eGrowcery, Forage Team to Enable EBT SNAP Payments for Grocery Retailers
eGrowcery, developer of the leading retail food industry white-label eCommerce platform, and Forage, the mission-driven SNAP EBT payments company for grocers of all sizes, are partnering to provide supermarket operators with a comprehensive payment solution for digital orders. The companies will collaborate on systems integration and business development.
“Forage is known as a company that helps democratize the payment ecosystem in retail while offering merchants greater EBT SNAP flexibility. The combination of our solutions will help address a growing need for digital commerce flexibility,” said Patrick Hughes, CEO of eGrowcery.
eGrowcery, which operates in the United States and abroad, provides independent operators and retail groups a white-label eCommerce platform that will seamlessly integrate Forage’s solution into the overall technology offering. Further, Forage’s automated onboarding solution will further allow grocery retailers to rapidly secure USDA certification and begin accepting EBT payments, both in-store and online.
“We are thrilled to work with the eGrowcery team to make it easier for low-income families to access the food they need, when and where they need it,” said Ofek Lavian, co-founder and CEO of Forage. “Together, this partnership will empower more retailers with the technology to make healthy foods more accessible and convenient for millions of Americans relying on SNAP benefits.”
Retailers interested in learning more about the eGrowcery and Forage solutions can contact eGrowcery here.
Forage builds payments infrastructure that processes government benefits, starting with enabling merchants to accept EBT SNAP payments. 42 million Americans receive government assistance to afford groceries, and Forage powers payments to serve communities in need. Forage is the only USDA-approved third-party payment processor (TPP) that offers retailers best-in-class software combined with dedicated service, enabling complex government payments online and guiding retailers through USDA authorization. For more information visit www.joinforage.com.
eGrowcery is the market-leading, white-label, SaaS based eCommerce solution designed to service grocery retailers. The eGrowcery platform is a true end-to-end, omnichannel solution that integrates with back-office/point of sale systems while enabling retailers to personalize their own shopper experience. Serving companies in the US and abroad, eGrowcery empowers retailers with the ability to personalize their shopping experience while providing the most efficient in-store fulfillment solution in the industry.
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ChowNow Names Soni as Chief Executive Officer
ChowNow, a leader in online ordering and delivery for local restaurants, has appointed Kanika Soni as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Soni brings over 20 years of experience in the consumer tech sector with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation.
As the new CEO of ChowNow, Soni will be responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to accelerate growth for ChowNow in this rapidly-changing market for online restaurant delivery platforms while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction for restaurants and diners alike.
Soni brings a wealth of experience to the role. She started her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and has held leadership roles at several strong consumer facing brands including Tripadvisor, Disney, Tesla and Gilt Groupe.
Most recently, Soni served as chief commercial officer at Tripadvisor, where she successfully helped rebuild the core business after it sustained significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also instrumental in setting the company on a transformation path grounded in a new product, content, and data-led strategy.
Earlier in her career, Soni held the position of GM/SVP, Global E-commerce at The Walt Disney Company, where she helped modernize Disney’s direct-to-consumer business driving double-digit growth through operational improvements, expansion into new 3rd party channels, and launching a highly curated shopping experience that combined vertical, parks, and licensed merchandise all on one platform – a first ever for Disney fans.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kanika to lead the ChowNow family,” says Chris Webb, ChowNow’s founder and chairman of the board. “Her vision and expertise will be invaluable as we continue our growth. She is passionate about supporting local restaurants and is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and partnership at ChowNow.”
“I am honored to take on this role and lead such a talented team,” said Soni. “It’s an exciting time to join ChowNow as we work to launch a multi-product solution to help our restaurant partners build direct relationships with their diners, diversify their revenue streams, and drive operational efficiencies in their business.”
ChowNow is dedicated to supporting local eateries by providing user-friendly online ordering solutions. With Soni’s leadership, the company aims to expand its reach and continue enhancing its offerings for both restaurant partners and diners.
ChowNow helps independent restaurants thrive by connecting diners to an ordering solution that supports local businesses. The ChowNow platform helps almost 20,000 local restaurants across North America sustainably grow their delivery and takeout business with streamlined online ordering technology, data insights and marketing services. Founded in 2012, ChowNow has processed more than 200 million online orders and saved restaurants hundreds of millions of dollars in commission fees. For more information, visit chownow.com.
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Deadline Nears for 2024 Seeding The Future Challenge
The 2023 Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge, funded and initiated by the Seeding The Future Foundation and hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists, attracted over 900 submissions from 78 countries. Scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and multidisciplinary teams showcased their groundbreaking innovations addressing critical food system challenges.
Ultimately, 13 winners were awarded a total of $1 million in prize funding: Eight Seed Grant winners ($25,000 each), three Growth Grant winners ($100,000 each), and two Seeding The Future Grand Prize winners ($250,000 each).
“Last year’s winners again demonstrated an incredible level of ingenuity and commitment in addressing the most pressing issues facing food systems globally,” said Bernhard van Lengerich, founder of the Seeding The Future Foundation. “The submissions we’ve received this year have been outstanding, and we are inspired by their novelty and significant impact potential on people’s lives and the environment.”
Applications for the 2024 Challenge opened on Nov. 1 and close on Jan. 6. To learn more or to submit an application, click here or to go www.ift.org/food-system-challenge.
New this year, applicants who pass the first phases of the review process or reached at least semifinal level in another food system competition can earn a spot in the Seeding The Future Global Food System Innovation Database and Network. This peer-reviewed, interactive database will showcase innovations to global organizations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme, as well as philanthropic organizations and the investment community, fostering opportunities for funding and collaboration.
