TRISCUIT Names The Missing Ingredients Project's First Grant Recipients Improving Access to Fresh, Affordable, Nutritious Food in Food Desert Communities across the U.S

Rhea-AI Summary

TRISCUIT has announced the first two recipients of its Missing Ingredients Project, aimed at enhancing access to fresh food in U.S. food deserts. Changemakers Max Kaniger and Asha Walker will each receive a $50,000 grant for innovative community programs addressing food insecurity. The initiative, launched with a $1 million commitment, supports efforts to improve nourishment in underserved areas. Approximately 19 million people in the U.S. live in food deserts, a challenge exacerbated by the pandemic.

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• Launch of the Missing Ingredients Project with a $1 million commitment over three years.
• Grants of $50,000 awarded to changemakers improving food access.

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• None.

EAST HANOVER, N.J., June 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TRISCUIT, a brand known for its iconic woven wheat crackers, announces the first two changemakers, Max Kaniger and Asha Walker, to join The Missing Ingredients Project. Launched in November 2020 with a $1 million commitment over three years, the brand's purpose-driven effort aims to weave more nourishment into the world by helping to improve access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables in food deserts across America.

Changemakers Max Kaniger, CEO & Founder of Kanbe's Markets in Kansas City, and Asha Walker, CEO & Founder of Health in the Hood in South Florida, each received a $50,000 grant to support their unique and innovative community-based programs that are having a meaningful impact on food insecurity in food deserts. Changemakers are selected based upon their passion for developing inventive, impactful ways to improve food access in their own communities and the difference they are making to reduce the problem. TRISCUIT invites other changemakers across the country, like Max and Asha, who are implementing new ideas and programs, to apply for a $50,000 grant starting on May 10^th. Learn more and apply here: https://www.triscuitmissingingredientsapplication.com/.

"TRISCUIT has been providing whole-grain nourishment as part of a balanced diet to families for generations and we believe that everyone deserves access to affordable, fresh food," said Becky Duke, Associate Director at Mondelēz International. "Through The Missing Ingredients Project, we are extremely proud to support changemakers in food deserts across the U.S. who are working every day to help ensure people can access fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families."

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 19 million people— 6.2 percent of the United States population — live in food deserts. These are geographic areas, either urban or rural, where access to affordable, healthy food options, including fresh fruits and vegetables, is limited or non-existent.¹ The pandemic only worsened the issue of food access across the U.S., and The Missing Ingredients Project by TRISCUIT is fuelling the innovative efforts of individuals to support solutions and create change.

Meet the Changemakers:

Max Kaniger: Founder & CEO of Kanbe's Markets in Kansas City. Kansas City is home to 400,000 food insecure residents, and the pandemic has only increased barriers for residents to access fresh fruits and vegetables. TRISCUIT has selected Max as an inaugural changemaker and is excited to support Max in his mission to serve fresh, nourishing food to the residents of Kansas City. With the $50,000 grant, Max and his team will develop a playbook that other cities across the country can implement to bring the Kanbe's Markets approach to their neighborhoods.

Asha Walker: Founder & CEO of Health in the Hood in South Florida. Asha is actively working to provide fresh, nutritious ingredients to the neighborhoods in South Florida that need it most. Asha is passionate about how food can be used as an equalizer -- not a barrier. South Florida is home to 326 food desert neighborhoods, where thousands of residents have trouble accessing fresh, affordable food. Through her local nonprofit, Health in the Hood, Asha is working to change this. With the $50,000 grant from TRISCUIT, Asha will launch a new "garden to grocer" model that will employ local residents to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables from Health in the Hood's nine community gardens to sell at five local grocers in food desert neighborhoods.

TRISCUIT fans can learn more about Max and Asha this month when they take over the Triscuit Instagram channel, @Triscuit, and share a behind-the-scenes look at the work they do. We encourage fans to submit questions for Max and Asha to answer on Instagram.

How to Apply

For more information on The Missing Ingredients Project and how to apply for a grant, visit https://www.triscuitmissingingredientsapplication.com/. Applications will be open now through July 10, 2021. Interested individuals who are passionate about the issue of food access in their communities can submit their application through the online web portal. Once applications are collected, a panel of judges representing the TRISCUIT brand and The Missing Ingredient Project's purpose driven mission will review submissions and select a recipient based on criteria found within the contest rules and application questions. The grant recipient will be selected by late summer 2021.

About TRISCUIT
For over 100 years, Triscuit Original crackers have started with 100% whole grain wheat, oil and salt. Triscuit is committed to crafting delicious crackers that align with consumer preferences. The entire portfolio of Triscuit crackers is Non-GMO Project Verified, and the "Non-GMO Project Verified" butterfly logo is clearly labelled on all packaging. Visit triscuit.com for more information.  

About Mondelēz International
Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2020 net revenues of approximately $27 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelez International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

1. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/documentation/  

CONTACT:
Allison Ranshous
Weber Shandwick
ARanshous@webershandwick.com

Rachel Lancaster
Weber Shandwick
RLancaster@webershandwick.com

 

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SOURCE TRISCUIT

FAQ

What is the Missing Ingredients Project by TRISCUIT?

The Missing Ingredients Project is an initiative by TRISCUIT aimed at improving access to fresh, affordable food in food deserts across the U.S., with a commitment of $1 million over three years.

Who are the first grant recipients of the Missing Ingredients Project?

The first grant recipients are Max Kaniger and Asha Walker, who each received $50,000 to support their community-based programs.

What are the goals of the changemakers selected for the Missing Ingredients Project?

The selected changemakers aim to develop innovative solutions to improve food access in their communities.

How many people in the U.S. live in food deserts according to the USDA?

Approximately 19 million people, or 6.2% of the U.S. population, live in food deserts.

How can individuals apply for a grant through the Missing Ingredients Project?

Individuals can submit their applications for a $50,000 grant through the Missing Ingredients Project's online portal until July 10, 2021.