Tavis Smiley Season 7 Episode 726 Robert Egger

Robert Egger, the founder and president of L.A. Kitchen, joins Tavis Smiley on season 7 episode 726 of the Tavis Smiley show to discuss his organization's mission to tackle the issues of poverty, hunger, and wasted food in Los Angeles.

Egger, who has a background in the food service industry, shares his journey of realizing the inefficiencies and wastefulness of the industry and how it contributed to the problems of hunger and poverty in the U.S. He talks about how he founded L.A. Kitchen to address these issues by using food as a tool to empower individuals and communities.

Throughout the episode, Egger shares how L.A. Kitchen is able to transform donated food from grocery stores and restaurants that would otherwise go to waste into nutritious meals for those in need. He talks about the importance of training and employing older adults who've been previously homeless or incarcerated to help prepare and serve the meals. Egger notes that the training also provides individuals with valuable skills and the opportunity for stable employment.

Egger also highlights the organization's innovative approach to addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty. L.A. Kitchen's believes that food is only one part of the solution and that a holistic approach is needed to fully address these issues. The organization also focuses on providing nutrition education, counseling, job training, and other services to help individuals improve their lives and break the cycle of poverty.

Throughout the interview, Egger emphasizes the importance of approaching problems with a “big picture” mindset, and the power of human connection in making change. He touches on societal challenges such as mass incarceration and the impact it has on communities. Egger notes that finding common ground and working with people across communities and industries is fundamental to creating sustainable change.

Overall, Robert Egger's conversation on the Tavis Smiley show serves as a reminder of the power of food to not only provide sustenance, but to also be a catalyst for social change. The episode also highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty, and the role that community involvement and education play in creating lasting and meaningful change.