Do Better for Our Planet

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Justin Kamine, Co-Founder of Do Good Foods, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Our company is called Do Good Foods, and our first product is Do Good Chicken, which is for people who give a cluck about fighting food waste and combating climate change. Did you know that 40% of healthy grocery food gets tossed and that if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, behind the U.S. and China? We knew we had to do something to address it once we learned about this issue.

Our solution was to partner with some of the country's biggest retailers and food service providers, including Kroger, Albertsons, Ahold, Target, and many others, to address food waste and its environmental impact. Do Good Foods collects healthy, surplus grocery food from retailers (after community donations occur) and upcycles it into nutrient-dense dried chicken feed. Our chicken feed is added into our Do Good Chickens' diets before they are then sold back to retailers and food service —thus closing the loop, ensuring good food is eaten, not wasted.

Each Do Good Chicken saves approximately 4 lbs of good food from being thrown away, reducing nearly 3 lbs of greenhouse gases for each bird. So if just one out of every five chickens sold was a Do Good Chicken, we could solve food waste in only 5 years. That's a real impact. So, when you buy our carbon-reduced, delicious, 100% natural, cage-free, antibiotic-free chicken, you're doing good for your plate and our planet.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up, my brother Matt and I saw my dad build several successful businesses that addressed big problems, so we've never been afraid to take on challenging issues. We believe if it matters to us and we can make a difference, go for it! So, my dad, brother, and I started Do Good Foods to address the enormous issue in our food system related to food waste and our climate. We decided the world couldn't wait for someone else to ponder what could be done in 20-30 years. We needed to act now. Seeing this summer with the heat waves, droughts, and flooding, we can all see that there's no time to waste when it comes to impacting climate change. We were motivated to make a difference and built Do Good Foods so we could make an impact today with real, measurable, tangible results.

We now have 100+ full-time Do Good Food Waste Warriors on our team, as well as a network of retailers and other partners who share our passion for this mission. We're thrilled and grateful to all the people that are working together to do good.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We're proud that we're working together with a scalable solution that can make a real impact on food waste and climate change. I think the real accomplishment is that this environmental solution allows everyone to be a part of it—and together, we can make a healthier and better planet for all of us.

When we named our company Do Good, we believed it was not just a brand name; it's a call-to-action that sets a tone for the way we want to do business. There's no silver bullet for climate change, so sometimes, it's hard to know how you can make a difference. So set your sights to do good, and you won't regret it.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing about being a business owner is also one of the most exciting things—every day, there's something new to learn and/or do. With over 100+ people in our company, we rely on them to handle the day-to-day operations. Whether it's logistics, manufacturing, sustainability, retail, marketing, fundraising, or HR, there's a lot going on. There's no way one person can give each area their full attention. That's why we're so thankful for the talented people on our team.

Together we're building this company from the ground up, paving the way and creating new processes, learning, and adapting as we go. I'm simply amazed that after only 11 weeks, Do Good Chicken is available from Maine down to D.C., as well as in Texas and Colorado in over 600 retail locations! We are growing so incredibly fast—and while that's hard some days, it's also exciting!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Our motto is "we reserve the right to get smarter every day." So, I'd say the first thing is to be open to learning, accept new ideas, and have humility in what you know. Second—be kind, even when it's hard, and always honest with those you do business with. It will always serve you and your business best. And lastly, remember that starting a company will take every ounce of your mind, heart, and energy, so embark on a mission and a legacy that matters to the world. If you can do anything... do good.

There's so much more to learn about our company, our product, and our team on our website, dogoodchicken.com. Also, follow us on Instagram at @dogoodchicken to see what we're up to!

Looking for Do Good Chicken? You can find them at select retailers on the East Coast (Acme, Giant & Albertson Companies), Dallas, Texas (Kroger & Super Target), and Denver, Colorado (Super Target) – and check back in, as we are always expanding!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://dogoodfoods.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogoodchicken/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogoodfoods/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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