About Us
Feed the Mass: Empowering, Educating, and Serving Communities
Welcome to Feed the Mass, where our passion for food, community, and transformation converge. Founded by Jacobsen Valentine, a devoted Christian with deep roots in the food industry, our organization aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Portland's diverse and underserved populations.
Our Mission
At Feed the Mass, our mission is clear: to empower, educate, and serve. Food is a universal language that can bridge gaps and enable individuals to thrive. We're committed to creating a positive impact in the following ways:
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Empower: We empower our community with culinary education, teaching valuable skills that open doors to healthier, more fulfilling lives.
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Educate: Through our educational programs, we equip individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their food and nutrition.
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Serve: We stand in solidarity with those facing food insecurity, providing essential sustenance to those who need it most.
Our Story
Feed the Mass was born in the heart of downtown Portland in 2020, but its roots trace back to Jacobsen's years of experience and dedication. With a blend of Black and Hawaiian heritage, Jacobsen understands firsthand the challenges individuals and families face in accessing nutritious meals. He recognized the stark disparities in our city - food waste at an all-time high, growing economic inequality, and a struggling education system.
Driven by Christian values, Jacobsen decided to take action. He saw that the system was working against the community, and he was determined to be part of the solution. In 2016, Feed the Mass started as an educational initiative, empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to make healthier food choices.
Food insecurity has been a growing problem throughout the pandemic across the US, in Oregon, and especially in Multnomah County. The USDA reports that 13.8 million US households were food insecure in 2020 and estimates that this number will grown in 2021. An estimated 1 million Oregonians - close to 1 in 4 people - experienced food insecurity in 2020. According to data collected by the Oregon Food Bank, Multnomah County has the highest number of food-insecure people in the state: 133,230 individuals in 2020.
Our program has served 250 thousand meals to our Portland neighbors and rescued 500 thousand pounds of food from being wasted. Our community-driven, replicable programming combines the powerful perspective of cross-cultural collaboration with the working expertise of a skilled team of local chefs and educators. We’ve come together to share great food and the story behind each dish, celebrating our unique cultures and the collective food culture of the city with each meal.
In collaboration with other communities, we provide workforce training and internship opportunities to empower our community members further to support themselves and others. Our programming promotes equity, dignity, and compassion for all by connecting us through the universal love language of food.
Our holistic approach to food systems management and growing network of local collaborations has brought us to an exciting point in our ability to serve our community. As levels of food insecurity in Portland reach unprecedented heights and the funding sources that many have relied on to meet basic needs during the early stages of the pandemic disappear, the outpouring of practical and moral support from our neighbors continues to strengthen and inspire us.
Our impact
A Growing Crisis
Our Commitment
Join Us in Making a Difference
Feed the Mass is more than an organization; it's a movement of individuals and partners coming together to create lasting change. Join us in nourishing our communities and empowering lives. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.
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