Reducing Food Waste: Betty Ban Of Evermeal Labs On How They Are Helping To Eliminate Food Waste

An Interview With Martita Mestey

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help: Whether it’s hiring a nanny, getting a business coach, or seeking advice from other successful entrepreneurs, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Julia Collins, co-founder of Zume Pizza, underlines the importance of seeking help and advice during her entrepreneurial journey.

It has been estimated that each year, more than 100 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to more than $160 billion worth of food thrown away each year. At the same time, in many parts of the United States, there is a crisis caused by people having limited access to healthy & affordable food options. The waste of food is not only a waste of money and bad for the environment, but it is also making vulnerable populations even more vulnerable.

Authority Magazine started a new series called “How Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Hospitality Companies and Food Companies Are Helping To Eliminate Food Waste.” In this interview series, we are talking to leaders and principals of Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Hospitality Companies, Food Companies, and any business or nonprofit that is helping to eliminate food waste, about the initiatives they are taking to eliminate or reduce food waste.

As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Betty Ban.

Betty Ban is Co-founder and CEO of Evermeal Labs. She is a lifelong learner and tech entrepreneur with a master’s degree in education. Her passion for helping people learn and grow has been a driving force behind her success as a 2X startup founder. As an immigrant woman and mother, she has faced fair share of obstacles, but she has never let those challenges hold her back. Instead, she has used them as motivation to work wiser, and to create opportunities for herself and others. She was proud to represent and advocate for other women and minorities in business, and she is seeking ways to give back to her community.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

In my 20s and early 30s, I was completely consumed by my career aspirations, often neglecting my own well-being and health. It wasn’t until I faced infertility challenges and underwent a series of exhausting IVF treatments that I realized the profound impact my diet had on my overall health.

The birth of my two precious children marked a turning point in my life. It sparked a deep desire to make positive changes in my eating habits and create a healthier lifestyle for my family. Motivated by my personal health battles and the newfound purpose I discovered as a parent, I embarked on a transformative journey that led me to create a meal planning platform.

Through my platform, I aim to empower individuals and families to prioritize their health, simplify their meal planning process, and make nourishing choices that will positively impact their lives. It’s a testament to the lessons I’ve learned and the commitment I have to sharing my experiences and knowledge with others.

My vision was not just to provide a solution to the challenges of sourcing and preparing nutritious food, but to empower millions of families. This platform is about more than just meal planning; it’s a tool to help families achieve their health goals, gain financial freedom, and ultimately improve their quality of life. My journey has shaped me, and through this platform, I hope to shape the future of healthy living for families everywhere.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company or organization?

As the founder of Evermeal Labs, I started on a journey into the food industry with a beginner’s mindset, and what I discovered shocked me. The prevalence of food insecurity issues both in the United States and globally was staggering.

According to Refed Organization’s recent article: “In 2021 alone, retailers generated a staggering 5.12 million tons of surplus food, with nearly 35% of it ending up in landfills or incinerated as waste. Produce, dairy & eggs, and fresh meat & seafood accounted for a significant portion of this waste, and confusion over freshness date labels contributed to more than half of it. On a positive note, 19.5% of the surplus food was donated to help those facing food insecurity, making it the largest sector in terms of donations.”

We believe we all have a part of addressing the root causes of food waste and food insecurity, we can empower millions of families to lead healthier lifestyles, bridge the wealth gap, prevent chronic diseases, and transform the lives of countless individuals and future generations.

Since the inception of Evermeal Labs, we have closely examined the entire food industry ecosystem, including sustainable farms, food distribution supply chains, nutrition and diet, and non-profit and public policy sectors. We understand that this is a complex system with multiple stakeholders across the private and public sectors.

According to the nonprofit organization Feeding America that Americans waste over $408 billion on food each year, with dairy products being the most discarded item. The average American family of four throws out $1,600 worth of produce annually. In fact, the United States discards more food than any other country, accounting for nearly 40 million tons or 30–40% of the entire US food supply.

