How One Idea Turned Garden Waste Into Food for Millions
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
In the United States, 62 million people are gardeners. 62 million, one out of every five Americans. And they grow food in their backyard garden, often more than they can use or preserve or share with friends. That resulted in a massive waste of food because the food bank system said, we can't take that. Every food drive said jars, cans, boxes, but no fresh food. They weren't getting healthy fresh food and it was really hurting the nation's health and well-being. Building an information-based solution to a food problem allows me to solve the problem on a vast scale without ever touching the food. Gary Oppenheimer is a pioneering, impact-driven social innovator and the founder of ampleharvest.org. Through his work, he is transforming the way communities address food waste and hunger by connecting homegrown surplus with local food pantries.
We're reducing climate change, reducing hunger, reducing malnutrition on a very hyper-local basis. Today, this small nonprofit with a staff of only four people is operating in 5,800 communities in all 50 states, plus Native American reservations.
If someone is watching, they're inspired, they want to maybe bring this to the food bank in their community, right, or to a gardener they know, a friend, what's the easiest way for them to do that?
It spans the globe like a super high school internet. Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.
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How does AmpleHarvest.org connect gardeners with local food pantries?
Jordan. Jordan.
Chicago was the lead. Usain Bolt is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your dreams. Hello and welcome back to another episode. I'm sat here today with Gary and he is tackling a big problem. Let me tell you, I've had a lot of people sat here and he's on a mission to solve one of the biggest epidemics across the world. He's focused in America right now and that focus and problem is hunger. There's millions and millions of families in America that go hungry every day and he's combining technology in a really smart, efficient way to hopefully help solve that issue. So I'm excited to dive into this and that's what this show is all about, changing lives. Here we go. Gary, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for having me.
I'm thrilled to be here with you. Good, good. So we were talking a bit offline. And, you know, obviously, I think everyone knows or most people know that, you know, world hunger is such a massive problem. You know, you're focused, obviously, in America with this solution. And it's a very fascinating way of approaching it.
What role does technology play in addressing food waste and hunger?
So can you maybe just set the scene for everyone on what you do and how this charity and organization works?
Sure, the nonprofit's called ampleharvest.org. Everybody thinks our food is farm to table and much of it is, but in the United States, 62 million people are gardeners. They grow food, 62 million, one out of every five Americans. And they grow food in their backyard garden, often more than they can use or preserve or share with friends. That resulted in a massive waste of food because the food bank system said, we can't take that. Every food drive said jars, cans, boxes, but no fresh food. Yes. So we gardeners wasted that food. And meanwhile, people down the street were getting processed food. They weren't getting healthy, fresh food. And it was really hurting the nation's health and well-being. 2009, I realized this was an information problem with an information solution, specifically misinformation.
I can't donate and missing information where and when to donate.
Yeah, sure.
Building an information-based solution to a food problem allows me to solve the problem on a vast scale without ever touching the food. No logistics, no warehouses, no shipping. It allows Rudy, who's got too many tomatoes growing in his backyard to learn that A, he can donate those extra tomatoes and where and when to donate it. And once we've got that information problem solved for the rest of his gardening life, he can donate the food to the food pantry in his own community
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–1:43
2
How does AmpleHarvest.org connect gardeners with local food pantries?
1:43–2:43
3
What role does technology play in addressing food waste and hunger?
2:43–4:15
4
How does the model of AmpleHarvest.org compare to Uber's approach?
4:15–6:48
5
What challenges does AmpleHarvest.org face in reaching food pantries?
6:48–9:29
6
How does AmpleHarvest.org maintain dignity for those receiving food?
9:29–12:15
7
What strategies are used to educate communities about food donation?
12:15–14:56
8
What future plans does AmpleHarvest.org have for expansion?
14:56–18:36
Speakers
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