Corporate Giving Programs

When were you last really hungry? 1 in 4 people constantly is. That’s over 2 billion. Every day. Not late lunch hungry. The kind that stunts, shrinks, ends. 820 million underfed. 2 billion lacking vital nutrients. These women feed the future, Not with spoons, with science. 📌 Dr. Agnes Kalibata Redesigned food systems for smallholder resilience. Helped millions access tools, tech, and markets. Bridges climate policy and agricultural reform. Turns global summits into farm-level shifts. 📌 Dr. Esther Ngumbi Builds climate-smart crops from soil to stalk. Links microbes, tradition, and food security. Centers farmers in every solution. Science that grows from the ground up. 📌 Dr. Dilfuza Egamberdieva Heals soil where hunger hits hardest. Uses microbes to revive arid farmland. Restores productivity without synthetic overload. Binds ecology, food, and local power. 📌 Dr. Agnes Atim Apea Transforms rice farming into women-led systems. Lifts communities through shared land and profits. Redesigns agriculture with social justice roots. Proof that food equity scales. 📌 Dr. Sigrid Heuer Engineered zinc-rich rice to fight “hidden hunger.” Improves nutrition across Asia through seeds. Her work feeds millions micronutrient by micronutrient. A new harvest, with health built in. 📌 Dr. Rose Goslinga Builds crop insurance for the world’s smallest farms. Reduces risk so farmers can grow forward. Links tech and trust where banks never reached. Turns safety nets into growth plans. 📌 Dr. Fanta Camara Fuses AI with indigenous farming wisdom. Models food systems that adapt to climate. Designs agroecology for the future of Africa. Grounds innovation in ancestral roots. 📌 Dr. Njeri Gitonga Reengineers livestock systems for safety and equity. Builds traceable, disease-free meat supply chains. Mentors rural girls into tech-driven ag careers. Where food meets dignity, she leads. 📌 Dr. Mariam Mayet Defends seed sovereignty and farmer-led science. Champions agroecology in courtrooms and fields. Fights corporate capture of food systems. Biodiversity is her resistance tool. 📌 Dr. Susan Kaaria Elevates women scientists in African agriculture. Builds leadership pipelines from lab to land. Pushes for policy that centers rural women. Her strategy: gender is infrastructure. 📌 Dr. Tarini Gupta Designs agri-nutrition systems for public health. Targets malnutrition through food policy innovation. Her science fuels nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Feeds the body, and the system. 📌 Dr. Ana Luiza Domingos Maps how the brain shapes what we eat. Connects hunger, hormones, and food behavior. Her research reframes nutrition at its roots. The science of appetite, reimagined. 8+ billion mouths to feed, and rising. Hunger grows. So does science. These women build what keeps us fed, from soil to system. What would you feed the future?

The Hidden Truth Behind Our Food System 🌾 Did you know that smallholder farmers produce over 50% of the world’s food, yet many of them struggle to feed their own families? 🤔 Rural communities, the backbone of global food production, face a cruel paradox: • They grow the food that sustains cities, yet hunger and poverty remain a daily reality in their lives. • Climate change, lack of access to resources, and systemic inequalities worsen their vulnerabilities. Here’s the hard truth: 1 billion people living in rural areas rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, but many are among the world’s most food insecure. 💔 So, how do we fix this broken system? ✔️ Invest in rural development: Equip farmers with tools, technology, and access to markets. ✔️ Fair pricing and sustainable practices: Ensure farmers are fairly compensated for their work. ✔️ Climate-resilient solutions: Support policies that mitigate the impact of climate change on farming. The hands that grow our food should never go hungry. Let’s work toward a system that ensures food security for all—starting with those who grow it. 🌱 💬 What can we do as individuals and organizations to make a difference? Share your thoughts and ideas below! 👇 #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #SoilHealth #RuralDevelopment #ZeroHunger #Agriculture