One of the most intriguing findings is that reducing food waste at home is one of the top recommendations for reshaping the consumer environment. This is where our mission comes in — to leverage technology and innovation to help individuals and families make a difference at the individual and household levels.

By integrating simple yet impactful features into our digital platforms, such as meal planning, deliberate grocery store shopping lists, portion control education, and facilitating food donations to pantries or individuals in need, we can streamline these efforts and create a lasting impact.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Last year, as I dived into the world of the food business, I reached out to various people I knew who had experience in the industry. It was quite a surprising turn of events when I found myself seeking help from an unexpected source — my own church. Little did I know that our church had an incredible kitchen facility that was renowned in town. With a mix of excitement and hope, I approached our humble pastors and shared my ambitious food business plans. They graciously listened to my pitch and kindly offered a tour of the kitchen, allowing me to see firsthand the impressive facilities.

To my surprise, one of the pastors went above and beyond, connecting me with the city inspector to ensure that I was well-prepared for the compliance requirements of the food business. Their support and guidance were truly invaluable.

However, as time went on, my research and plans evolved, and I found myself no longer in need of the kitchen space. Nevertheless, the pastors’ blessings and encouragement stayed with me, serving as a reminder of the importance of reaching out and building a supportive network.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson in entrepreneurship — it’s not just about hiding behind a computer screen; it’s about forging genuine connections and seeking support from unexpected places. Building a community of believers and supporters can make all the difference on the journey to success.

How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?

Leadership, in the context of tech startup leadership, involves guiding and inspiring a team to cultivate a positive culture and foster long-lasting innovation. It goes beyond just managing tasks and people; it’s about setting a clear vision, empowering individuals, and creating an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and growth.

In the startup world, founding team members set up the foundation for leadership. Leadership teams establish an inclusive and supportive culture where team members feel valued and encouraged to voice their ideas. They actively listen to their team, provide mentorship and guidance, and create opportunities for individuals to take ownership of their work. They promote a learning mindset, allowing room for experimentation and embracing failure as a means of learning and improvement. Through their leadership, they inspire the team to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation that leads to the long-term success of the startup.

Ultimately, tech startup leadership is about fostering a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and personal growth, while providing guidance and support to enable the team to reach their full potential and drive the company forward.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Proverbs 27:23–24 is a biblical verse that states:

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”

Proverbs 27:23–24 teaches leaders to take diligent care of their responsibilities because success is not guaranteed or permanent. It emphasizes attentive stewardship and the transient nature of success.

1. Know Your Team: Just as the verse calls for understanding the condition of your flocks, a good leader should be familiar with their team. Know their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and challenges. Regularly check in with them and provide support as needed.
2. Take Care of Your Business: Give careful attention to all aspects of your startup, including product development, sales, marketing, customer service, and finance. Be involved and knowledgeable without micromanaging.
3. Plan for the Future: The verse warns that riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. This can remind leaders that success can be fleeting and that it’s essential to plan and strategize for the future. Don’t rest on your laurels; keep innovating and improving.
4. Adaptability: The transient nature of success underscores the need for flexibility. Markets change, customer preferences evolve, and challenges arise. As a leader, you should be ready to adapt and pivot when necessary.
5. Humility: Understanding that success can be temporary promotes humility, a valuable quality in a leader. It encourages leaders to appreciate their achievements, value their team members, and understand that success is often a collective effort.

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition of terms so that all of us are on the same page. What exactly are we talking about when we refer to food waste?

According to the nonprofit organization Feeding America: “ As consumers, we also tend to buy more food than we can actually consume. Shockingly, the average American family of four throws away approximately $1,600 worth of produce each year. It’s no wonder that better planning is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent food waste.”

From farms and grocers to restaurants and households, everyone is contributing to the problem. The good news is that each of us can make a difference at each stage. We see food banks and the emergence of innovative platforms like Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market helping farms sell off misshaped, but perfectly delicious, produce that would otherwise go to waste.

