Episode 169: NEST4US in Resolving Food Waste and Other Food Problems
About the Podcast
Today, Clancy speaks with Esha and Shreyaa Venkat. They are the founders of NEST4US, a nonprofit formed as a philanthropic platform built upon kindness, generosity, and social good. You won’t want to miss their discussions about food waste, how NEST4US focuses on volunteers as their family, food dignity, and food equity. Enjoy the show!
About Esha and Shreyaa Venkat
Esha and Shreyaa Venkat are the founders of NEST4US. They also serve as leaders in manifold capacities by representing organizations such as the United Nations, Clinton Foundation, Points of Light, and more, driving comprehensive sustainability reform globally. Shreyaa and Esha work tirelessly to realize their vision of empowering people of all demographics to create a more compassionate and inclusive world for everyone, everywhere.
Discussion Takeaways
- NEST Nurtures focuses on three main issues: food waste, poverty, and global hunger. Their initiatives include feeding the hungry, food rescues, and zero hunger-based service projects.
- The biggest gap within the food system is in the distribution aspect.
- There is significant pushback on label terms like expiration dates, "best by," and "sell by," which are confusing for regular community members. This knowledge gap contributes to food waste on both the supply and demand sides.
- A lot of food waste in the charitable food system is not being accounted for.
- Transparent communication with community partners has been instrumental in ensuring that food is not wasted and reaches those who need it the most.
- One of NEST4US' biggest support systems is its volunteer family.
- NEST4US is working with different schools and universities to address the food waste on campuses through food rescue initiatives.
- There is an authentic cycle of leadership through students involved in food rescues and other volunteer work.
- Food Dignity means equity and opportunity by giving people the resources and chances they need to obtain specific products or services in the way of their choice.
- To fight for food equity, people must challenge their hidden assumptions that unintentionally create barriers to food access.
- Equality is giving everyone the same thing. Equity means providing the necessary steps and resources to those who need them most.
#1 tip to improve access to healthy food
Our volunteer family and food rescue heroes are key in redirecting surplus food and raising awareness about the hidden issue of food waste, inspiring better waste management practices.
Each week on the Food Dignity® Podcast, the Food Dignity® Movement's Clancy Harrison hosts a wide variety of hunger experts and other people making changes on the frontlines. Join us as we dive deep into conversations that will change the way you think about food insecurity.
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