An Interview With Martita Mestey
Trust boils down to being honest and consistent. At Red Rabbit, it’s crucial our partners believe in our commitment to excellence and our dedication to the children’s best interests. Building trust takes effort and care, and while it doesn’t cover every mistake, it lays the groundwork for deeper discussions beyond the basics of school food, touching on education, culture, and community growth. I’ve learned that trust is the cornerstone of any strong partnership, signaling a healthy relationship as we expand our collaborations.
In many parts of the United States, there is a crisis of people having limited reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. As prices rise, this problem will likely become more acute. How can this problem be solved? Who are the leaders helping to address this crisis?
In this interview series, we are talking to leaders who are helping to address the increasing problem of food insecurity who can share the initiatives they are leading to address and solve this problem.
As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Nausher Khan.
Nausher Khan, VP of Partner Relations for Red Rabbit, is an accomplished international development practitioner with a focus on food and nutritional security. With over a decade of global experience in various social development fields, Nausher has led initiatives in financial inclusion, media, and human rights organizations. Drawing from his rich Pakistani heritage and a deep understanding of social development challenges, Nausher uses Red Rabbit’s innovative resources to craft creative food solutions that aim to transform and optimize local and regional food systems.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
Throughout my career in social development, I’ve had the opportunity to work across different countries and sectors — focusing on financial inclusion in Pakistan, advancing education in Chile, and supporting governance reforms in Georgia. These experiences have underscored the transformative power of education in driving societal progress and the critical role that food services play within this framework. I’ve come to realize a fundamental insight — food is a remarkable thing. When you have it, it’s easily overlooked, and when you don’t, it becomes everything.
This epiphany has shaped my career, steering me toward the development of innovative school feeding programs. I’ve seen firsthand the wide-reaching impact these programs can have — not just in alleviating hunger, but in enhancing educational outcomes and overall child well-being. My goal is to harness the power of these feeding programs to create substantial social change, ensuring children receive the nutrition they need to thrive and the opportunity to reach their full potential in education and life.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Throughout my career, I’ve been captivated by the intricate web connecting poverty, public policy, education, and culture. While pinpointing a single most interesting story is challenging, the standout revelation for me has been the transformative role of school food programs in public health and societal well-being. Learning about their capacity to address chronic malnutrition, close gender gaps in education, and strengthen local economies has been inspiring.
Seeing the real-world effects of these programs — how they empower communities, support children’s health, and contribute to economic growth — has reinforced my dedication to this work. Every day brings a sense of fulfillment, knowing that we’re making strides in not just feeding the hungry but also building stronger, healthier communities.
Are you able to identify a “tipping point” in your career when you started to see success? Did you start doing anything different? Are there takeaways or lessons that others can learn from that?
Looking back, my understanding of success has deepened, focusing more on the tangible impact I can create. A significant turning point in my career was when I embraced my drive to use school food programs as tools for improving educational outcomes and addressing food insecurity. It was this alignment of my personal beliefs with my professional goals that marked a shift in my journey.
Another pivotal moment was joining Red Rabbit. I felt as though I had finally found an organization that resonated deeply with my commitment to racial equity, the importance of culturally relevant food, and the slow food movement’s principles.
The most important lesson from my experience is the value of alignment. I encourage others to pursue roles and opportunities that bridge their passions with the world’s needs — where your work is your calling. This concept, often described as ‘Ikigai,’ brings not only career advancement, but a profound sense of satisfaction and purpose.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person to whom you are grateful who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Reflecting on my journey, I owe immense gratitude to my first employer, the visionary founder of Akhuwat, the world’s largest interest-free microfinance organization. His mentorship was pivotal, not just in honing my skills in social development, but in nurturing my passion for impactful work. He entrusted me with significant responsibilities early on, allowing me to explore various roles and leadership positions that shaped my understanding of governance and social entrepreneurship.
