Feed It Forward: Comprehensive Market Research Report

Background

Overview

Feed It Forward is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 by Chef Jagger Gordon in Toronto, Canada. The organization is dedicated to combating food waste and addressing food insecurity within the community. By rescuing surplus food that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste, Feed It Forward offers it at accessible prices through its pay-what-you-can grocery store, bakery, and café located in the Junction area of Toronto.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Feed It Forward is to end hunger by utilizing the 53% of all food that ends up in landfills and redirecting it to the tables of the food insecure in Canada. The vision is to create a sustainable and inclusive food system that reduces food waste, addresses food insecurity, and fosters a sense of community.

Primary Area of Focus

Feed It Forward focuses on rescuing surplus food from various sources, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and unsold grocery store items. This rescued food is then transformed into nutritious meals and distributed to individuals and families in need. The organization also emphasizes food education and community engagement through culinary training programs and workshops.

Industry Significance

In the context of the food industry, Feed It Forward plays a crucial role in reducing food waste and alleviating food insecurity. By diverting edible food from landfills and redistributing it to those in need, the organization contributes to environmental sustainability and social welfare. Its innovative approach has inspired similar initiatives and partnerships, highlighting its significance in the non-profit sector.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Food Rescue and Redistribution: Collect surplus food from various donors and redistribute it to communities facing food insecurity.

• Community Engagement: Engage the community through volunteer opportunities, culinary training programs, and workshops.

• Sustainability: Promote environmental sustainability by reducing food waste and its associated environmental impact.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• Pay-What-You-Can Grocery Store: Operating North America's first pay-what-you-can grocery store, bakery, and café, offering rescued food at accessible prices.

• Culinary Training Programs: Providing culinary training and workshops to empower individuals with valuable cooking skills and employment opportunities.

• Food Education: Educating the community about food waste, sustainability, and healthy eating practices.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Food Rescue Logistics: Implementing efficient logistics systems to collect, sort, and distribute rescued food.

• Mobile Application: Developing a food-sharing app to connect food-insecure individuals with nutritious meals and eliminate food waste.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

• Food Insecurity: Addressing the needs of individuals and families facing food insecurity in Toronto and surrounding areas.

• Food Waste Reduction: Targeting the reduction of food waste from various sources, including restaurants, grocery stores, and households.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

As a non-profit organization, Feed It Forward relies on donations, grants, and community support to fund its operations. Specific details regarding total funds raised and recent funding rounds are not publicly disclosed.

Notable Investors

Feed It Forward has received support from various community partners, local businesses, and individual donors. For instance, in December 2020, Rock Sauce, a local Toronto hot sauce company, donated 25% of its profits to Feed It Forward during the holiday season.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The funds raised are utilized to support the organization's food rescue and redistribution programs, maintain the pay-what-you-can grocery store, and expand community engagement initiatives. Additionally, capital is allocated towards developing and maintaining technological platforms, such as the food-sharing app, to enhance operational efficiency and community outreach.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Feed It Forward's primary focus is on its existing programs and initiatives, including the pay-what-you-can grocery store, culinary training programs, and food-sharing app. There are no publicly disclosed pipeline candidates or upcoming product developments at this time.

Stages of Development

• Pay-What-You-Can Grocery Store: Established and operational since June 2018.

• Culinary Training Programs: Ongoing, with continuous enrollment and community participation.

• Food-Sharing App: In development, with plans for launch during the 2020 holiday season.

Target Conditions

The organization's initiatives target food insecurity, food waste reduction, and community engagement within the Toronto area.

Anticipated Milestones

• Food-Sharing App Launch: Planned for the 2020 holiday season.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• Food-Sharing App: A mobile application designed to connect food-insecure individuals with available meals, facilitating the sharing of surplus food within the community.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Food Rescue Logistics: Utilizing efficient logistics systems to collect, sort, and distribute rescued food, ensuring timely and equitable distribution to those in need.

AI-Driven Capabilities

While specific AI-driven capabilities are not detailed, the organization employs data-driven approaches to optimize food rescue operations and community engagement efforts.

Leadership Team

Key Executive Profiles

• Chef Jagger Gordon: Founder and CEO of Feed It Forward. With a background in the Marine Corps and extensive culinary experience, Chef Gordon established the organization to address food waste and insecurity.

Key Contributions

• Food Rescue Initiatives: Spearheading the collection and redistribution of surplus food to communities in need.

• Community Engagement: Developing programs and partnerships to engage the community in addressing food insecurity and waste.

Leadership Changes

There are no publicly disclosed recent significant changes or appointments within the company's leadership.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The market for food rescue and redistribution is growing, with increasing awareness of food waste and its environmental impact. Organizations like Feed It Forward are at the forefront of this movement, addressing both food insecurity and sustainability.

Competitor Analysis

• Sharing Excess: A U.S.-based non-profit founded in 2018, focusing on reducing food waste and alleviating food insecurity through the redistribution of surplus food.

• Food Forward: An innovative food recovery organization working to fight hunger, share abundance, and prevent food waste in Southern California and beyond by rescuing and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Feed It Forward collaborates with various community organizations, local businesses, and individual donors to support its mission. For example, in December 2020, Rock Sauce, a local Toronto hot sauce company, donated 25% of its profits to Feed It Forward during the holiday season.

Operational Insights

Feed It Forward's unique model of a pay-what-you-can grocery store, combined with its food rescue and redistribution programs, differentiates it from competitors. The organization's focus on community engagement and sustainability further strengthens its position in the market.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

• Expansion of Programs: Scaling existing initiatives to reach more communities in need.

• Technological Advancements: Enhancing the food-sharing app and exploring other technological solutions to improve food rescue operations.

• National and Global Expansion: Replicating the Feed It Forward model in other regions to address food insecurity and waste on a larger scale.

Opportunities for Expansion

There is potential for Feed It Forward to expand its operations nationally and globally, leveraging its successful model to address food insecurity and waste in other regions.

Current Strengths

• Innovative Model: The pay-what-you-can grocery store and food-sharing app are unique approaches to addressing food insecurity and waste.

• Community Engagement: Strong partnerships with local businesses and active community involvement enhance the organization's impact.

Future Objectives

Feed It Forward aims to continue expanding its programs, enhance technological capabilities, and replicate its model in other regions to achieve its mission of ending hunger and reducing food waste.