Amanda 00:02 Welcome to Purpose Powered Brand, a podcast for leaders and brands transforming business into a force for good. I'm Amanda Stassen, business and brand strategist, social justice advocate and founder of BIZU Innovation Group. I’m speaking with leaders who are proving that not only does purpose drive profit, but the future of our world depends on it. If you want to grow your business, increase your brand loyalty and not get left behind in the ever-changing marketplace, this podcast is for you. Today we're talking with Stuart Lilley, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of ReFeed Farms, a regenerative ag tech startup on a mission to reinvent Canada's broken food system. Welcome, Stuart to the Purpose Powered Brand podcast. So thrilled to have you joining us today.

Stuart 00:45 Thank you, Amanda. It's great to be here.

Amanda 00:47 Awesome. So before we dive in, I like to ask this kind of preliminary question of our guests, because I actually do believe that whatever purpose powers you becomes the engine that drives everything you do. So with one word, Stuart, how would you answer the question? I am powered by blank, and then just share a little bit about how that impacts your life and the work you do?

Stuart 01:14 Wow. Okay. Well, that word is love. Love of nature, love of people, love of our planet. And it drives every decision we make at ReFeed.

Amanda 01:28 Oh, I love it. That's so good. Thank you for sharing that. So ReFeed farms, you describe yourselves as on a mission to reinvent Canada's broken food system. Talk a little bit about that. What's broken?

Stuart 01:44 Okay, I'm gonna take a deep breath for this one. Almost everything. The Canadian food system is broken in so many ways. And it's not something that people hear often. It's something that people, you know, we think about Canada, we've got this land of plenty, we've got all of these resources. But yet, if you dig deep down, you see that it's incredibly fragile, fragmented, and failing us. So if you just think about it this way, if we look at just the waste side of things, 58% of the food we produce, is either lost or wasted. And when we talk about waste, we're not talking about potato peels and broccoli stocks, we're talking about perfectly good edible food that never reaches people's plates. So that's just one example. If we look at our emissions, the food system is the second largest contributor to emissions just behind the oil and gas industry. You know, and it's things that people don't talk about. They don't know about it. So if we look at food waste, for example, it's contributing 56 million tons of co2 equivalent emissions every year. We look at nitrogen fertilizer, you know, 40% of our nitrogen emissions in the country come from the over application and production of nitrogen fertilizer. So those are things that are happening in the background that people don't hear about. And the reason is that we have a system that's incredibly linear, it's inefficient, and it lacks the infrastructure, the processing, and the connectivity to basically work together. And that's what ReFeed is focused on is circularity.

Amanda 03:31 Okay, so I want to get into ReFeed’s model in a minute. But before I do, I just want to probe a little bit more into this broken food system, because it's not just the food system in Canada, although I think Canada may have some unique problems relative to say, the US, it's really a global issue. Isn't it like this whole food system, maybe talk about that a bit?

Stuart 03:52 It is a global issue, it's happening everywhere. And it's really connected to that whole, let's say, that industrial revolution mindset of more faster, cheaper. And when you look at the food system, that's what it's predicated on is how do we produce more food? How do we produce it faster? And how do we produce it cheaper? And those three things are killing us, literally, they're killing our soils, they're killing our farmers. You know, it's killing people through poor nutrition. And so if you think about how that's all happening, the system is just not working the way it's meant to be working. You know, nature has a way of doing things in a circular way, but we've created this industrial complex, that is incredibly linear. And when you create linear systems, you end up with waste. That's just that's how it works. And so we have created this massive system that generates waste on so many levels.

Amanda 04:48 Yeah, it's huge. It's, you know, I remember seeing a film called The Biggest Little Farm. Have you seen that film?

Stuart 04:56 I love that film.