One particularly transformative experience was when he encouraged me to lead an affiliated transgender support program. Initially, I struggled to see the relevance to my background in financial inclusion. However, as I delved deeper into the program, engaging with participants and witnessing their stories and struggles, I was deeply moved by the profound impact we could achieve. This role not only broadened my perspective, but also instilled in me an empathy-driven approach that has influenced my work ever since, especially at Red Rabbit. This journey taught me the value of mentorship, the importance of embracing diverse experiences, and the lasting impact of leading with compassion and understanding.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Trust. Trust boils down to being honest and consistent. At Red Rabbit, it’s crucial our partners believe in our commitment to excellence and our dedication to the children’s best interests. Building trust takes effort and care, and while it doesn’t cover every mistake, it lays the groundwork for deeper discussions beyond the basics of school food, touching on education, culture, and community growth. I’ve learned that trust is the cornerstone of any strong partnership, signaling a healthy relationship as we expand our collaborations.
Transparency. Being open and clear is vital, both within our team and with our partners. People respond better and engage more fully when they know what’s going on — why we’re doing something, what challenges we face, and how they fit into the picture. Leading with transparency fosters a sense of equality and encourages everyone to take part and take ownership. It’s been a game-changer in how we work and collaborate.
Courage to conceive, conviction to pursue and resilience to resolve. This trio might seem like a cheat, but together, they’ve driven my entrepreneurial spirit. It’s about having the guts to dream up new solutions, the determination to turn those ideas into reality, and the resilience to see things through or let go when necessary. These qualities keep me pushing forward, tackling challenges head-on, and staying flexible in the face of obstacles. On is one of the hardest yet necessary traits for a successful leader to personify.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Dreams are not necessarily those that you have while sleeping, dreams are those that do not let you sleep.” — APJ Abdul Kalam
This was shared with me early in my career by my mentor and it helped elucidate the importance of having a vision for your work and aligning your professional activities to be in pursuit of that vision. It has served as an important guiding principle for me. Even if your day-day may seem removed from your ultimate destination, you know that you will never steer far off course as long as your actions are directed towards a vision.
Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Can you describe to our readers how your work is helping to address the challenge of food insecurity?
At Red Rabbit, our mission is centered around addressing food insecurity by providing equitable access to nutritious and culturally relevant meals for students in underserved communities. My team and I have the privilege of ensuring that students within most vulnerable and historically overlooked neighborhoods have a chance to receive healthy, affordable, and culturally diverse food every single day. We start by identifying the areas with the highest degree of need which is determined by the food insecurity rates, household income levels, and demographic composition. Moreover, we typically focus on locating charter schools where the majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, targeting high-need, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Once these schools have been identified, we hire chefs who come from the same communities as the students to craft menus that reflect the unique heritage of each school. The chefs prepare a variety of meals that are most familiar to the students including Jollof Rice and Jerk Salmon, which have become student favorites. By incorporating cultural authenticity into each meal, we not only address the immediate need for nourishment, but also foster a sense of belonging, pride, and connection. We’ve made it a priority to address food insecurity in a holistic sense with culturally sensitivity because we recognize that by doing so, we’re helping ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive physically, academically, and emotionally.
Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud? Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?
I’m most proud of our ability to provide meals that not only nourish the children we serve, but also spark their curiosity and make them feel valued. It’s especially important for the kids whom school meals are their primary source of nutrition. We aim to offer more than just food; we strive to provide a dignified and thoughtful dining experience.
In your opinion, what should other business and civic leaders do to further address these problems? Can you please share a few things that can be done to further address the problem of food insecurity?
Business and civic leaders have a crucial role in combating food insecurity by fostering policies and models that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. We should focus on ensuring everyone, especially those most vulnerable, has access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant food. Leveraging business as a catalyst for positive change can create valuable job opportunities, protect our environment, and offer equitable chances for all.
To address this challenge, we must advocate for policies that empower micro and small enterprises, particularly from marginalized communities, and stimulate private sector investment. Implementing tax and zoning incentives for establishing grocery stores and nutritious food options in underserved areas is vital. These actions can foster a cooperative dynamic among policymakers, business leaders, and communities.
Prioritizing child nutrition and broader social welfare programs is also crucial. Supporting initiatives like Universal School Meals Program Act, WIC, EBT, SNAP, and CACFP, is fundamental. These programs are not just assistance, they’re investments in our future that ensure schools and community-based organizations continue serving on the frontlines of defense against food insecurity.
