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HHF & Back to the Roots #UndoFood on Earth Day!

Hispanic Heritage Foundation

OAKLAND, CA (April 18, 2017) –  In celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22nd, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) is supporting the efforts of California start-up Back to the Roots, who are inviting 2.2 million kids to #UndoFood this Earth Day by asking the question, “where does my food come?” and raising awareness about the environmental impact of agriculture.

To get involved with your families or students this weekend with Back to the Roots and the HHF, go to #UndoFood or Backtotheroots.com/earth. The Back to the Roots Earth Day campaign strives to raise awareness around the environmental impact of agriculture, challenging the public to #UndoFood and either be where it comes from or see where it comes from. With a website full of interactive activities for children, parents and teachers, users are challenged to:

  1. LEARN – about the impact of our food system on the environment
  2. ACT – pick an #UndoFood Project from the website
  3. SHARE – record and share each #UndoFood project during Earth Hour on Friday, 4/21 at 11am with the message “This Earth Day I chose to #UndoFood with @Backtotheroots.”
  4. PLEDGE – to continue asking questions about our food sources and processing year-round

Back to the Roots has created curriculum-advocacy-and-education-based products including their Mushroom Farm, Water Garden aquaponic fish tank, and windowsill herb gardens which will offered as contest prizes for the most creative #UndoFood project submissions.

“We want to spark curiosity in the next generation about where their food comes from and hopefully get kids excited about taking an active role in what the eat,” said Back to the Roots co-Founder Alejandro Velez, who received the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Leadership Award in partnership with the NFL for his vision in sustainability and nutrition.

Sustainability in food production and processing has been a central theme for the company — from launching a Mushroom Farm grown on upcycled coffee grounds in 2009, to launching the first 100% stoneground breakfast cereal in an eco-carton with 25% less plastic in 2015. Back to the Roots is continuing to expand its food sustainability and education efforts through the thousands of schools and retailers they serve (via partnerships with the NYC public school system, Sodexo, The Home Depot, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Sprouts, Thrive Market, Good Eggs, and Amazon).

“With 24% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide coming from agriculture, we can’t afford to not talk about food issues this Earth Day. We get 3 votes a day to show the the kind of food system we want to support — the change is in our hands.” said co-Founder Nikhil Arora who was went to UC Berkeley with Velez and started undoing food in their dorm rooms.

About Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots is an organic food company on a mission to Undo Food™ and reconnect families back to where it comes — through fun, innovative, and delicious Ready to Grow and Ready to Eat products. Since 2009, Back to the Roots has evolved from urban mushroom farming into a thriving business that has received national acclaim and accolades. Back to the Roots currently sells its products in over 14,000 stores worldwide, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Petco, Cost Plus World Market, Loblaw, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Crate & Barrel, Urban Outfitters, Safeway, Kroger, and Amazon. Nikhil and Alejandro have been honored with several awards recognizing their efforts, including BusinessWeek’s “Top 25 Entrepreneurs under 25,” Inc.’s “30 Under 30,” Inc. 500, Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” and CNN’s “10 Next Entrepreneurs to Watch.” In addition, Back to the Roots was named a 2013 Martha Stewart Top Ten American Made honoree and recognized by President Obama as Champions of Change.

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