There is a different way of doing development work that ensures the impact lasts for generations. I recently joined the global board of The Hunger Project and my first field trip took me to Lakang, a district in Northern Uganda, where we are launching Phase 1 of a new epicenter- a powerful community-led development model that brings integrated services directly to rural communities. My next 3 posts will be about what I learned on this journey. When we think about ending hunger, most of our attention still goes to relief and not transformation. What makes The Hunger Project model so different- and, I believe, so powerful- is that it doesn’t see people as passive recipients of aid (we don’t even call them beneficiaries- we call them partners- but more about that in the next post about the language development organisations use and how it’s not helpful). People are agents of their own development. This model starts at the grassroots, in villages where people are trained, organized, and mobilized to lead the change they want to see. It empowers women at the center, equips communities to create their own solutions, and ensures local government and systems are engaged for long-term sustainability. In this video, Dennis, a member of the Epicenter operational committee and a respected member of the community in Lakang, takes us through the community’s self-designed vision board. I was completely blown away. It’s important to note that the community in Lakang is still living with trauma in the aftermath of the war involving the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They are starting from ground zero. Their vision board considers where the community is now and the tools at their disposal, where they want to be in 5 years, the opportunities they can leverage, and what they consider to be the threats that could stand in their way (if you’re aware of potential obstacles, you’re not surprised when they show up!) Rather than impose short-term fixes, The Hunger Project facilitates locally led strategies that span nutrition, health, education, income generation, and governance. In doing so, it addresses the root causes of hunger- not just the symptoms! And the results speak for themselves: once communities meet key development milestones, they reach “self-reliance”, no longer needing support from The Hunger Project. That’s real empowerment. That’s what systemic change looks like. The world is currently overwhelmed by crises. This model puts dignity (not handouts), leadership, and partnership at the core, not just as ethical principles but as effective strategies that work. Have you seen locally led development models like this work in other sectors or countries? I’d love to hear any experiences that inform how we at The Hunger Project can think about creating more impact in the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. #TheHungerProject #ZeroHunger #CommunityLed #Development #Leadership #FoodSecurity #Lakanga #Uganda #CommunityLedDevelopment

Today the FAO released its annual “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” report. And if last year's report showed that the world was moving in the wrong direction to address hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, this year’s report demonstrates that we have completely veered off course. Nearly 30% of the global population faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022, with an increase of 122 million people going hungry compared to 2019. FAO projects that by 2030, approximately 600 million people will face chronic undernourishment. This figure represents an alarming increase of 119 million compared to previous projections, taking into account the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Even without the war in Ukraine, the number would still be 23 million higher than earlier estimates. Climate change, economic fallout caused by the pandemic, conflict, and the war in Ukraine have created the worst food crisis in a generation. 345 million people currently face high levels of food insecurity and need urgent assistance. Food shortages and income losses this year are likely to be even more dire as the climate crisis and conflict continue decimating crop yields, from Somalia to Nigeria to Pakistan, and the longer-term impacts of volatile prices and shortages of fertilizer on harvests emerge. As my colleague Kevin Mugenya told Reuters this week, humanitarian aid is part of but not the entire solution. Providing food alone will not be enough to end this crisis. It will not solve the deeper systemic problems driving global hunger and malnutrition. We need institutions like the IMF and World Bank to prioritize debt relief for lower-income countries so they can afford to invest in social safety nets to help their citizens continue to cope with few job prospects, decimated incomes and continued volatility of food prices and availability. We need countries to keep trade open and avoid restrictive measures such as export bans on food or fertilizers. We need to boost support for local agriculture by providing smallholder farmers the information, financial and regulatory support they need to help their communities and countries reduce reliance on imports. And we need increased investment in climate adaptation. Children will go hungry if we don’t help communities adapt to a changing climate. Farmers will lose their crops. Families will lose their livelihoods and their homes. Conflict will worsen, particularly in areas with tension over depleting natural resources like water or farmable land. Global efforts to feed a hungrier world must include longer-term efforts that shore up local food systems, especially in fragile and conflict-affected places. #SOFI2023 #climatechange #food #agriculture https://lnkd.in/eDBEbQK2