Amanda 04:57 Oh, my gosh, I absolutely loved it. It was It was just mind blowing to see what this couple did when they just allowed nature to run its course, when they actually created a farm where nature is actually part of the solution and not the enemy. And it was so countercultural to today's agribusiness, you know, where they want to optimize everything, they want to control everything. And what this couple did is they just said, You know what, let's just work with nature. And they created such a thriving ecosystem that was regenerative in and of itself. And it was, it's just so powerful. So yeah,

Stuart 05:35 Yeah, we love that film. And, you know, we have a whole series of shows that we're actually launching, called Farming With Nature that follows that same principle. It's, you know, farmers are so critical to our food system, but yet, we've disconnected from them, you know, we're, we're living in this world, where we walk into a grocery store, everything's there. But we've lost that connection to our food, and we've lost that connection to our farmers. And it's critical that we bring those two back together again.

Amanda 06:03 Yeah. And it's interesting, because, you know, even when you look at the grocery store shelf, you know, how much packaging is just wrapped around something that already has its own skin? Right. You know, it's just, it's absurd, almost, if you take a step back and think about it.

Stuart 06:19 Well, it is absurd. And, you know, and that's the thing is that this system is designed that way, it's designed for long shelf life, it's designed for consistency in shape and size and color. And nature doesn't work that way. It comes in all shapes and sizes. It's not always perfectly colored, but it's always delicious, and it's nutritious. And that's what we should be focused on is that nutritional density, that deliciousness that brings us back to nature and the soil?

Amanda 06:48 Yeah, it's so funny, you know, that if you grow tomatoes in your backyard, they don't all ripen at the same time. Right? There's some that are ready today, there's some that'll be ready tomorrow, they're not all the same size, they're not all the same shape, they're not all the same redness. And nature does that, because it wants to allow for things to happen. It's like, it's just so amazing. When you take a minute and just think about how nature works, and how we've, as a society tried to just put it in a box, literally put it in a box, put it on a shelf, and, and try to optimize it. You know, it's, it's really mind blowing. So Stuart, it's clear, you're an entrepreneur on a mission. Tell us a little bit about ReFeed’s business model. How does ReFeed farms actually go about creating a healthier, more resilient food system for Canadians?

Stuart 07:38 Yeah, so what we call ourselves is really a connector and integrator. You know, we're looking at the food system, and we see all of this fragmentation, we see all of this disconnection. And our role at ReFeed is to reconnect those pieces, to basically weave back together the fabric of our food system. And so we do that in a number of different ways. First and foremost, we're farmer centric. So we support our farmers by giving them access to markets, by basically building this food recovery network that can capture all of this edible food, create new value from it, and bring that value back into the communities we serve. And so the way that it kind of works is we are basically creating these community hubs, these community food hubs that allow us to connect with our farmers, aggregate all of that surplus off-grade produce that's not making it to the grocery store shelf. We bring it into our community hubs, we process it, we turn it into new value, whether it's food products, whether it's value-added food ingredients, whether it's fertilizer, animal feed ingredients, whatever it is, we look at food as a resource, not as waste. And so when we treat it as a resource, we can create all of these new value opportunities from that food. And then we connect that back into our communities through food banks, through community partners, through schools, through foodservice, through retail, all of those areas where people can access food.

Amanda 09:10 And when you say value, what do you mean by that?

Stuart 09:13 So when we look at food, you know, we often think of food as waste, and we think, oh, it's going to end up in the landfill. And that has a negative value. We look at it from a resource perspective and say, Okay, what is the intrinsic value of that food? Well, it's got nutritional value, it's got ingredients that we can capture. And so when we look at that intrinsic value, and turn it into something new, we create new value, we create a new opportunity, we create a new product, we create new ingredients. And that's the new value that we bring back to the market, whether it's financial value, whether it's social value, whether it's environmental value, we're always focused on how do we turn that resource into new value?

Amanda 09:57 Hmm. That's awesome. So just so I understand the model. You're working with farmers, you're taking their surplus, you're aggregating it in community hubs? Are you creating products yourself? Or are you working with partners who then create products? Is that how that works?

Stuart 10:14 Yeah, so it's a bit of both, you know, we are creating our own line of ReFeed food products that we're launching, you know, we do things like fresh cut fruit and vegetables for schools, we are creating value-added ingredients, like turning bananas into banana flour, or taking berries and turning them into powders. But we're also working with partners, you know, we know that we can't do everything ourselves. And so we are partnering with other food companies, other processors, people that have the expertise to take that surplus food and turn it into something new and amazing.

