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Triscuit uses iconic "missing posters" to highlight the reality that millions of Americans face: They miss the nutritious food they need to maintain a balanced diet

biscuit, a brand known for its whole grain woven wheat crackers, announced the launch of The Missing Ingredients Project, the brand's first focused effort to improve access to a variety of affordable, fresh foods that are missing from food deserts.

Through this initiative, Triscuit is providing US $ 1 million / £ 750,000 in grants over the next three years to find and support individuals and nonprofits that are developing innovative ways to gain access to a variety of fresh, nutritious foods in food deserts to improve in the United States.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 19 million people – 6.2 percent of the US population – live in food deserts. These are geographic areas, either in the city or in the countryside, where access to affordable, healthy food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, is limited or nonexistent.

In food deserts, access is often limited by a variety of factors including distance to the grocery store, the number of stores in the area, family income, and the availability of transportation.

According to the USDA, food deserts are described as low-income areas where at least 500 people, or at least 33 percent of the population, are more than 1.0 mile from the nearest supermarket, supercenter, or major grocery store for an urban area, or more than 10 miles for a rural area.

"The Triscuit brand has always been committed to bringing more food to the world and right now, millions of people live in areas where they cannot find essential nutrients needed for a balanced diet. This was only made possible by the Pandemic worsened, "said Sally Barton, Senior Brand Manager at Mondelēz International. "It's a crisis that needs our attention and as a brand we knew we had to take action."

Beginning in early 2021, the brand will invite local nonprofits to apply for one of 20 grants totaling $ 50,000 to promote and empower their work. The Missing Ingredients Project will award six grants in 2021 and the remaining 14 grants will be awarded in 2022 and 2023.

Changemakers are encouraged to submit applications that outline how they are driving change and improving access to food in food deserts across the country – from fridges stocked with fresh foods to pop-up food banks to meet the increased demand for satisfying healthy, balanced meals. Changemakers are chosen based on the strength of their solutions, the impact of their work, and their ability and desire to scale their plans to reach even more people.

Triscuit is launching a digital on-the-go campaign that captures images in the form of iconic "missing posters" highlighting the reality that millions of Americans face: they are missing the nutritious food they need to maintain a balanced diet.

Off-home media placements are found in neighborhoods across New York City, including on LinkNYC digital platforms, in close proximity to supermarkets, with the aim of highlighting one of the factors influencing access to food in food deserts: distance to a grocery store . Consumers will be directed to triscuit.com/MissingIngredients to learn more about the problem.

Triscuit also works with James Beard's award-winning New Orleans chef Nina Compton and LA-based chef, restaurateur, writer, and television personality Ludo Lefebvre to help raise awareness and help Triscuit connect with change makers to step.

"Access to fresh and healthy food is a given for many of us, including me," said Compton. "In New Orleans, COVID has exacerbated the food shortage problem and we need brands like Triscuit to work towards a solution."

"The food desert issue is not getting the attention it deserves," said Lefebvre. “As a Los Angeles-based chef, I know people in my community – my neighbors, co-workers, friends, and classmates of my children – who don't have access to a basic need for affordable, healthy food, and I am excited to work with brands like Triscuit that help improve access. "