📃Brazilian Ministry of Social Development and the Fight Against Hunger Reference Framework for Food Systems and Climate for Public Policies 📃 To see the Government of Brazil promoting a food systems approach to policymaking is absolute music to my ears. This document, prepared with the Observatory of Food and Nutrition Security Policies (OPSAN) and the Climate and Society Institute (ICS) is a perfect example of integrated approaches to the issues of food security and climate. Key points: 🌾🌎 it emphasises the interconnection of climate change and food and nutrition security, noting the two-way relationship: food systems contribute to climate change, and climate change threatens food systems 🛣️ it offers a roadmap for action in public policies to promote food and nutritional security through a just transition of food systems which adapt to climate challenges 🤝 it stresses the importance of democratic governance and social participation in decision-making processes ⚠️ it promotes adaptation of production, supply, and consumption, including land use planning, biodiversity, food loss and waste, food environments, and the role of science, tech, and innovation. Specific recommended actions include: ➡️🏝️ protecting and restoring land ➡️🍲 investing in diversification ➡️🏗️ strengthening storage structures and logistical infrastructure ➡️💹 monitoring food prices during climate crises ➡️🏙️ integrating food into urban planning and expanding urban and peri-urban agriculture with agroecological practices, while creating healthy food environments that facilitate access to healthy and sustainable choices The themes of integrated thinking, inter-sectoral and inter-ministerial collaboration, and inclusive governance come through strongly, as does the importance of the research agenda. Following an important G20 Presidency for food (with the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, notably), it looks very much as though Brazil's COP30 Presidency will be a major boon for food systems advocates and actors. NB Portuguese only for now but English coming soon.

Kenya's fertile lands clash with hunger: 100th out of 127 Countries on the 2024 Global Hunger Index, 35% undernourished, circa KES 500B import bill. Agriculture (25% GDP, 70% rural jobs) fails due to informal value chains. Smallholders (80%) face broker exploitation, 30-40% post-harvest losses, gluts/shortages. Affordable Fertiliser helps upstream, but needs downstream fixes: Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) and Commodity Exchange. WRS Foundation: Farmers deposit produce, get receipts as collateral/loans, store to avoid distress sales, cut losses. Commodity Exchange: Transparent trading (e.g., KOMEX and CMX) ends opacity, enabling hedging. Ethiopia's ECX proves it: surpluses from deficits. Synergies: Formal chain boosts farmer value 30-50%, cuts imports 40%, adds GDP. Imperatives: Certify warehouses, harmonise regulations, PPPs, and digital training. Act now—time for nourished Kenya.

Families are facing an urgent food crisis. If hunger or childhood nutrition are causes you care about, consider how they connect to workforce development, housing, local food systems, education, and childcare. First, respond with compassion to the immediate need in front of you.  Then, lay the bricks to fortify a stronger, more resilient system. *For immediate need, think: Organizations that already have the infrastructure set up to respond. - Food banks and Meals on Wheels - Groups like PTAs that can rally together to cover meals for students - Rule of thumb: Monetary donations go a longer way than in-kind. *For more resilient systems, think: Strengthening industries that help families withstand and recover from crisis. - Local farmers and farmers' market that accept SNAP or Double Up Bucks - Re-skilling and job placement programs - Low / no cost childcare so parents can put more dollars toward groceries Strategic philanthropy means ensuring every child’s stomach is full today — and that every household has the consistent income and purchasing power to buy healthy, fresh food tomorrow.

What if I told you extreme poverty could be eliminated in our lifetime? Not reduced. Not managed. Eliminated. It sounds impossible—but the data tells a different story. 🌍 The Reality: Extreme poverty isn't just about income. It's a multi-dimensional trap: lack of education, healthcare, clean water, safe housing, and economic opportunity. Breaking this cycle requires more than aid—it demands systemic change. Yet despite this complexity, we've seen unprecedented progress. In the past 30 years, global extreme poverty has dropped from 36% to less than 10%. That's over 1 billion people lifted out of destitution. Two programs show us what's possible: 📊 Brazil's Bolsa Familia Conditional cash transfers tied to school attendance and health check-ups lifted 36 million people out of poverty while improving education and health outcomes by 20-30%. 📊 China's Targeted Poverty Alleviation 800 million people moved above the poverty line through infrastructure investment, job creation, and data-driven household support—the largest poverty reduction in human history. 🔑 What Makes These Work: ✓ Empowerment over dependency Cash + conditions create pathways to self-sufficiency, not aid dependency ✓ Multidimensional approach Addressing health, education, and economic access simultaneously ✓ Community involvement Solutions designed with, not for, the people they serve ✓ Long-term commitment Sustained investment over decades, not short-term projects The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 1: No Poverty) set an ambitious goal. With the right strategies—equity, empowerment, and sustained political will—ending extreme poverty isn't just aspirational. It's achievable. 👉 Watch my brief video clip to explore the hope that innovative models and human-centered strategies can re-shape our fight against poverty. What innovative poverty reduction models have you seen make real impact? Let's discuss in the comments. 👇 #PovertyReduction #SustainableDevelopment #SocialImpact