Amanda 10:49 Okay, so I just want to pick up on the schools for a minute, because I read somewhere, I think on your website, that one of the core mandates of ReFeed is to provide children in Canada access to nutritious meals every day. And, you know, for some of our listeners who aren't in Canada, it may come as a surprise that Canada is actually the only G7 country without a national school food program. And one in six children, I think the number is actually higher now. So it might be one in five, lives in a food insecure household, which just means they lack reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Stuart, I'm sure you'd agree that is just not acceptable. Not for Canada, not for anywhere, frankly. But talk a little bit about how ReFeed is tackling this massive challenge?

Stuart 11:40 Yeah, it's shocking, isn't it? You know, when you think about Canada, you think about this land of plenty, but yet, we have millions of kids going to school hungry every day. And it's just not acceptable. And so for ReFeed, you know, we looked at this and said, How can we help? How can we be part of the solution? And so we started working with schools, we started working with school districts, to provide fresh, nutritious, locally sourced food to kids. And we do that through our food recovery network, we capture all of that surplus produce from our farmers, we bring it into our hubs, we chop it up, we turn it into fresh cut fruit and vegetable mixes, and we deliver it to the schools. And so kids are getting access to things like pineapple and mango and cantaloupe and honeydew and berries and grapes and all of these amazing nutritious foods that they might not otherwise get access to. And we're doing it in a way that's affordable, that's accessible, and that's sustainable.

Amanda 12:41 That is incredible. So Stuart, you know, I know you, you know, we know each other. And I know that you've said, you know, your personal purpose is to heal people and planet. ReFeed’s purpose, maybe just for clarity, is to nourish families, communities and the planet. And I love how aligned those two things are. Talk a little bit about how ReFeed’s purpose actually drives the business? How does it guide your business decisions, your business model, the way you go to market? All of those things?

Stuart 13:14 Yeah, purpose is everything to us. You know, it's the foundation of why we started ReFeed. It's the reason we get up every morning. And it really does guide every decision we make. So when we think about nourishing families, communities, and the planet, we look at every opportunity through that lens. So if we're working with a farmer, how does this nourish that farmer? How does it support their livelihood? How does it help them transition to more regenerative practices? If we're working with a community partner, how does this nourish that community? How does it provide access to healthy food? How does it create jobs? How does it build resilience? If we're looking at a product opportunity, how does this nourish the planet? How does it reduce waste? How does it regenerate soil? How does it sequester carbon? And so every single decision we make is filtered through that purpose lens. And it allows us to stay true to our mission, it allows us to make sure that we're always focused on creating positive impact.

Amanda 14:14 That's so good. It's, you know, it's what we call the pivot point. Purpose is the pivot point upon which all decisions are made. And it's just so beautifully articulated. Thank you for sharing that. You know, the work that ReFeed is doing is really rooted in this understanding that everything is connected, right? Like everything is connected, that the health of our planet, the health of our communities, the health of our bodies, they're all intrinsically linked. And yet, you know, our current food system, as you mentioned, is really linear. It's siloed. And it's really disconnected from that reality. Stuart, how does ReFeed work to actually bridge those gaps and foster that connectivity?

Stuart 14:58 Yeah, it's so true. You know, we live in this hyper-specialized world where everything is broken down into these tiny little pieces, and we lose sight of the bigger picture. And so at ReFeed, our whole approach is about systems thinking, it's about understanding how all of these different parts are interconnected, and how they influence each other. And so we look at the food system, not just as a series of individual transactions, but as this complex, adaptive system. And when you look at it through that lens, you start to see opportunities for connection, for collaboration, for synergy. And so we're constantly looking for ways to bridge those gaps. How do we connect farmers with food banks? How do we connect schools with local producers? How do we connect food waste with soil health? How do we connect nutrition with community resilience? And it's really about building those relationships, building that trust, and creating those feedback loops that allow the system to learn and adapt and evolve.

Amanda 16:03 Hmm, it makes me think about something that you had shared with me previously, Stuart, which is this whole notion of how you measure success at ReFeed, which is different from maybe traditional metrics. Talk about that a little bit.

