With a relentless mission to bridge the gap between surplus food and communities in need, Rethink Food was recently acknowledged for its efforts and named a 2023 Gamechanger in ESG by CohnReznick. The premium advisory, assurance, and tax firm highlights United States-based organizations in the not-for-profit, affordable housing, renewable energy, and technology sectors that are championing environmental, social, and governance principles while working to improve business resiliency and, in turn, enhance value for stakeholders.
This is the second year of the awards program for CohnReznick, which works with progressive organizations on managing risk, maximizing value, and exploring optimal performance, serving clients through its global subsidiaries and membership in Nexia International.
Since its inception in 2017, Rethink Food has been developing solutions to build a more sustainable and equitable food system by partnering with a national network of restaurants and food vendors to decrease food waste and deliver nutritious, culturally relevant meals for those in the community coping with food challenges.
In addition to funding the allocation of several thousands of meals a week through restaurant partners, Rethink Food takes half a million pounds of excess ingredients and crafts it into more than 8,500 meals a week in its commissary kitchen to be distributed to hungry citizens. As a result, it aids America’s ongoing hunger crisis while helping the environment.
Rethink Food has handed out over 15 million meals to date and given back $50 million to small and medium-size restaurants and businesses as part of its ongoing initiatives.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this award and grateful for CohnReznick’s program to recognize U.S. organizations that are creating lasting change through sustainable practices,” a Rethink Food spokesperson shared. “Hand-in-hand with a network of like-minded restaurants and food businesses, we’re redefining how we can collectively impact not only the lives of the community we serve but also the environment around us.”
Rethink Food’s headquarters are located in New York, but the nonprofit is also present in Chicago, Miami, and Nashville, Tennessee.
The winners for this year’s Gamechangers in ESG Awards program were examined and rated by a panel of judges at the helm of ESG and sustainability fields.
Applications were reviewed and scored by an independent panel of judges who work in capital markets, academia, law, and environmental and social justice.
Some of these judges included Sunwealth CFO Omar Blayton, founder and executive director of Conscious Venture Lab Jeff Cherry, The Climate Board CEO Angela Paulk, and Hunter Lovins, president of Natural Capitalism Solutions.
“We are truly impressed by the caliber of applications that we received for the 2023 Gamechangers in ESG Awards program,” stated David Kessler, CohnReznick CEO. “As our firm continues to prioritize sustainable business practices both internally and through client service offerings, it is inspiring to learn about the multitude of ways that companies, not-for-profits, and students are changing the game through innovation, sustainability strategies, and noteworthy corporate citizenship.
“By sharing their stories, we hope that others will be inspired to incorporate and advance sustainability principles in their organization as well. To this year’s winners, congratulations on behalf of CohnReznick—you are exemplars of changing the game through ESG.”
Rethink Food and the other winners, such as Eden Housing, tech company Anterix, and EDP Renewables North America, will score a home run by having the opportunity to be part of a virtual awards ceremony with Major League Baseball through CohnReznick’s league sponsorship. Rethink Food will also be featured in a video case study alongside other honorees.
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