Three food-focused companies in Philadelphia are proving profit and purpose are not at odds by driving fair supply chains, inclusive hiring, and sustainable sourcing, writes Debora Reaves Charmelus for Technical.ly.
Philadelphia-based startup Food Forest AI links food and beverage brands with manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to cut inefficiencies in the food supply chain, a major driver of waste. The company applies artificial intelligence to organize industry data across metrics including capabilities, certifications, product catalogs, and facility types. It aims to build an interconnected map that closes gaps, reduces waste, and creates a regenerative loop for the broader food system.
Built around a community garden, Jasper House in Kensington is a hub for BIPOC-led food businesses.
“Philly is such a foodie town — there is so much opportunity to connect over food here,” said Lindsay Bedford, Jasper House community manager. “With the initiatives I lead I think about amplifying the things happening in Kensington. We want to support the narrative that Philly is a place to be, beginning here in Kensington.”
More than three years in the making, Out West aims to provide second-chance employment for individuals reentering society after incarceration, following the model established by Muhammad Abdul-Hadi’s earlier venture, Down North Pizza.
Read more about Philadelphia’s ethical food businesses and how they operate in Technical.ly.
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