Stuart 16:19 Yeah, you know, traditional business metrics are often focused solely on financial return, you know, profit maximization, shareholder value. And while those things are important, they don't tell the whole story. They don't capture the true impact that a business is having on the world. And so at ReFeed, we take a much broader view of success. We look at what we call our triple bottom line, which is people, planet, and prosperity. And so we measure our success not just by how much money we make, but by how many people we nourish, how much waste we divert, how much carbon we sequester, how much soil we regenerate, how many jobs we create, how much resilience we build in our communities. And so we're constantly tracking these impact metrics alongside our financial metrics, because we believe that true prosperity is about creating value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

Amanda 17:17 So good. And it's interesting, because, you know, what you're highlighting is that this is actually where the future of business is going. It is that triple bottom line, or as we like to call it the quadruple bottom line, which is, you know, people, planet, prosperity, and purpose. But it's just so key that businesses start to shift their thinking away from just the financial metrics, and really embrace this idea of being a contributor to society, and being measured by the contribution that they're making.

Stuart 17:48 Absolutely. And, you know, it's not just about doing good, it's actually good for business. You know, when you focus on purpose, when you focus on creating positive impact, you attract better talent, you build stronger customer loyalty, you create more resilient supply chains, you innovate faster, you build a stronger brand reputation. And ultimately, you drive long term financial performance. So it's really a win-win-win.

Amanda 18:15 Totally, totally agree. You know, you've talked a lot about farmers. And I know that farmers are really at the heart of ReFeed’s model. But you know, farming is tough. It's a tough business. Farmers are facing immense pressure from climate change, from market volatility, from rising input costs. How does ReFeed actually support farmers and help them thrive in this challenging environment?

Stuart 18:40 Yeah, farmers are the unsung heroes of our food system. You know, they work incredibly hard, often for very little reward. And they're facing unprecedented challenges. And so at ReFeed, we see ourselves as partners with farmers, not just purchasers of their products. And so we work really closely with them to understand their needs, their challenges, their aspirations. And we try to support them in a number of different ways. First, we provide a guaranteed market for their surplus and off-grade produce, giving them a reliable income stream for food that might otherwise go to waste. Second, we help them reduce their input costs by providing them with high-quality, locally produced organic fertilizer made from recovered food nutrients. Third, we connect them with resources and expertise to help them transition to more regenerative farming practices that build soil health, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity. And fourth, we celebrate their stories, we share their successes, we help reconnect consumers with the people who grow their food.

Amanda 19:45 That is amazing. It's like a whole ecosystem approach, isn't it? It's like, how do we create this virtuous cycle where everyone benefits?

Stuart 19:54 Exactly. You know, nature doesn't operate in silos, it operates in these interconnected webs of relationships. And that's the model that we're trying to emulate at ReFeed. We're trying to create this ecosystem of collaboration, where farmers, food banks, schools, businesses, community groups, governments, where we're all working together towards this common goal of a healthier, more resilient, more equitable food system.

Amanda 20:21 You know, Stuart, when I think about the name ReFeed, you know, it evokes this idea of replenishing, of restoring, of renewing. How does that concept of regeneration actually play out in ReFeed’s work?

Stuart 20:36 Yeah, regeneration is really at the core of everything we do. You know, we're not just trying to sustain the current system, which as we've discussed, is broken. We're actively trying to regenerate it, to make it healthier, more vibrant, more resilient than it was before. And so that applies to everything from our soil health initiatives, where we're working with farmers to rebuild organic matter, enhance microbial life, and sequester carbon in the soil, to our food recovery efforts, where we're capturing the nutrient value in surplus food and returning it to the land as fertilizer, to our community partnerships, where we're working to rebuild local food economies, create jobs, and enhance food security. It's really about moving beyond this extractive, degenerative model of agriculture and embracing a regenerative approach that works in harmony with nature's cycles.

Amanda 21:31 Hmm. You know, it makes me think about this whole concept of circularity, which I know is a big part of ReFeed’s philosophy. Can you unpack that concept for us? What does a circular food system actually look like?

