Dive Brief:
- Food waste, in which billions of pounds of edible foods are thrown away each year, and food deserts, areas in poorer communities where food choices are few, are two of the industry's biggest challenges.
- The former president of Trader Joe's hopes to kill two birds with one stone -- taking food that is past its expiration date and using it to create low-cost, nutritious meals that he'll sell through a new market in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boson.
- Rauch's hybrid restaurant and grocery store, dubbed the Daily Table, will open in early 2014.
Dive Insight:
When we hear about folks like Rauch we tend to get all misty-eyed and full of love for all people. We also tend to feel a little guilty, and start wondering when we're going to do something worthwhile to help others. Well it won't be today. We're extraordinarily busy today. Lots to do. Can't spend a lot of time thinking about the problems of the poor or the environment. Nope. Got a big meeting later today. And a bunch of deadlines to meet. You would not believe how busy we are today. And obligations? Man, we have so much that absolutely must be done today that we have no idea how we're going to do it. Nope. Can't do anything about the planet or the poor today. No. Sorry. Super busy today. Swamped.
(Note: if you'd like to learn more about how capitalism can be used for the public good, consider attending the Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit in October. Rauch spoke at the summit in 2011. This year there's a new crew of folks with interesting ideas.)
