How I Built This with Guy Raz – Reclaiming food waste with Jasmine Crowe-Houston of Goodr (2022)

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz,” Jasmine Crowe-Houston, the founder of Goodr, discusses her mission to reclaim food waste and address hunger in the United States. Goodr partners with big companies to redistribute their excess food to people in need, creating a sustainable solution to the problem of food waste.

Main Takeaways

Reclaiming Food Waste

• 40% of all food produced in the US is thrown away, equating to 80 billion pounds of food wasted annually.
• Goodr partners with big companies to redistribute their waste to people in need, reducing food waste and combating climate change.
• Local laws make it difficult to redistribute food waste, but Goodr has found innovative solutions to overcome these challenges.

Jasmine Crowe-Houston and Sunday Soul Initiative

• Jasmine Crowe-Houston, the founder of Goodr, previously started Black Celebrity Giving and launched the Sunday Soul initiative.
• The Sunday Soul initiative aims to feed homeless people in Atlanta with dignity and a good meal, creating a restaurant-like atmosphere with old school music.
• Jasmine served 350 to 500 people at a time, preparing food from Wednesday to Friday for Sunday events, offering a choice of appetizers, salads, entrees, side items, and dessert.

The Impact of Food Waste

• Food waste is the single largest source of everything in a landfill, contributing to harmful methane gas emissions.
• Food waste is the number one thing we can do to combat global climate change.
• Many families struggle to afford food even with food stamps and other resources, highlighting the urgency of addressing food waste.

The Goodr Solution

• Goodr uses technology to track food donations and ensure they go to those in need, while also reducing food waste.
• The company offers a sustainable way to deal with food waste and helps businesses save money.
• Goodr’s business model is based on charging clients for pickups based on volume and frequency, providing a 4-10X ROI for clients.

Expansion and Future Goals

• Goodr is currently in 34 cities and plans to expand to more states and cities pending legislation changes.
• The company’s goal is to reduce food waste by 15% in the US, which would provide enough food to feed about 25 million Americans.
• Goodr aims to disrupt the philanthropic and waste industries by offering a for-profit model that creates a sustainable solution to hunger and food waste.

Summary

Reclaiming Food Waste and Addressing Hunger

In this episode, Jasmine Crowe-Houston shares how she founded Goodr to tackle the issue of food waste and address hunger in the United States. With 40% of all food produced in the US being thrown away, Goodr partners with big companies to redistribute their excess food to people in need. Despite local laws making it challenging to redistribute food waste, Goodr has found innovative solutions to overcome these obstacles.

The Impact of Food Waste and the Goodr Solution

Jasmine Crowe-Houston emphasizes the significant impact of food waste on the environment and global climate change. She explains that food waste is the number one thing we can do to combat climate change. Goodr uses technology to track food donations and ensure they reach those in need, while also reducing food waste. Their business model provides a cost-effective and sustainable option for businesses, offering a 4-10X ROI for clients.

Expansion and Future Goals

Goodr is currently operating in 34 cities and plans to expand to more states and cities pending legislation changes. Their goal is to reduce food waste by 15% in the US, which would significantly impact hunger and provide enough food to feed about 25 million Americans. Goodr aims to disrupt the traditional philanthropic and waste industries by offering a for-profit model that creates a sustainable solution to hunger and food waste.

Conclusion

Jasmine Crowe-Houston’s journey with Goodr showcases the power of technology and innovation in addressing pressing issues such as food waste and hunger. By partnering with big companies and using a for-profit model, Goodr is making a significant impact in reclaiming food waste and providing meals to those in need. With their expansion plans and ambitious goals, Goodr is on a mission to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.