We know that a diet consisting of only unhealthy fast food is linked to all kinds of health problems and even a shorter life span, but in areas where the median income is at poverty levels, fast food is all you’ll find. We call them food deserts or more accurately, food apartheid. Our guests today are working to change this.
Sam Polk is co-founder and CEO of Everytable, a food company that fights for food justice and equality by providing nutritious food that is accessible and affordable for everyone.
In 2016, Sam, together with friend and former private equity professional David Foster, founded Everytable, a fresh-prepared food business blending grab-and-go storefronts, subscriptions, SmartFridges, and institutional food service. Everytable seeks to dramatically reduce the cost of fresh, nutritious food below the cost of fast food.
They recently launched a pioneering social equity franchise program to empower, train and fund disenfranchised entrepreneurs from marginalized communities to open Everytable franchises in their own communities.
Sam authored a book, For the Love of Money, chronicling his journey from Wall Street to advocate for food justice and an equitable world.
Clare Fox is VP of Strategic Partnerships for Everytable. She leads on government, community and philanthropic partnerships, and strategic initiatives such as Social Equity Franchise and medically tailored meals. Previously, she worked in food systems, policy and advocacy for a decade. She served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. Clare led the organization toward several legislative wins, including universal food stamps at farmer’s markets, the first county urban agriculture program, first citywide food recovery program, and decriminalizing street food. She began her career managing a food access investment program at the City of LA Community Redevelopment Agency. She has served on numerous boards and appointed committees, including the Los Angeles County Inmate Welfare Commission. Clare has a Bachelors of Arts in Critical Social Thought from Mount Holyoke College, and a Masters in Urban Planning from UCLA. All her work is informed by a lifelong commitment to social and racial justice.
Dee Adimora is an Everytable store manager and Everytable University participant through the Social Equity Franchise (SEF) program. As a veteran fast food worker from Compton, Dee struggled with food insecurity, chronic low-wage work, and housing insecurity until she became a manager at Everytable. Now, she is about to become an Everytable franchisee with no upfront investment through Everytable’s Social Equity Franchise initiative.
Instagram - @foreverytable
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