Episode 4 - Fighting food poverty through partnerships with businesses

In this raw and real episode, we spoke with Neil Bharadwa Business Owner, Cambridge Fruit Company and Sarah Crick CEO, The Red Hen Project about their collaboration to address food poverty in Cambridge. Despite being a city known for innovation, Cambridge faces significant inequality. Sarah highlights that many families struggle with basic needs, even while being close to some of the world’s wealthiest businesses. Neil, who had lived in Cambridge all his life, was unaware of the extent of local poverty and felt embarrassed by his lack of knowledge until he reached out to The Red Hen Project during the COVID crisis. Together, they’ve made a lasting impact, supporting families facing challenges like financial insecurity, housing issues, mental health struggles, and domestic abuse. Over four years later, their partnership continues to grow, raising awareness and bringing more support to those in need. This collaboration proves that long-term partnerships can create real social value and make a tangible difference in communities, especially for those facing the greatest challenges.