Feeding the Future: Foodservice Training to Address Homelessness

Social Innovation, Circular Economy, & Workforce Development

This work examines how a nonprofit organization can redesign foodservice training programs to address rising homelessness while meeting growing demand for sustainability-related skills in the U.S. labor market. Using materiality analysis, value chain mapping, and the Sustainable Development Goals framework, it proposes a zero-waste, circular training model embedded within an existing workforce development program. Findings indicate that integrating circular economy principles into job training can enhance employment outcomes, attract mission-aligned partnerships, and generate long-term social and environmental value.