Stuart 21:46 Yeah, so a circular food system is really the opposite of the linear system we have today, where we take resources, we make products, and then we dispose of them as waste. In a circular system, there is no waste. Everything is seen as a resource that can be reused, repurposed, or regenerated. And so it's really about designing out waste from the very beginning. And it's about creating these closed loops where nutrients, energy, and materials are constantly cycled back into the system. So in the context of food, a circular system might look like capturing surplus food and redistributing it to people in need, converting food scraps into animal feed or fertilizer, using agricultural byproducts to create new food ingredients or materials, designing packaging that can be easily reused or composted. It's really about mimicking nature's cycles, where nothing is wasted, and everything has a purpose.

Amanda 22:46 That is so powerful. You know, Stuart, you often talk about the power of love, as you mentioned at the beginning, and connection in driving change. And that might sound a little bit unconventional in the business world. But how does that actually manifest in ReFeed’s culture and operations?

Stuart 23:05 Yeah, you know, love is not a word you hear often in boardrooms. But for us, it's fundamental. It's the energy that fuels our work. It's the intention behind our actions. And it really manifests in how we treat each other, how we treat our partners, how we treat the planet. You know, we strive to create a culture of compassion, of empathy, of collaboration, where people feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. We approach our partnerships with a spirit of trust, of reciprocity, of mutual respect. We recognize that we're all interconnected, and that our success is tied to the success of others. And we approach our relationship with the planet with a sense of reverence, of stewardship, of responsibility. We understand that we are part of nature, not separate from it. And that healing the planet is ultimately about healing ourselves. And so love, for us, is not just a feeling, it's an action. It's a commitment. It's a way of being in the world.

Amanda 24:11 Hmm. That is so beautiful. And it's so true. You know, love is an action word. It's not just a sentiment. It's actually putting feet to our faith, putting feet to our beliefs, putting feet to what we value. And that's really what purpose is all about, isn't it? It's aligning our actions with our values.

Stuart 24:31 Absolutely. You know, purpose without action is just a nice idea. It's when we translate that purpose into tangible actions, into concrete decisions, into everyday practices, that's when it becomes truly powerful. That's when we start to see real change happen in the world.

Amanda 24:50 So Stuart, you know, ReFeed is still relatively young as a company, but you've already achieved so much. What are you most proud of so far?

Stuart 25:00 Wow, that's a tough question. There's so much to be proud of. You know, I'm incredibly proud of our team, the passion, the dedication, the resilience they bring to this work every single day. I'm proud of the partnerships we've built, the trust we've earned, the collaborative spirit that defines our ecosystem. I'm proud of the impact we're having, the millions of pounds of food we've rescued, the thousands of kids we're nourishing, the tons of emissions we're avoiding, the acres of soil we're helping to regenerate. But honestly, what I'm most proud of is the shift in mindset that we're starting to see. You know, when we started ReFeed, people thought we were crazy. They said, you know, food waste is inevitable, the system can't be changed. But now, we're seeing more and more people recognizing the urgency of the problem, and the potential of the solutions. We're seeing farmers embracing regenerative practices, businesses adopting circular models, consumers demanding more transparency and sustainability. And that gives me immense hope. It tells me that we're on the right track, that this movement is growing, and that together, we really can reinvent our food system.

Amanda 26:17 That is so inspiring. And you know, it speaks to the power of perseverance, doesn't it? It's like, when you have a vision, when you have a purpose, you just keep going, even when people say it's impossible, even when the odds seem stacked against you. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other, fueled by that love, fueled by that purpose.

Stuart 26:39 Exactly. You know, change is never easy. It requires courage, it requires resilience, it requires a willingness to challenge the status quo. But when you're driven by something bigger than yourself, when you're connected to that deeper sense of purpose, you find the strength to keep going, even when things get tough. And that's what keeps us motivated at ReFeed. We know that the work we're doing matters. We know that it's making a difference. And we're committed to seeing it through.

Amanda 27:08 So Stuart, what's next for ReFeed Farms? What's your vision for the future?

Stuart 27:13 Our vision is big. You know, we want to see a Canada where no one goes hungry, where farmers thrive, where communities are resilient, and where our food system works in harmony with nature. And so we're focused on scaling our impact, expanding our network of community food hubs across the country, deepening our partnerships with farmers and community organizations, developing new technologies and solutions to tackle food waste and regenerate soil, and continuing to advocate for systemic change at the policy level. You know, we believe that a better food future is possible. And we're committed to helping build it, one community, one farm, one meal at a time.

