You Have the Experience to Change the World

Gary Maxworthy shares a behind-the-scenes look at how he turned inspiration into action by drawing upon his food industry expertise to nourish the hungry through “Farm to Family.”

Purpose Prize winner Gary Maxworthy spoke about his social entrepreneurial experience during a recent special Encore Agenda event in Portland jointly sponsored by Springboard Innovation, Life by Design NW, and Civic Ventures, which sponsors the Purpose Prize.

After a career spanning more than three decades in the food distribution industry, Gary Maxworthy found himself pondering the question: Why should anyone living in the United States -- where agricultural products are so abundant -- ever go hungry? “There are a number of factors contributing to hunger in this country,” he says, “but lack of food isn’t one of them.”

Maxworthy, 70, started Farm to Family 14 years ago to tackle the hunger problem in a new way. Farm to Family distributes not-quite-perfect produce -- slightly blemished apples or bruised melons, for instance -- to California food banks. The project distributes fresh fruits and vegetables to some 500,000 people per week, diverting tons of food that would otherwise wind up in the waste stream. In 2007, Maxworthy was awarded the Purpose Prize, which recognizes social innovators who are making a difference during the second half of life.

Maxworthy explained how he drew on his understanding of the food industry to develop “a seamless process” for collecting produce directly from growers and packers and delivering it to the existing food bank network. “I saw the need. I saw the availability of food. The challenge,” he says, “was putting together the pieces.” His strategy was to start small, win over allies, and build on success. Last year, Farm to Family distributed 60 million pounds of fresh produce.

Maxworthy urged his listeners to seize the moment if they have an idea that could make a difference in their communities. “When the right time comes along,” he said, “grab it. And do something you really believe in.” His own story is bittersweet. Maxworthy left his previous career after his wife died suddenly. “My kids were grown. I had worked hard all my life. This was an opportunity to do something different,” he explained.

For people who are contemplating encore careers of their own, Springboard Innovation offers a program to turn inspiration into action. Local Agenda helps people use their talents, life experiences, and good ideas to lead sustainable change in their own communities. For information about upcoming Local Agenda sessions in the Portland area, contact Springboard Innovation.

Click here for more on Maxworthy.

*Update: Gary Maxworthy was invited to the White House on June 30, as part of President Obama's celebration of Social Innovators. Congratulations, Gary!

(Photos by S. Smith Patrick/Copyright Civic Ventures)