Hunger Never Takes a Break—So Why Should We? Hunger never takes a holiday. It does not wait for Mondays. It does not pause for Christmas, Eid, or Independence Day. It shows up—every morning, every evening, and every night. In many parts of Africa, this is not just a headline. It is a lived reality. I have seen it with my own eyes—children going to school on empty stomachs, farmers watching their crops fail due to drought, and mothers trying to stretch one meal into two for their families. This is not just about food. It is about dignity. It is about survival. A child’s empty stomach knows no calendar. A farmer’s pain after a failed harvest feels no mercy. When there is no rain, no seeds, and no support, hope dries up too. And yet, Africa holds immense potential. The continent has 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. There is innovation happening in irrigation, climate-smart farming, food preservation, and digital agriculture. The problem is not lack of land or even talent. It is a question of access, coordination, and will. We need to make fighting hunger a daily mission. Not just a campaign. Not just a seasonal donation. But a mindset. Every single day. Because hunger never takes a break, neither should we. Governments need to make policies that empower smallholder farmers—especially women and youth. We need financing that is accessible. We need tools that are affordable. We need skills that are practical and local. NGOs, the private sector, and farmers' cooperatives must come together—not just for aid, but to build resilient food systems. I believe agriculture can be Africa’s greatest weapon against hunger. Not just by growing more food, but by creating jobs, adding value, and building wealth. When a farmer is empowered with knowledge, tools, and market access, hunger loses its grip. I have worked with farmers across Rwanda. They do not want handouts. They want access. They want opportunity. They want their children to eat, learn, and thrive. They are willing to work—but they cannot do it alone. We all have a role to play. If you are a policymaker, a buyer, an entrepreneur, a teacher, or a storyteller—your voice matters. Your actions count. Because every time we act, we move one step closer to zero hunger. Every innovation, every training, every new market connection—it matters. Africa can feed itself. Africa can feed the world. But only if we treat hunger as the emergency that it is. So the next time you sit down for a meal, think about the millions who cannot. And then ask yourself—what can I do today? Because hunger never takes a break. And neither can we. #TheMugabofarmer #FeedAfrica #ZeroHunger #AfricanFarmers #ActForFood #AgriForChange

In 2023, nearly 14% of U.S. households were food insecure at some time during the year. And nearly 18% of households with children experienced food insecurity that year. Closer to home, 1 in 8 Georgians experiences hunger and that number rises to 1 in 5 of our state's children according to Feeding America. Our neighbors are experiencing hunger, which is heartbreaking in a state that prides itself in agribusiness being our number one industry according to Georgia Department of Economic Development. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I know firsthand that nutrition can impair health and immunity, lower productivity, and hinder development and learning. I saw this first hand in my work in both clinical pediatrics and in school nutrition. Malnourished children can't fight disease or recover as quickly from injury. Hungry children struggle to focus and learn. If a limited budget makes it difficult for you or someone you know to buy food, there is help. Programs like SNAP, WIC, and other supplemental programs are available. School meals like those supported through Georgia School Nutrition feed hungry kids every day. Organizations like MUST Ministries, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feeding Georgia, Feeding America, and other local food banks are amazing resources for communities - especially those who may not qualify for federal nutrition assistance programs. Another essential component is learning to stretch food dollars without substituting nutrition. Learn more about what you can do in this article from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: https://lnkd.in/g3wNyB9M #eatrightPRO #eatrightAmbassador #fighthunger