Amanda 27:56 Wow, that is a powerful vision. And it's one that I truly believe is achievable. You know, it takes leaders like you, Stuart, leaders with courage, with vision, with love, to actually make it happen.

Stuart 28:10 Well, thank you, Amanda. But you know, it's not just about leaders, it's about all of us. You know, we all have a role to play in transforming our food system, whether it's as consumers, making more conscious choices about the food we buy, whether it's as citizens, advocating for better policies, whether it's as community members, supporting local farmers and food initiatives. Change happens when we all come together, when we all recognize our interconnectedness, and when we all take action, however small, towards that shared vision.

Amanda 28:42 So true. It's that collective power, isn't it? When we unite around a common purpose, there's nothing we can't achieve.

Stuart 28:50 Exactly. And that's the energy that we're tapping into at ReFeed. It's the energy of collaboration, of community, of shared purpose. And it's incredibly powerful.

Amanda 29:01 Stuart, you know, one of the things I admire most about you and ReFeed is your commitment to transparency and collaboration. You're not trying to hoard your knowledge or protect your turf. You're actively sharing your learnings, partnering with others, building this open-source ecosystem. Why is that approach so important to you?

Stuart 29:22 Yeah, you know, we believe that the challenges we're facing are too big for any one organization to solve alone. We need collaboration, we need knowledge sharing, we need collective action. And so from the very beginning, we've made a conscious decision to operate with transparency, to share our successes and our failures, to open-source our model, and to actively seek out partnerships with others who share our vision. You know, we see ourselves as part of this larger movement, this growing ecosystem of individuals and organizations working to transform our food system. And we believe that by working together, by learning from each other, by amplifying each other's efforts, we can accelerate the pace of change and achieve far greater impact than any of us could on our own.

Amanda 30:12 That's such a powerful mindset. It's really about abundance, isn't it? Rather than scarcity? It's believing that there's enough for everyone, that collaboration creates more value than competition.

Stuart 30:24 Exactly. You know, the old paradigm of business was often based on scarcity, on competition, on zero-sum thinking. But the new paradigm, the regenerative paradigm, is based on abundance, on collaboration, on creating shared value. And that's the mindset that we're trying to cultivate at ReFeed, both internally within our team, and externally within our ecosystem.

Amanda 30:49 Stuart, you know, you're dealing with complex systemic issues, food waste, soil degradation, food insecurity, climate change. It can feel overwhelming at times, I'm sure. How do you stay motivated and hopeful in the face of such daunting challenges?

Stuart 31:07 Yeah, it's true. The challenges are immense. And it's easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. But what keeps me motivated, what gives me hope, is seeing the incredible potential for change that exists all around us. You know, I see it in the resilience of farmers who are adopting regenerative practices, despite the economic pressures. I see it in the ingenuity of entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions to food waste. I see it in the passion of community organizers who are working tirelessly to ensure everyone has access to healthy food. I see it in the growing awareness among consumers who are demanding more sustainable and ethical choices. And most of all, I see it in the power of connection, the power of collaboration, the power of love. When we come together, when we support each other, when we work towards a common purpose, incredible things can happen. And that's what fuels my hope every single day.

Amanda 32:10 Hmm, that is beautiful. It's really about focusing on the solutions, isn't it? Focusing on the potential, focusing on the positive energy that's already building.

Stuart 32:20 Absolutely. You know, dwelling on the problems can be paralyzing. But focusing on the solutions, celebrating the successes, amplifying the positive stories, that's what creates momentum, that's what inspires action, that's what builds hope.

Amanda 32:36 Stuart, you know, ReFeed is not just a business, it feels like it's a movement. It's a call to action. If someone listening today feels inspired by your vision, what's one thing they could do to get involved and contribute to building a better food future?

