about Nutrifuel
What We Do
At Nutrifuel, our main goal is to help everyone live a healthy and active lifestyle by aiding those who are food insecure. What exactly is Food Insecurity? Food Insecurity is defined by The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the lack of consistent access to enough food, that is also nutritionally adequate, in order to live a healthy life. Being both a temporary and long-term issue, a number of factors can cause food insecurity, including job layoffs, medical expenses, and low wages. As many in this position often settle for cheaper and unhealthy foods, we believe improving the quality of foods donated to those in need is a major step in the right direction.
By increasing the scope of nutritious foods donated, distributing multivitamins, and spreading awareness about the impact which the quality of food we eat has on our daily lives, Nutrifuel aims to improve the lives of those affected by Food Insecurity. After all, food is fuel, and we believe everyone should have access to nutritious food for a healthy life.
Current projects
Supporting food pantries
One of the main resources to combat food insecurity on the local scale is a Food Pantry. Food Pantries are distribution centers where individuals or families in need can receive food which is often supplied from a Food Bank or donations. Every community is different and therefore not all Food Pantries are the same. The point is, these wonderful establishments help those in need of food and one of Nutrifuel’s current projects is to fundraise for the needs of Food Pantries in Bergen Country, New Jersey. Some may need new fridges and freezers while others may need new shelves or crates to store donated foods and items. With your donations, Nutrifuel will be able to support local Food Banks in New Jersey and best equip them to help those in need of food.
Partnering with local Restaurants and organizations
By partnering with restaurants and local farmers markets in New Jersey, Nutrifuel works to distribute fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables to food pantries in Bergen County. At Nutrifuel, we believe that healthy food options should be available to everyone because regular consumption of highly processed foods and canned goods that lack nutritional value can lead to an increased risk of diet-related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Therefore Nutrifuel aims to strengthen food pantries by equipping them to distribute a variety of fruits and vegetables and healthy meals. Check out some pictures of our work down below!
Our Mission
Nutrifuel is focused on uplifting, empowering, and strengthening those that are food insecure by increasing access to fresh foods, and wellness resources, while spreading awareness about this issue. We believe that improving the health and wellness of our daily lives starts with improving the quality of food with which we fuel our bodies. Many people in the United States do not have consistent access to enough nutritionally adequate food for a healthy, active lifestyle, so Nutrifuel aims to provide aid to these people and help them improve their quality of life.
message from the FOunder
When people hear the terms “Food Bank” or “Food Drive,” what often comes
to mind is non-perishable items: canned goods and foods that have a very
long shelf life. Unfortunately, many of these foods are high in sodium,
low in nutrients, and frequently lack the nutritional diversity of minerals and
vitamins that are needed for a balanced diet. Nutrifuel aims to raise awareness
for the need for more nutritionally rich foods and help deepen the reach of
organizations that work to tackle food insecurity to uplift and aid those in need.
With the understanding that food is fuel and that the fuel we feed our bodies
has a direct relationship to one’s physical health, mental health, and performance in our daily lives, my goal is to widen the scope of foods donated to underprivileged families and give these communities the opportunity to better their lives by providing them with healthy foods to support a healthy, active lifestyle.
Growing up as an athlete, I was always taught the importance of fueling my body with the right foods in order to perform my best on the tennis court; however, I’m aware of the position of privilege I occupy. I want to use my platform to be able to help others who are not as fortunate to have the resources I’ve had in athletics and nutrition.
Contrary to my dilemma of making a healthy and nutritious breakfast versus choosing the quick and easy protein bar, underprivileged families and communities often do not have the choice between a healthy meal or an unhealthy meal. Instead, the income, educational, and healthcare disparities put those that are food insecure in the difficult situation of balancing food, medical bills, or any of the basic necessities. In order to help secure better nutrition for all, not just those that are privileged, I started this non-profit to help raise awareness and break down those disparities.
My mission is to provide better alternatives than canned and processed foods to families and communities without the luxury of making the choice between beneficial and health-threatening fuel.
Please join us in that effort!
Sincerely,
Alan Hua
Sharing my story
A few months ago, I was invited to speak to over 750 students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School about why I started Nutrifuel. As an athlete, I felt like my entire world revolved around my sport, but I found balance in my life by helping others. As I continue to share my message about the fight against food insecurity, I hope to inspire students to make an impact by serving our communities and working together to put the world in order.
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
– Henry Ford
Gallery