If you’re wondering what you can personally do to reduce waste, consider taking your meal planning to the next level with Evermeal. This innovative service not only saves families valuable time by streamlining their meal and party planning, but it also keeps track of everyone’s dietary information and purchasing habits within your community.

1. Overproduction: One of the main causes of food waste is the tendency to produce more food than necessary, whether it’s at the household level, in restaurants, or within the supply chain. Overestimating demand or serving sizes contributes to this issue.
2. Inadequate storage and handling: Improper storage and handling practices can lead to food spoilage before it can be consumed. Factors such as improper temperature control, lack of proper packaging, or inadequate preservation techniques can accelerate food waste.
3. Lack of meal planning: Without effective meal planning, individuals and households often purchase more food than they can consume within a given timeframe. This can result in unused ingredients or leftovers being discarded.
4. Confusion over date labels: Date label confusion is a significant contributor to food waste. Many consumers misinterpret “best before” or “sell by” dates as expiration dates, causing them to discard perfectly good food that is still safe to consume. This misconception leads to unnecessary food waste.

Can you help articulate a few of the main causes of food waste?

1. Logistics: Transporting food in a timely and safe manner is a major issue. Food is perishable and needs to be handled and stored correctly to prevent spoilage and ensure it remains safe to eat.
2. Liability Concerns: Some businesses worry they could be held liable if someone gets sick after consuming their donated food, even though legislation like the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act in the U.S. offers protection. Some companies aren’t aware of the options for food donation, or there may not be enough incentives to make it worth their while.
3. Mismatch of Supply and Demand: Sometimes, the types of food that become surplus do not meet the needs or preferences of those who receive donated food.

What are a few of the obstacles that companies and organizations face when it comes to distributing extra or excess food? What can be done to overcome those barriers?

1. Enhance Logistics: Develop or partner with logistical networks that specialize in food redistribution. This can include investing in refrigerated transportation and storage facilities.
2. Clear Legal Guidelines: Increase awareness about protections offered by legislation like the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and provide clear guidelines on safe food handling for donations.
3. Incentivize Donations: Implement tax incentives for businesses that donate food. This could make it more financially appealing for businesses to donate rather than discard excess food.
4. Education and Partnership: Work closely with recipient organizations to better understand their needs. Educate donors about these needs to improve the match between what’s donated and what’s required.
5. Food Waste Tracking and Reduction Technology: Encourage businesses to use technology like inventory management systems that help them track and reduce food waste, and platforms that connect food donors with recipient organizations quickly and efficiently.

Can you describe a few of the ways that you or your organization are helping to reduce food waste?

1. Education and Public Awareness: Raise awareness about the extent of food waste, its environmental impact, and ways to reduce it. This could involve campaigns, workshops, or integrating the topic into school curriculums. Encourage meal planning, understanding date labels, and using leftovers creatively.
2. Policy Changes and Legislation: Politicians can push for changes in laws and regulations. For instance, they could require clearer date labelling on food products or provide incentives for businesses that reduce waste, donate excess food, or recycle/compost food waste.
3. Community Programs: Local communities could set up programs like food banks or community fridges where people can donate excess food. They could also organize composting initiatives to recycle food waste into nutritious soil.

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help address the root of this problem?

1. Non-profit: The Food Recovery Network is the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in the US. They recover perishable food that would otherwise go to waste from their campuses and communities and donate it to people in need. I “I love this multi-faceted approach, tackling both food waste and food insecurity.
2. For-profit: Too Good To Go is a social impact company that connects consumers to restaurants and stores that have unsold, surplus food. Users can purchase this food at a lower price, reducing food waste. The app’s simple and effective solution makes it easy for businesses and individuals to tackle food waste.”
3. Policy Making: The French politician, Arash Derambarsh, led the campaign that resulted in France becoming the first country to ban supermarkets from throwing away unsold food. Instead, they must donate it to charities and food banks. This policy approach has been groundbreaking and instrumental in fighting food waste at a systemic level.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.

