At its core, the produce industry thrives on relationships. At Feeding America, we know strong relationships with partners are core to increasing access to fresh, nutritious produce for our neighbors facing hunger. As the director of regional agri sourcing at Feeding America, I have had the opportunity to see unique and innovative ways to utilize industry relationships to help elevate the mission and accomplish just that.

I first crossed paths with Amanda Keefer, senior director of marketing and communications at the Healthy Family Project, over a decade ago while I was working on a produce initiative to get more local produce into the school systems through the USDA Farm to School Grant Program. One of the pillars of the grant focused on produce education. It was then I discovered the Produce for Kids program, which is now a part of the Healthy Family Project. Amanda’s daughter, Mia, was with her during our first meeting as Amanda was balancing being a working mom. As a fellow working mom, I felt an instant connection, especially because our shared passion for increasing access to healthy food was deeply personal. Over the years, my job has changed from the Farm to School Grant Program to Feeding America, but our relationship and unwavering dedication to making a difference has remained constant.

What started in the office with Amanda that day grew into relationships with the whole Healthy Family Project team and evolved into true friendships with a purpose. Our passion for fresh produce, nutrition and giving back is evident not only in our work but also in our camaraderie. Whether we’re brainstorming ideas or sharing a laugh at industry events like the Produce for All Summit or the International Fresh Produce Association Global Show, our teamwork across organizations fuels real change. It’s relationships like these that keep the produce industry vibrant — where business and purpose go hand in hand, and friendships drive meaningful change.

Cause marketing in action
Healthy Family Project’s partnership with Feeding America exemplifies the power of cause marketing. Through in-store campaigns and digital initiatives, they provide shoppers with meaningful ways to give back through everyday purchases. When families buy fresh produce from campaign partners, they are not only choosing healthy options but also supporting brands that help fuel the movement to end hunger. It’s a simple yet impactful way to make grocery shopping an act of kindness.

Since its inception, Healthy Family Project has raised over $8 million and helped to provide more than 22 million meals through the Feeding America network of food banks and partner agencies. These efforts have directly impacted families across the country, ensuring they have access to nutritious food when they need it most.

Beyond fundraising, the partnership amplifies awareness of food insecurity and the need for nutrition education, inspiring industry leaders to take action. Whether it’s hosting events, rallying produce brands to participate or sharing stories of impact, the team at Healthy Family Project ensures that the message reaches far and wide.

Carry the cause
One of the latest initiatives, Carry the Cause, takes this mission to the next level by encouraging shoppers to purchase a reusable shopping bag, which in turn triggers donations to Feeding America. It’s a hands-on way for consumers to actively participate in the movement to end hunger while making healthy choices for their own families.

Want to get involved?
The impact of partnerships like the one between Healthy Family Project and Feeding America proves that working together creates lasting change, but there’s still more to be done. There are countless ways for organizations to join the movement to end hunger. We partner with producers, retailers and manufactures on cause marketing campaigns throughout the year. Organizations can also get involved by supporting participating Healthy Family Project partner brands, sponsoring a Carry the Cause event in your community, donating directly to Feeding America, or team-building volunteering events at your local food bank. If your organization is looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, consider partnering with Feeding America. We can create a future where fresh, nutritious food is accessible to all.