Our Story
FoodStream Connect brings together members with resources to share or support to give, fostering collaboration in the fight against hunger, reducing food waste, and empowering underserved communities through nutrition, education, and sustainability programs.
Founded by Richard and Johanna Salazar-Cumming, FoodStream was born out of their extensive backgrounds in creative technology and social entrepreneurship. After selling their award-winning experiential marketing studio, Two Goats, the pandemic shifted their focus to food security.
At the height of Covid-19, Richard and Johanna worked tirelessly with José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, leading multimillion-dollar initiatives that funded local farms and restaurants, providing millions of meals and fresh produce to underserved communities across New York City.
This experience exposed the cracks in the food distribution system, inspiring them to create FoodStream, a platform built to ensure equitable access to food for all.
“The power of social networks, combined with collective action, can create scalable, long-term solutions to food insecurity. Studies show that organizations collaborating on shared missions can achieve up to a 30% increase in resource utilization and community impact.”
Launched in 2021, FoodStream began as a streamlined directory for emergency food access, quickly attracting over 850 organizations across the food sector. As members expressed the need for easier connections and resource sharing, FoodStream Connect was launched in the summer of 2024—a social network specifically designed to help food security organizations collaborate more effectively.
“Any organization that handles food has a responsibility to ensure no one goes hungry and everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food.”
Early adopters are already experiencing the power of this social network, benefiting from the collaborative impact of shared knowledge and resources. While the platform is currently focused on NYC, there are plans to expand nationally and internationally.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the platform and help you find the resources you need from the people you trust.
The Happy Food Networking Team!
