06-01-20 Shopping the Online Farmers’ Market
Guests Patrick Straus and Brandon Monti, Co-founders of Freshconn
This episode will explore the online approach to food quality, value, safety, security and sustainability. While COVID-19 has highlighted weaknesses and inequities in America’s supermarket supply system, online farmers’ markets are emerging to enable consumers to buy freshly harvested produce directly from local farmers. One of these is online shopping companies is FreshConn, a social enterprise providing online ordering, home delivery, nutrition education and food rescue and relief for the less fortunate. At the touch of a few buttons, consumers can support a local system, increase access for better quality food, improve environmental sustainability and keep good farmland in production. We will begin with a Story Walk about divine inspiration, advancing technology and social entrepreneurship.
Guests Patrick Straus and Brandon Monti, Co-founders of Freshconn will talk about how they are combining e-commerce and delivery of local farm fresh food with food rescue and family nutrition education. Freshconn offers a shopping app that empowers farmers to connect directly with consumers and provides “fooda safe” farm-to-doorstep delivery. The delivery drivers are trained in FSMA food safety standards. FreshConn has also launched its first book in a series of online children’s eBOOKS about The Adventures of Eric and Suzie, The Case of the Missing Groceries. The books are free to download, and each shares a story and a healthy recipe. Patrick and Brandon share their own stories and how they came to launch their social enterprise.
Patrick Straus is a chef, entrepreneur and graduate of Johnson & Wales University’s culinary school. Born in the great state of New York, he has dedicated his life to the service of others and the betterment of his community. His experience includes Michelin Kitchens, Relais & Château, agriculture work, Executive Directorship of Feed the Streets USA and most recently his culinary backpacking excursion across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. His inspiration is found in his faith in God, love for food and passion for overcoming any obstacle.
Brandon Monti is a two-time social entrepreneur and Entrepreneurship Center Coordinator at Post University. His focus is on building companies that have a direct effect on the health, wellness and education of communities throughout the United States. His first venture Truepreneurs engaged over 1,200 students in Rhode Island through a comprehensive and Common Core-aligned entrepreneurship program. He also spent several years developing brand strategy for early start-up ventures.
Photo Blog: DeTECHtive Work – https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/detechtive-work
Freshconn Webiste – https://shop.freshconn.com/welcome
FREE eBOOK Solve The Case of the Missing Groceries with Freshconn’s Adventures of Eric and Suzie children’s book & cookbook for a fun afternoon of reading, laughing and cooking a nutritious lunch with your kids. Download at https://shop.freshconn.com/welcome
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