Can Jeff Bezos End World Hunger?

The third richest man in the world wants to donate some of his fortune... we have some ideas.

Amazon / Via giphy.com

On June 19th, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos took Twitter by storm in a tweet asking followers where he should donate his growing net worth. Bezos, now worth over $80 billion, is back in the spotlight with Amazon’s most recent acquisition of Whole Foods. There’s been much speculation about the future outcomes of the deal, with analysts citing lower food prices and a shift to online grocery shopping.

Jeff Bezos @JeffBezos

Request for ideas…

06:22 PM - 15 Jun 2017

Jeff Bezos / Via Twitter: @jeffbezos

By acquiring Whole Foods, Bezos instantly became a leader in the discussion about how we feed ourselves. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, undernourishment in developing nations has decreased from nearly 40% in 1990 to less than 30% in 2016. But despite the progress that has been made, one in nine people go hungry every single day. A powerful way to tackle the issue is by investing in better agricultural methods and developing sustainable farming.

Among large food retail chains, Whole Foods and its non-profit, Whole Planet Foundation, are renowned for being at the forefront of this initiative. And they’re not the only ones. Below, we’ve created a list of some of the highest-ranking charities in the sector making major strides to increase sustainable food production. Jeff Bezos has the money and, now, the resources to end the battle against world hunger, and we urge him to help. If you agree, tweet and share this post with #IdeasForJeff, and let’s turn the goal to end world hunger into a reality.

1. Ashoka

Ashoka / Via ashoka.org

Ashoka is an international organization that promotes social entrepreneurship by sponsoring “Ashoka fellows”. Ashoka fellows are given a stipend for living expenses, thus allowing them to work on their initiative for social change. Ashoka has already appealed to Bezos, advising him to invest in “systems-changing and mindset-shifting ideas” where his “dollars will have way more impact—in philanthropy as in business.” Ashoka has a three star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator.

2. Center for Food Safety

Center for Food Safety / Via centerforfoodsafety.org

Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a national organization focused on public interest and environmental advocacy. CFS aims to limit the use of harmful food production technology and instead promotes more sustainable and organic practices. CFS has a four star rating from Charity Navigator.

3. Oxfam

Oxfam / Via oxfamamerica.org

Oxfam is an international organization which aims to alleviate poverty and hunger. Oxfam addresses the causes of poverty and uses a three point approach that includes development work, humanitarian work, and lobbying. Oxfam has a three star rating from Charity Navigator.

4. Heifer International

Heifer International / Via heifer.org

Heifer International is an organization focused on ending world hunger by empowering impoverished people and providing them with sustainable solutions to hunger. Rather than providing a single meal for a hungry family, Heifer provides its beneficiaries with sustainable agriculture that will benefit them by providing both food and a reliable income. Heifer International has a three star rating from Charity Navigator.

5. Sustainable Harvest International

Sustainable Harvest International / Via sustainableharvest.org

Sustainable Harvest International aspires to preserve the environment through partnerships with families by providing long-term technical assistance and training to rural farmers. Sustainable Harvest International has a three star rating from Charity Navigator.

6. Food and Water Watch

Food & Water Watch / Via foodandwaterwatch.org

Food and Water Watch is a national organization that works to increase corporate and governmental accountability on the issues of clean water and healthy food. Food & Water Watch has a three star rating from Charity Navigator.