Are there other leaders or organizations who have done good work to address the challenge of food scarcity? Can you tell us what they have done? What specifically impresses you about their work? Perhaps we can reach out to them to include them in this series.
Food security is a very complex issue as it sits at the intersection of business, public policy, urban planning, agriculture, education and social design. Many leaders in this nation have risen to the challenge of addressing food security in their lane.
People such as Marion Nestle, a notable academic who has worked for decades on advocating for institutional food reform and social welfare spending as necessary tools to combat food insecurity.
Organizations like the HEAL Food Alliance (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) fights for sustainable food systems through a multifaceted approach focusing on advocacy, policy reform, and the provision of a platform for underrepresented voices in the food system (agriculture workers, value chain laborers, public health and the environment). Having a groundswell of community leaders throughout the entire food systems’ voices represented in the halls of power is a remarkable effort and a great example of inclusive and participatory democracy.
Feeding America Network is a national network that serves as the frontline for the emergency food infrastructure by providing supplemental food for people who are otherwise unable to take care of all of their daily food needs. The members of the network are the food banks we know and quite a few of us rely on in the community. They address people’s hunger daily and fight on their behalf to bridge the gaps between the haves and have-nots.
DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed. This innovative approach to qualified job creation for people who have passed through the carceral system and impact creation by providing additional healthy food options for children in DC public schools is of note and something I find very impressive. Their commitment to the community and desire to drive change further entrenches them as an organization that many can look up to as an example of using business as a force for social change.
If you had the power to influence legislation, are there laws that you would like to see introduced that might help you in your work
Absolutely. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization is an urgent priority. This would ensure that extremely integral programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Child & Adult Care Food Program, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will be authorized to operate irrespective of the political landscape.
Additionally, the adoption of the Universal School Meals Program Act, introduced by Rep. Ilhan Omar in May 2023, is a necessary step to ensure every child in this country, irrespective of their legal or socio-economic status, has equitable access to appropriate food/nutrition daily. These legislations have passed at the state level in approximately 11 states but need to be universal across the country.
The adoption of good food purchasing principles at a federal level to ensure all institutional procurement meets the needs of the people, environment, and society at large is the need of the hour. This shift will usher in a new era of food systems and work to be maximally inclusive and support those who currently languish at the hands of a system designed to keep quality, nutritious, and affordable foods out of their reach.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could ignite a movement, it would be to revolutionize social feeding programs globally by integrating them with local agricultural development and holistic welfare programming. I envision public policy where any person in need can access nutritious meals sourced from local farmers, intertwining community growth with public health and learning. This initiative would not only ensure equitable access to healthy food but also educate them on nutrition and sustainable practices, instilling values that support personal and community well-being. By connecting education, nutrition, and agriculture, we can cultivate a brighter future for children worldwide, creating a cycle of growth and nourishment that benefits everyone involved.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to grab lunch with the CEO of Chobani, Hamdi Ulukaya, to discuss the different ways business can be used as a force multiplier for social impact. He has built a brand that provides value to the end user and takes care of their communities, both locally and globally and serves as inspirational models for aspiring social entrepreneurs. As an immigrant, the challenges he faced in establishing and scaling Chobani is something I would like to learn from. His work on hunger reduction and refugee integration in this country through tent partnerships for refugees is a component of his leadership ethos that I think benefits the community greatly. If adopted as a framework by other food and beverage company leaders, such a representation of community-centered and empathy-forward leadership can be instrumental in transforming the business landscape of the country.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Red Rabbit’s work is primarily in the cafeteria, but for those who are not able to visit with us at a school, I invite you to connect with us on LinkedIn and follow our vibrant community on Instagram at @myredrabbit. For deeper insights into our mission and latest news, our website is always accessible for you to explore at www.myredrabbit.com. Join us on this impactful journey!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much, and we wish you only continued success.
How Nausher Khan Of Red Rabbit Is Helping To Address The Growing Challenge Of Food Insecurity was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.