Table for Two is working to eliminate global hunger and reduce health issues related to unhealthy eating. By providing healthy meals and food education for children around the world, Table for Two is lessening the impact of food insecurity while simultaneously encouraging healthy eating habits. Learn more about their work here!
Why is TFT’s work needed?
In our world of 8 billion people, 800 million suffer from hunger while another 2 billion suffer from obesity and other health related issues due to unhealthy eating. Globally chronic hunger and malnutrition are on the rise. At the same time, our world faces rapidly increasing overweight and obesity levels. Our creative social programs aim to reduce both of these important issues. In the US, school children receive an annual average of 3.5 hours of food and nutrition education, with the majority of schools having no food education programs. We work to fill that gap by teaching students about food culture and providing hands-on learning in how to prepare healthy meals.
Can you tell me about your meal sharing program?
Table for Two works to right global food imbalances through our unique meal sharing program, which tackles obesity and malnutrition at the same time. We partner with various organizations to provide healthier options in food establishments like cafeterias, restaurants, vending machines, and more. For every TFT meal served to a customer, $0.25 is donated to provide school meals for children in need in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and in low income areas of the US. We have created unique collaborations, like our partnership with Whole Foods. The TFT Roll and TFT Bento Box available for purchase in 160 Whole Foods locations across the US, and a portion of profits pays for a meal for a student in need.
Where does TFT operate?
TFT was started in Japan in 2007 by the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders. Since then, we have expanded into 14 countries, including the US, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. Tackling world hunger requires various approaches that resonate with local needs. Our teams in each location offer customized programs. We’ve served over 100 million school meals, have opened over 300 school and community gardens, and taught over 400 food education classes to over 4,500 participants.
What do some of your local programs entail?
In Zanzibar, we have a Home Grown School Feeding Program, where we purchase ingredients from local farms to create healthy meals for students. In the Philippines, we have a series of lectures for mothers about healthy eating and the importance of cooking nutritionally balanced meals for kids. We teach young American students about the principles of Japanese food culture, equipping them with practical knowledge to form lifelong healthy eating habits. Our innovative sustainable school gardens in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania give communities the ability to learn about agriculture practices, have access to healthy produce, and provide a stream of income. We have some special meal programs in places like Rwanda for children who are HIV positive or diagnosed as severely undernourished.
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