The Earth Group: Changing Lives and Minds through a Unique Business Model
Kori Chilibeck and Matt Moreau, the co-founders of The Earth Group, share their journey in creating a socially responsible business that aims to help people in need. They talk about the challenges they faced during the pandemic, building new relationships with well-known brands, and their successful stories in making a positive impact on the world.
The Earth Group is a social enterprise that is dedicated to providing school meals to children globally through its unique business model. The Earth Group funds the school feeding programs through their worldwide agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Recently, Kori Chilibeck and Matt Moreau, the co-founders of The Earth Group, shared their journey, social initiatives, business model, challenges they faced during the pandemic, difficulties they experienced while building new relationships with well-known brands, and their successful stories on changing minds and lives.
The journey of The Earth Group began when Kori Chilibeck and Matt Moreau met in 2005 while working in Skiers Sportshop in Edmonton, Canada. After traveling extensively, they became aware of the severe conditions in which a significant portion of the world’s population lives. This instilled in them a sense of obligation to make a positive impact on the lives of those who are most in need.
Kori and Matt felt a strong desire to make a difference with their skills, leading them to establish a business that could make a positive difference in the world. One of the main social focuses of The Earth Group is the provision of a school meals programme. They recognized the importance of providing free school meals to students, relieving parents of the worry about their children’s nourishment while in school and allowing the kids to focus on their studies. To achieve this goal, they developed a business model that utilizes the revenue from selling everyday products such as coffee, tea, water, and chocolate to fund social initiatives that fight poverty. Moreover, The Earth Group is committed to minimizing their environmental impact by using sustainable materials such as aluminum for water bottles instead of plastic.
The Earth Group has partnered with the United Nations agency on The World Food Programme, providing school meals to schools in developing countries. This has enabled the distribution over 3,5 million school meals, which in turn has led to improved health, attendance, and academic performance. The Earth Group’s mission to give back to the community and support sustainable development aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, making their partnership a natural fit.
The pandemic presented significant challenges for The Earth Group, as it did for many businesses around the world. With the closure of many retail outlets and the shift to online sales, the organization had to adapt quickly to new market conditions. Despite the difficulties, The Earth Group remained committed to its mission and continued to find ways to support its charity partners.
One of the biggest challenges that Kori and Matt have faced is building relationships with well-known brands. Many large corporations are wary of working with social enterprises, as they can be seen as a threat to traditional business models. However, Kori and Matt have been successful in changing minds and creating partnerships with companies such as Fairmont Hotels and Four Seasons.
The Earth Group is proof that businesses can be successful and make a positive impact on the world. Their innovative business model has created a unique and inspiring organization that is changing lives around the world. Despite the challenges they have faced, The Earth Group remains dedicated to its mission and continues to find new ways to support communities in need. Their success stories show that social enterprises can not only make a difference but also create lasting partnerships with well-known brands and inspire others to improve the lives of people who need it most.
To learn more about The Earth Group initiatives, please visit their website at earthgroup.org .