317: "Food Rescue U.S."—Tackling Food Hunger and Waste

Guest Dave Lampert is the CEO of Food Rescue US, a national non-profit tackling food waste and food insecurity. Dave spent the bulk of his career in the for-profit sector, including 20 years with Dutch multi-national Wolters Kluwer, building and leading B2B businesses in content and software. He has also been actively feeding the hungry for over 30 years as a volunteer. Dave has three grown children and lives with his wife and their two dogs in Hartsdale, NY. Summary

This episode tackles the startling reality of food waste in the US, while highlighting the inspiring work of Food Rescue US, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between food insecurity and perfectly edible food headed for the trash.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. A Growing Problem: The conversation dives into the sobering statistics: more than 40 million Americans face food insecurity—people who lack consistent, reliable access to a sufficient quality and quantity of affordable, nutritious food—while a staggering 30% of our food supply goes to waste. Food deserts, where access to fresh and affordable food is limited, disproportionately affect minority communities.

2. Tech-Powered Food Rescue: Food Rescue US tackles this complex issue with innovative solutions. Their user-friendly app connects volunteers with local food rescue opportunities, streamlining the process of collecting excess food from grocery stores and other food donors. Even cosmetically imperfect produce finds a new home, preventing waste and feeding those in need.

3. Beyond Food Distribution: The episode goes beyond immediate hunger relief. Dave discusses the organization's commitment to reducing food waste's environmental impact. They explore composting initiatives and advocate for broader solutions, including consumer-focused innovation.

The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to explore volunteer opportunities with Food Rescue US and advocate for change in their communities. It's a powerful reminder that small steps can make a big difference in the fight against food waste and hunger.

Social Media Website: https://foodrescue.us/

About Jeff

Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. "Quetico" (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.

Jeff has hosted the "Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity" podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.

Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.