1. Balance is Key: As an entrepreneur and a mother, you’re essentially taking on two full-time jobs. It’s crucial to strike a balance between your professional and personal life. For instance, Leah Busque, the founder of TaskRabbit, has spoken about setting strict boundaries to ensure quality time with family.
2. Leverage Your Unique Perspective: As an immigrant, you have a unique perspective that can be a significant asset. For example, Chieh Huang, co-founder of Boxed, used his immigrant parents’ frugality and hard work ethos as a model for his successful business.
3. Find a Supportive Network: Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, and balancing it with parenthood makes it even harder. Seek out supportive networks of other entrepreneurs, especially other women and mothers. This has been the key to success for many, including the immigrant founder of venture-backed company Yumi, Angela Sutherland.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help: Whether it’s hiring a nanny, getting a business coach, or seeking advice from other successful entrepreneurs, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Julia Collins, co-founder of Zume Pizza, underlines the importance of seeking help and advice during her entrepreneurial journey.
5. Resilience is Essential: Starting a business is filled with challenges and setbacks. You’ll need to build resilience and learn to see failures as opportunities to grow. Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and an immigrant’s daughter, speaks about embracing failure as a stepping stone to success

Are there other leaders or organizations who have done good work to address food waste? 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.

1. Non-profit: The Food Recovery Network is the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in the US. They recover perishable food that would otherwise go to waste from their campuses and communities and donate it to people in need. I “I love this multi-faceted approach, tackling both food waste and food insecurity.
2. For-profit: Too Good To Go is a social impact company that connects consumers to restaurants and stores that have unsold, surplus food. Users can purchase this food at a lower price, reducing food waste. The app’s simple and effective solution makes it easy for businesses and individuals to tackle food waste.”
3. Policy Making: The French politician, Arash Derambarsh, led the campaign that resulted in France becoming the first country to ban supermarkets from throwing away unsold food. Instead, they must donate it to charities and food banks. This policy approach has been groundbreaking and instrumental in fighting food waste at a systemic level

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. 🙂

1. Education and Skill Development: Provide resources, workshops, and courses that help immigrant women build the necessary skills for entrepreneurship in the tech sector.
2. Mentorship and Networking: Connect aspiring immigrant women entrepreneurs with successful tech founders who can guide and inspire them.
3. Funding: Establish grants or funds specifically for immigrant women starting tech businesses. This could help overcome one of the biggest barriers to entry in the startup world.
4. Childcare Support: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women with children, offer support in the form of flexible working arrangements, on-site childcare, or subsidized childcare services.
5. Community Building: Create a supportive community where immigrant women in tech can share their experiences, challenges, and successes.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

If given the opportunity, I would absolutely love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Anne Wojcicki, the incredible co-founder and CEO of 23andMe.

Her innovative leadership in the field of personal genomics and biotechnology has been truly inspiring. I am particularly intrigued by her commitment to the Golden Rule, a principle that resonates with me and many others. I would be fascinated to hear firsthand how this guiding force influences her decision-making and shapes the culture at 23andMe.

Additionally, I admire her dedication to empowering individuals with access to their own genetic information and championing privacy, transparency, and customer empowerment. Sharing a meal with Anne Wojcicki would be a tremendous honor and an invaluable opportunity to gain insights from one of the most influential figures in the industry.

If Anne Wojcicki‘s mother, Esther Wojcicki, can tag along, it would be an incredible experience. She is the remarkable educator and author of “How to Raise Successful People”. As a parent myself, I am deeply intrigued by her insights and wisdom on nurturing and supporting children to reach their full potential.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can visit the Evermeal Labs website: www.evermeal.co or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. You can also find mine linkedin and Instagram.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much, and we wish you only continued success.

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Reducing Food Waste: Betty Ban Of Evermeal Labs On How They Are Helping To Eliminate Food Waste was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.