089: Transforming Food Waste into Community Support

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Hillary Cohen and Sam Luu, co-founders of Everyday Action, a nonprofit dedicated to recovering food from the entertainment industry and redistributing it to those in need. They discuss their journey from working in the entertainment industry to founding Everyday Action, the challenges they faced, and the importance of community and collaboration in their mission. The conversation highlights the impact of their work, the growth of their organization, and their aspirations for the future.

Takeaways

Everyday Action aims to inspire people to take action every day.

The organization started as a response to food waste and insecurity in Los Angeles.

Frustration can be a powerful motivator for positive change.

Collaboration is key to the success of Everyday Action.

The entrepreneurial journey requires discipline and adaptability.

Mistakes are learning opportunities that contribute to growth.

Community support is essential for nonprofit success.

Everyday Action has fed over 110,000 people in a year.

The organization is focused on building a sustainable community hub.

Future aspirations include expanding their collaborative efforts with other nonprofits.

Sound bites

"Nothing is too complicated."

"We need each other and we need community."

"We can use volunteers all days 24-7."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Everyday Action

01:14 The Mission Behind Everyday Action

05:35 Turning Frustration into Action

09:09 The Entrepreneurial Journey

12:04 Collaboration and Community Building

15:25 Growth and Impact of Everyday Action

19:54 Evolving Operations and Strategies

25:18 The Role of Community and Support

26:49 Future Aspirations and Closing Thoughts