Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsa Jaworski
Hi Elsa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Mindful Munch was born out of firsthand experience in the CPG industry. We noticed that many nutritious items, though nearing the end of their acceptable shelf life for grocery retail, still had months of shelf stability and valuable nutrients to offer. This sparked an idea: What if these high-quality, healthy products could be redirected to benefit local communities rather than go to waste? Seeing an opportunity to make a difference, we envisioned creating a network of partnerships with other CPG companies to gather a surplus of healthy snacks.
With the support of these companies, the aim became to distribute these products to youth in after-school programs across Utah. Our mission grew to not only provide access to nutritious food but also to educate young people on the lasting impact of good nutrition, particularly in reducing the risk of preventable diseases. From this vision, we emerged, with a commitment to supporting Utah’s youth with both resources and knowledge for healthier futures. Today, we’re proud to partner with CPG brands and community organizations to offer children the tools they need for long-lasting wellness.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a nonprofit, we’ve faced challenges—from securing funding as a brand-new organization to navigating logistics for food donations. One of the biggest struggles has been bridging the gap between food waste and food insecurity—explaining to brands why donating their short-dated products is a win-win while also ensuring efficient distribution to afterschool programs in need.
Building trust with partners and educating people on why circular systems matter has taken time, but every challenge has reinforced why this work is so important. Despite the hurdles, the overwhelming support from our community and the impact we’re already making keeps us pushing forward!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Mindful Munch, we’re not just another nonprofit tackling food insecurity—we’re changing the way food assistance works by combining nutrition education, sustainability, and community-driven impact.
What We Do & What Sets Us Apart
We specialize in bridging the gap between food waste and food insecurity. While millions of pounds of perfectly good food go to waste every year, thousands of kids in Utah lack access to nutritious snacks. That’s where we step in.
Food Assistance Program – We partner with CPG brands to rescue short-dated, shelf-stable snacks and distribute them to 50+ afterschool programs in Utah.
Youth Nutrition Education – We don’t just provide food; we teach kids why nutrition matters through expert-designed programs led by licensed nutritionist Laura Dziubyk
Sustainability Focus – We prioritize circularity in the food system by redirecting short-dated products that would otherwise be discarded, reducing food waste while feeding children.
What We’re Most Proud of Brand-Wise
We’re proud to be a fresh take on food assistance—not just handing out food, but creating a sustainable model that benefits both food brands and communities. We make it hassle-free for brands to donate, and we ensure that every donation makes a measurable impact.
What We Want Readers to Know
We need your help! Whether you’re a CPG brand with extra product, a corporate sponsor, or an individual looking to make a difference, you can be part of the solution.
Every dollar counts. Your support fuels programs that feed kids, educate them about nutrition, and build a more sustainable food system.
This is just the beginning. We’re growing rapidly, and we’d love for you to be part of this movement to rethink food assistance and create healthier futures for Utah’s children.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Elsa Jaworski is an ultra runner who thrives on 100+ mile adventures and co-founded Women of the Wasatch, a community for women in the trail running community. An all-around outdoor enthusiast, she finds joy in skiing, biking, hiking, running, and sweating it out in the mountains. When she’s not on the trails, she’s savoring a strong black coffee and getting lost in a good fantasy book. Recently, she launched Mindful Munch, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity and reducing food waste—because fueling kids should be as simple as fueling an adventure.
Pricing:
- $5: Provides one child with a month’s worth of nutritious snacks from our food assistance program. 📢 Over 12% of Utah households face food insecurity, impacting children the most
- $10: Supports a full month of health education tools for one child, empowering them to make lifelong healthy choices. 📢 Children in food-insecure homes are more likely to struggle academically and face developmental challenges.
- $25: Helps us fundraise and keep both our food assistance and education programs running for one child for a full month. 📢 In the U.S., children in food-insecure households are twice as likely to develop health issues like obesity or diabetes.
- $50: Enables our team to expand our reach and include more afterschool programs to our network! 📢 Utah has 64 food deserts, where many children struggle to access fresh, healthy food within a reasonable distance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindfulmunch.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmunchnonprofit/
