Food Shift, a Project of Earth Island InstituteFood Shift, a Project of Earth Island Institute“In overlooked food with imperfections, we see the power to nourish.
In overlooked neighbors who face employment discrimination, we see talent and wisdom.
While we understand the deficits in our community, we choose to see and amplify the assets.”
— Yuka Nagashima, Food Shift Executive Director
Food Shift goes beyond traditional food recovery by addressing the intersections of food, climate justice, and equity. We prioritize community nourishment by distributing culturally appropriate food to partners serving those in need. Through consulting services, we share expertise in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our educational resources, like the Seasonal Kitchen Guide, support individuals and families to reduce wasted food and practicing sustainability.
In the Bay Area—an abundant region where one in four people faces food insecurity—we see a clear need for systemic change. Wasted food fuels climate change and depletes critical resources like water and land, while also straining household budgets.
Food Shift recognizes that hunger in the U.S. stems from financial insecurity. That’s why we pursue holistic solutions that combine waste reduction with economic and environmental justice. We are committed to a future where everyone has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive.
Food Shift is… For the people… By the people… With the people
Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) is at the foundation of our values:
“For the people” —Our actions must first and foremost benefit the people we serve, not require them to lean into a broken system. The system needs to be fixed, not the people, because we are not broken.
“By the people” —The team and the people we serve, our collective “we,” see ourselves as an active part of the solution, rather than a charity case to be saved.
“With the people” —We choose to walk this journey together, in partnership with others with shared values and goals, amplifying their voices, and seeking solutions on behalf of the larger community.
Let’s shift the way people think about food and use food to uplift our community, including our planet. We are broadening our impact, starting with our team of staff, apprentices and volunteers, to recover and redistribute food, maximize household food, and amplify the voices of people in our community to share our stories with the rest of the world.