Reflections from 2023 Winners:
International Food Policy Research Institute (HarvestPlus) – Seeding The Future Grand Prize Winner
Innovation: By using nutrient-dense, climate-smart crops, HarvestPlus addresses Zambia’s high rates of Vitamin A deficiency. These porridges support child development, reduce health risks, and improve likelihoods for farming families. Through the Seeding The Future Foundation grant, HarvestPlus is developing nutrient-rich flour formulas and food products for school feeding programs that will provide tasty, ready-made, nutrient-rich meals that contribute to the nutritional health of learners, particularly young and adolescent girls.
“The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge prize has given HarvestPlus a huge opportunity to showcase the value of biofortification – from production to consumption. The prize has greatly emphasized the relevance of our work in addressing food and nutrition security with biofortified crops as one significant strategy for change,” said Katharine Diehl, PhD, scaling specialist, HarvestPlus. “With the grant, we can now significantly accelerate the availability of nutritious food in Zambia, helping address nutritional deficiencies that prevent children from reaching their full potential.”
Learn more at www.harvestplus.org.
Naandi Foundation – Seeding The Future Grand Prize Winner
Innovation: Regenerative agriculture model (ReGen) in India. Naandi Foundation’s approach helps farmers transition from chemical-based farming to biodiversity-focused regenerative practices, improving soil and crop health.
Learn more at www.naandi.org.
Nurture Posterity International (NutriPosh) – Growth Grant Winner
Innovation: Affordable composite flour for school feeding programs in Uganda. The grant enabled expansion to 297 schools, feeding over 240,000 children while supporting 2,700 farmers in adopting regenerative practices.
“Nurture Posterity International’s recognition as a Growth Grant winner has brought significant attention to the organization while recognizing the importance of creating an environmentally sustainable value chain around the provision of affordable, safe, and trusted pumpkin seed enriched composite maize flours for school feeding programs in Uganda,” said Ibrahim Kasujja, managing director, Nurture Posterity International. “The grant helped our team to significantly accelerate our efforts to help schools switch to these composite flours with a better nutrient profile while transitioning away from using maize flours with a better nutrient profile while transitioning away from using maize flours that lack important nutrients known to improve cognitive health. Our team is so incredibly grateful to the Seeding The Future Foundation.”
Learn more at www.npi-ssa.org.
Association 3535 – Growth Grant Winner
Innovation: Solar-powered cooling hubs for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. By reducing post-harvest losses, this initiative enhances food security and farmer incomes.
Learn more at www.association3535.com.
Kopernik – Growth Grant Winner
Innovation: Indigenous farming practices and waste conversion in Indonesia. Through composting and circular economy approaches, Kopernik fosters climate-resilient food systems.
Kopernik was recognized for its Pangan Initiative, addressing food insecurity in West Timor, Indonesia. By adopting an innovative approach that prioritizes the return to and use of indigenous farming practices, food preservation technologies, and a circular economy approach utilizing black soldier flies to convert organic and food waste into animal feed and compost for farming, the Pangan Initiative will create a more climate-resilient and self-sustaining food system and community.
Learn more at www.kopernik.info.
Ndalo Heritage Trust – Seed Grant Winner
Innovation: Sorghum-based composite flour enriched with climate-smart crops to combat malnutrition in Siaya, Kenya. This flour made from locally available crops like amaranth, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin seeds, addresses micronutrient deficiencies in expectant mothers and children, promoting cognitive and physical development while reducing anemia and stunting risks. The innovation promotes both nutritional health and agricultural diversification, empowering communities to combat the impacts of climate change.
“Winning the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge meant a stamp of global approval for our innovation,” said Erich Midigo, founder and CEO, Ndalo Heritage Trust. “What makes this innovation impactful is its simplicity and scalability. This low-cost, community-driven model has the potential to be replicated across regions facing similar challenges of malnutrition.”
Learn more at www.ndaloheritage.co.ke.
UV4Good – Seed Grant Winner
Innovation: Portable UVC LED-based water disinfectant systems for emergency and field use. These systems provide clean drinking water to underserved regions, including Ukraine where UV4Good has continued to build and donate units while also creating an inventory of water treatment kids.
“Being recognized by Seeding The Future validates our commitment to innovation in addressing global water crises. This grant has given us the means to transform our vision into actionable solutions, bringing safe drinking water to communities in desperate need,” said Tatiana Koutchma, CEO and co-founder of UV4Good. “Winning has been a transformative milestone for UV4Good. This recognition has not only validated our innovation approach but also provided us with crucial funding to advance our mission of improving access to safe drinking water in Ukraine and other emergency-affected regions worldwide.”
Learn more at www.uv4good.org.
Global Seed Savers – Seed Grant Winner
Innovation: ECOSEEDS Project – Seed sovereignty initiatives promoting diverse, nutritionally rich crops in the Philippines. This project expands access to diverse, nutritionally rich crops through education and seed production centers.
“Being selected as a Seed Grant winner has had a tremendous impact on our growing international non-profit. It has allowed us to more than double the number of communities and direct beneficiaries we serve at Global Seed Savers and allowed us to expand our Seed Saving Community partners from three across the Philippines to 12 communities in all three regions in the country,” said Sherry Manning, founder and CEO of Global Seed Savers. “We have also trained over 500 farmers this year alone through our dynamic Seed School Education and Training Programs, and launched our second Seed Production site, which will serve as a key local seed production trial site, hub for seed education, and support growing a wide variety of crops that will ensure food and seed sovereignty for the region.”
Learn more at www.globalseedsavers.org.
For a full list of 2023 winners, visit www.ift.org/food-system-challenge/winners.
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