The ReFED Nonprofit Food Recovery Accelerator
The Food Recovery Opportunity
Before COVID-19, up to 40 percent of perfectly good food was wasted, while one in seven Americans were identified as food insecure, illustrating an opportunity to enact systems-level change to enhance the food system, reduce waste, and ensure that food ultimately goes towards serving its highest purpose of feeding people in a dignified manner.
ReFED saw this opportunity and in the Fall of 2019 launched its Nonprofit Food Recovery Accelerator with support from the Walmart Foundation and in partnership with +Acumen.
The Accelerator immersed 10 nonprofit food recovery organizations in a combination of virtual curriculum and in-person ReFED Learning Labs. Its focus was on leveraging earned revenue models, technology solutions, and human-centered design to catalyze ideas and inspire actions that could help the organizations overcome challenges that have limited their ability to scale solutions to increase the amount of healthy food available to food insecure Americans.
The 2019 ReFED Nonprofit Food Recovery Accelerator was generously supported by the Walmart Foundation and in partnership with +Acumen.
The ReFED Expert Network
ReFED assembled a world-class group of food business and technology executives, capital providers, and subject matter experts so serve as the Accelerator’s Expert Network.
In the Press
How it Works
3-Month Program
Powered by a customized virtual curriculum plus a series of in-person ReFED Learning Labs, participants will be able to: Rapidly prototype new products and services that drive mission-aligned revenue, learn how to incorporate principles of human centered design that create a more dignified and convenient experience for end beneficiaries, adopt the use of innovative technologies to increase capacity, and network with Fortune 500 food businesses, capital providers, and industry-leading technology companies.
What's on Offer
Added Perks
Participants will have access to a range of tangible and intangible benefits, including publicity and brand exposure, access to ReFED staff and world-class mentors, as well as an invitation to the 2019 Food Waste Summit, hosted by ReFED.
Equity-Free Funding
Each participant will be provided $25,000 and a stipend to cover travel expenses, plus an additional $100,000 awarded to the selected winner(s).
Eligibility Criteria
Are currently or expected to become US-based nonprofits in the food recovery space
Believe earned revenue models and technology solutions can help them scale significantly
Are willing to share best practices and partner with others across the nation to drive more impact
Are interested in designing solutions using a human-centered approach; ensuring more healthy food is recovered in a dignified and convenient way
Have a full-time senior leadership member willing to commit the time to actively participate in the Accelerator’s virtual curriculum and in-person ReFED Learning Labs
2019 Highlights
Timeline
Reports & Resources
Scaling Food Recovery and Hunger Relief: Learnings from ReFED’s Nonprofit Food Recovery Accelerator
Our new report offers guidance to the entire food system on how to support innovative food recovery organizations as they scale their work to reduce food waste and fight hunger. Includes best practices, case studies, and expert insights from a network of world-class food business and technology executives, capital providers, innovators, and subject matter experts.
Accelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Hannah, Blue Apron
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Doug Rauch, Daily Table
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Eric Davis & Justin Block, Feeding America
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Jasmine Crowe from Goodr
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Jessica Grace Torres from City Harvest
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Kari Armbruster from The Kroger Co.
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Leah Lizarondo from 412 Food Rescue
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Nell Fry from Sodexo
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Nicole Flewell from Taylor Farms
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Rebeckah Piotrowski from City Harvest
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Robert from LA Kitchen
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Thomas McQuillan from Baldor Specialty Foods
Read ArticleAccelerator Expert Network Knowledge Series: Bill Reighard, Food Donation Connection
Read ArticleReFED Launches Nonprofit Accelerator, Funded by Walmart Foundation, to Double Food Donations
Read ArticleIf you are a food recovery innovator, register for ReFED's Solution Provider Directory to join the growing network of solution providers and learn about upcoming opportunities to grow your impact.
If you have a question related to the Accelerator, please email [email protected].