Lauren Bush Lauren, founder & CEO of FEED Projects: Talks at GS Session Highlights

Origins and Mission:

• Founder, a former college student, launched the organization "Feed" after traveling with the UN World Food Program (WFP) at age 19, witnessing that over 800 million people globally suffer from hunger, a figure surpassing combined deaths from HIV, TB, and malaria.
• The venture was established as a for-profit enterprise to market consumer goods that directly fund social impact, initially selling burlap bags where the purchase price explicitly funds 100 meals per unit.
• The model evolved to include a non-profit foundation to manage direct donations for on-the-ground partners, including the WFP, Feeding America, City Harvest, and the Food Bank for New York.

Strategic Programs and Mechanics:

• Feed Supper: A grassroots fundraising initiative occurring from September 16 to October 16, aiming to collectively raise funds for 1 million meals; at $1.10 per dollar raised, donations are split 50% for international school feeding and 50% for domestic food banks.
• School Feeding Strategy: The organization prioritizes WFP's school lunch programs in 62 of the world's poorest countries, utilizing free meals to improve attendance, literacy, and specifically encourage families to send girls to school by offering extra food rations for good attendance records.
• Consumer Model: The brand positions itself as a conduit to turn regular consumers into donors and advocates by selling tangible products rather than relying solely on traditional charitable donations.

Domestic and Global Hunger Statistics:

• Nearly 50 million Americans are food insecure, with two-thirds forced to choose between food and medical care, and one-third choosing between food and education.
• Globally, approximately 80% of the hungry population consists of women and children; women often sacrifice their own meals to feed their families.
• While the population has grown, the number of hungry people has decreased by 100 million over the past decade, indicating progress toward the Millennium Development Goal of halving global hunger by 2015.

Operational Innovations:

• Modern food banks are adopting a "choice shopping" model, allowing clients to select their own items in a grocery-store-like environment to maintain dignity.
• The organization emphasizes that support programs are intended as temporary bridges to self-sustainability rather than permanent reliance, aiming for communities to eventually close the need for aid.

Future Goals and Forward-Looking Statements:

• Near-term Target: The organization aims to reach 84 million meals distributed by its 10th anniversary in February 2017, with a long-term goal of 100 million meals.
• Legacy Vision: The founder's ultimate dream is to "close up shop" and rebrand to "Fed" once hunger is eradicated, viewing the organization's success by its own obsolescence.
• Trend Outlook: The speaker notes a hopeful trend in global nutrition access but acknowledges the need for accelerated progress to meet the 2015 targets and future sustainability goals.