Indiana Nonprofit 'Hatch' Addresses Food Insecurity by Increasing Access to High-Quality Protein
An Indiana-based nonprofit, Hatch, is leading an initiative called the Coalition to Close the Protein Gap, aiming to combat food insecurity by enhancing access to high-quality protein in underserved communities. Daniel Leckie, CEO of Hatch, emphasizes that the focus is not merely on providing calories but on improving the nutritional content of food consumed. The organization seeks to change children's eating habits by age nine, encouraging protein consumption over processed foods. Hatch is actively working to integrate undervalued protein sources into the charitable food system. This includes sourcing small and medium eggs, dark meat chicken typically exported, and small pigs that can be processed into ground pork. The goal is to create a domestic market for these proteins to feed Americans in need. Hatch plans to close the protein gap nationwide within the next five years.
