Rise Against Hunger, a leading global hunger nonprofit organization, has announced the launch of It Starts With a Meal, a national, multi-channel campaign focused on encouraging individuals and corporations to take action and join the movement to end global hunger.

Red Star Yeast, part of the global Lesaffre group, is a supporting sponsor of the campaign in alignment with a commitment to provide 200,000 meals for people affected by hunger annually. Rise Against Hunger aims to highlight the importance of a nutritious meal for every person, drive discussion and awareness about the critical realities of food insecurity around the world and provide opportunities to take action today to help end hunger tomorrow.

“We forecast 2021 to be another challenging year for those facing hunger due to the pandemic’s effects around the world,” says Barry Mattson, Rise Against Hunger chief executive officer. “Taking action to help end hunger has never been more important, and It Starts With a Meal gives new ways to do so. It supports Rise Against Hunger’s work to address food and nutrition insecurity through immediate action that leads to sustainable solutions.”

“Red Star Yeast is committed to supporting those facing hunger,” says Bill Hanes, vice president, marketing & strategy of Lesaffre Corporation. “It Starts With a Meal is a dynamic, action-oriented opportunity to further that commitment and continue our partnership with Rise Against Hunger as they impact lives and provide food assistance to communities around the world.”

It Starts With a Meal aims to serve over 5,330 people in 2021 through the campaign’s proceeds. The campaign includes a social call-to-action for individuals to share a global recipe online and discuss the power of a meal with the hashtag #itstartswithameal. Additionally, It Starts With a Meal is launching with an Instagram campaign featuring food and lifestyle bloggers sharing their globally inspired recipes and encouraging their audiences to take action in support of the global hunger crisis. There are also corporate partner activations, consumer fundraising opportunities and a digital hub of critical information about the global hunger crisis to provide ways to join the movement to help end hunger.