Stuart 32:53 That's a great question. You know, there are so many ways to get involved. But I think one of the most powerful things anyone can do is simply to become more conscious and connected to their food. You know, ask questions about where your food comes from, how it was grown, who grew it. Support local farmers, visit a farmers market, join a CSA program. Reduce your own food waste at home, get creative with leftovers, compost your scraps. Learn about regenerative agriculture, watch documentaries like The Biggest Little Farm, read books, follow organizations like ReFeed online. Talk to your friends, your family, your community about these issues. Share what you're learning, start conversations, raise awareness. And most importantly, vote with your fork, vote with your dollar, vote with your voice. Every choice we make, every action we take, has the potential to contribute to building a healthier, more just, more regenerative food system.

Amanda 33:59 That is such practical and empowering advice. It really underscores that we all have agency, we all have the power to make a difference, starting right where we are.

Stuart 34:10 Exactly. You know, change doesn't have to be monumental. It starts with small steps, with individual choices, with conscious actions. And when millions of us take those small steps together, that's when we create transformative change.

Amanda 34:28 Stuart, this has been such an inspiring conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your passion, your vision, your wisdom with us today. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?

Stuart 34:41 Just a message of hope, really. You know, the challenges we face are real, but so is our capacity to overcome them. We have the knowledge, we have the technology, we have the ingenuity to create a food system that nourishes both people and the planet. What we need now is the collective will, the shared purpose, the courageous action to make it happen. And I truly believe that we can do it. I believe that a better food future is within our reach. And I invite everyone listening to join us on this journey, to be part of the solution, to help us refeed Canada, and refeed the world.

Amanda 35:23 Wow, what a powerful closing message. Thank you, Stuart. It's been an absolute pleasure.

Stuart 35:28 Thank you, Amanda. The pleasure was all mine.

Amanda 35:32 Listen, Stuart, it's been an honor diving into your story today. But before we sign off, in every episode, we want to leave our listeners with two practical purpose tips that they can apply today to power up their business and brand. What two tips would you share?

Stuart 35:49 Great question. Okay, so my first tip would be to deeply connect with your why. You know, understand what truly drives you, what gets you out of bed in the morning, what impact you want to have on the world. Because when you're clear on your purpose, it becomes your north star, it guides your decisions, it fuels your resilience, it attracts the right people and opportunities. So spend time reflecting on your purpose, articulate it clearly, and then infuse it into everything you do.

Amanda 36:22 Love it. What's your second tip?

Stuart 36:24 My second tip is to surround yourself with people who challenge you, who inspire you, and who hold you accountable to your purpose. You know, building a purpose-driven business is not easy. There will be obstacles, there will be setbacks, there will be moments of doubt. And having a strong support network, whether it's mentors, advisors, peers, team members, having those people who believe in your vision, who share your values, and who aren't afraid to give you honest feedback, that's absolutely critical. So seek out those relationships, nurture them, and lean on them when you need support.

Amanda 37:08 Hmm, that is so key. It's about building that ecosystem of support around you, isn't it? People who will not just cheer you on, but also challenge you to be your best self, to stay true to your story and, and help guide you on your journey.

Amanda 37:22 So good. I love it. It's iron sharpens iron. It's this idea of not surrounding yourself with yes, people. That's so powerful, so powerful and so important. So, super awesome. Where can people connect with you? Where can they learn more about ReFeed farms? What's your website call out?

Stuart 37:40 Yeah, you can go to ReFeed Farms.com. You can also check me out on LinkedIn. You can go to our different tag, or different handles on Instagram and Twitter at ReFeed farms. So we're active on social media. We're looking to do more and tell your story further.

Amanda 38:04 That's awesome. Stuart, thank you again for joining us today. It's been, it's been an honor, it's been a privilege. Thank you for sharing your story, your insights. And thank you most of all for all you're doing in and through ReFeed Farms to make the world better for all.

Stuart 38:18 Thank you, Amanda. It's great. Great joining you today.

Amanda 38:23 Thanks for listening to the purpose power brand Podcast. I'm Amanda Stassen. If you liked what you heard, be sure to share and subscribe on your favorite podcast player. We'd also love to hear what resonated with you or if you have a guest suggestion, drop us a line at info@bizu.co Special thanks to Mark Salam for original music and lead podcasting for production. Lastly, if you're ready to purpose power your brand to grow...