Triscuit and celebrity chefs take action against food deserts

As food deserts continue to impact many people, Triscuit and celebrity chefs seek change.

While Triscuit is a favorite snack, the brand wants to do more than just be part of people’s snack time. For a significant amount of Americans, food deserts are a reality. The lack of affordable, healthy, fresh food options has only grown in the past year. With the help from some celebrity chefs, Triscuit has launched The Missing Ingredients Project to help alleviate this food issue.

While food insecurity is well known, food deserts are equally as concerning. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a food desert as “low-income areas where at least 500 people, or at least 33 percent of the population, is greater than 1.0 mile from the nearest supermarket, supercenter, or large grocery store for an urban area or greater than 10 miles for a rural area.” With 19 million people impacted by this food issue, the need to make a meaningful change is great.

Launched by Triscuit, The Missing Ingredients Project is a $1 million grant to foster innovative ways to combat food deserts. The hope is that these individuals and non-profit organizations will find a way to bring better foods to those who need it most.

Sally Barton, Senior Brand Manager, Mondelēz International commented that now is the time for companies to take action against this crisis. She said, “The TRISCUIT brand has always been committed to weaving more nourishment into the world, and right now, millions of people live in areas where they cannot find essential nourishing ingredients needed for a balanced diet, only been made worse by the pandemic.”

The Missing Ingredients Project will help fund changemakers in their projects. Over the course of several years, these grants will further the program’s mission.

In addition, Triscuit has partnered with two celebrity chefs, Ludo Lefebvre and Nina Compton, to raise awareness for this issue. Since chefs can often be a voice for social progress, this partnership can spark a bigger conversation on this dire issue.

As part of The Missing Ingredients Project, Triscuit will be showcasing the problems caused by food deserts. From the lack of balanced eating to the need for more nutritious ingredients, the hope is that people will insist on a change to food issue.

While change can take time, everyone can take a step towards a better, more balanced food community. From tackling food insecurity to demanding change in a food dessert, it is time for community action.

How are you making a change in your community?