FEED and Ralph Lauren reunite to give back to No Kid Hungry.
FEED and Ralph Lauren have teamed up once again in an effort to end the child hunger disparity in the U.S. “While the issue of hunger is complex and it exists and persists for different reasons in each country and region of the world, the fact that access to nutritious food should be viewed as a basic human right no matter where you are born is something I firmly believe,” explained FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren to Mission over email.
FEED and Polo Ralph Lauren’s latest collection differs from their previous collaborations, with sustainable materials and an expansion into apparel from the last collection of bags and hats. The line is made from upcycled, rewoven, naturally dyed, indigo, and white fabrics made by New Denim Project, a company focused on bringing new life to scraps from local garment factories with minimum environmental impact. FEED and Ralph Lauren use these materials to create unisex bags, bucket hats, and clothes. Although they began with burlap, wooden buttons, and vegan leather, they have left heritage FEED behind and invested in new innovative fabrics to become more sustainable. As stated by Lauren, “For the collaboration with Polo it felt natural for both brands to create a collection that not only gives back by helping to feed families in America, but also helps the planet through the use of more sustainable materials and processes.”
Lauren, daughter-in-law of Ralph Lauren, began her education on childhood hunger from the UN World Food Programme and founded her lifestyle brand specifically to help end child hunger in the U.S. “My eyes were opened to the reality of the 600 million plus people globally who do not know where their next meal is coming from,” she says of her beginnings in the sphere 20 years ago.
The brands will donate 10 percent of each purchase to No Kid Hungry, an organization that gives children access to the nutrition necessary for growth and strength. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, child hunger has only spread, Lauren notes, “Many Americans are struggling more than ever to make ends meet. Before the pandemic one in seven children in America was facing hunger or food insecurity, now that number is one in six. Though many are currently out of work, it is the working poor in America who are working several jobs—that still have to make impossible choices between putting food on the table and other essential items like housing, medical bills, and education.”
This collection allows those with the financial freedom to purchase luxury bags a chance to support children and families in need, but is not the only way to give back. “Buying a FEED bag is not designed to replace your regular charitable donations,” Lauren says. “Rather it’s another opportunity to make a difference and give back. Whenever you are in need of a new tote bag or a gift, FEED provides a way to use that everyday purchase to do some good.”
According to Lauren, the focus of the launch is to emphasize that “the hunger disparity in this country is intrinsically tied to the broader economic, racial, and social disparities that exist in America, which the pandemic has made even more evident.” With No Kid Hungry providing meals for children as well as food pick up locations for families during the pandemic, the collection functions as a charitable incentive. Another way for consumers to get involved is to directly donate or by volunteering at local soup kitchens and food pantries and with No Kid Hungry.
Although designer collaborations are commonplace, collections promoting change are less widespread. Lauren adds that FEED has helped consumers donate over 120 million school meals and is an approach to educating the public, “I am also very proud that FEED is an entry point for people to give back and get involved with the issue of hunger. . . . Starting a conversation and a movement can have positive ripple effects that extend beyond immediate results and meals, and I am excited to see FEED’s continue to expand over time.”
The Polo x FEED collection will be available in select Ralph Lauren stores, the FEED Shop & Café in Brooklyn, the Polo App and at Ralph Lauren and FEED’s online stores starting Tuesday, June 29.
Image credit: FEED
