Next's Word of Thanks - Kaizen Food Rescue

Kaizen Food Rescue was created by Thai Nguyen, a refugee, in 2019. We strive to continually create and improve food security and food justice in the Denver-Metro area. We offer emergency food assistance and deliver fresh surplus produce and food to our community. Next's latest Word of Thanks microgiving campaign supports Kaizen Food Rescue's work to feed Coloradans and strengthen communities.

Mission

Shockingly, the National Resources Defense Council reports that 40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted, which amounts to more than 20 pounds of food per person per month (NRDC, 2017). At Kaizen Food Rescue, we're committed to fighting this waste and improving food justice and health equity in the Denver metro area. By rescuing and redistributing excess food, we can provide access to healthy, culturally relevant food for those in need, while reducing the environmental impact of food waste. Your support can help us continue this critical work. Please donate now and join us in creating a more sustainable and just food system for all.

Background Statement

In 2019, Thai Nguyen, a former refugee, founded Kaizen Food Rescue (Kaizen) with a mission to improve access to healthy and culturally relevant food for local Jefferson County parents, creating a healthier and more vibrant community. Starting as a small fresh food table at Great Work Montessori School in Lakewood, we expanded our work by partnering with nonprofits and utilizing Thai's expertise as an events planner and marketing manager to organize and facilitate fresh food pickups from the Food Bank of the Rockies.

When the pandemic hit and food insecurity tripled (HungerFreeColorado 2020), Kaizen stepped up to provide food security to those in need. We pivoted from a small food rescue to an organization seeking to feed all those in need. Our "community pop-up food shares," a mobile food pantry that supplies emergency food boxes in accordance with CDC guidelines, helped distribute over 11 million pounds of food, making Kaizen one of the largest food distributors and partnership agencies with the Food Bank of the Rockies. We served 4,000 families per month and became a lifeline for many during a difficult time.