Los Angeles into microfarms that provide fresh produce to local families while using significantly less water than traditional lawns. These innovative farms not only combat food insecurity and foster sustainability but also build community connections and reduce environmental impact. The nonprofit operates on subscriptions, grants, and donations, empowering neighborhoods to grow food hyper-locally and embrace eco-friendly living.
Events
Food Systems Advocate | Social Impact Innovator
1wCongratulations Eva Goulbourne and team on an amazing seven years, and many more 🎊
Student at the University of Maryland, College Park
1wSo impactful in just 7 years! Excited to see what the future holds.