Ivanka Trump Launches Initiative to Expand Fresh Food Access

Ivanka Trump revealed Thursday her latest entrepreneurial venture aimed at revolutionizing access to fresh produce across America. The former White House advisor announced her role as co-founder of Planet Harvest, a “profit-for-purpose” company working to connect surplus harvests with underserved communities while supporting American farmers and reducing food waste.

During a fireside chat at the Heartland Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, Trump discussed how her company leverages technology and logistics innovation to address significant gaps in America’s food distribution system, particularly in areas with limited access to nutritious options. The appearance marks Trump’s return to the national conversation after maintaining a relatively low profile during the first months of her father’s second administration.

Building on Pandemic-Era Food Program Success

“Beginning with the [USDA’s] Farmers to Families Food Box program during the COVID pandemic, I’ve developed a real passion for supporting American farmers and getting more food into communities in need,” Trump told Axios ahead of her announcement.

The Farmers to Families initiative, which Trump helped spearhead in 2020, delivered billions of dollars worth of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks and nonprofits serving vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Despite facing criticism over some implementation challenges, the program ultimately distributed over 3.3 billion meals nationwide and provided a critical lifeline to both struggling farmers and food-insecure families.

Since leaving government, Trump has continued supporting emergency feeding efforts in disaster-stricken areas from Maui to Fort Myers, Florida. This experience informed the development of Planet Harvest, which she co-founded in 2023 with longtime friend Melissa Melshenker Ackerman, a produce supply-chain expert who serves as the company’s CEO.

Technology-Driven Food Distribution Model

“We launched Planet Harvest to reimagine how American produce moves—not just through the supply chain, but across communities,” Trump explained. The company utilizes “real-time data and smart logistics to match the right produce with the right buyer at the right time,” creating more efficient pathways for fresh food to reach markets including underserved neighborhoods.

One innovative approach involves collaborating with food manufacturers to transform surplus crops into shelf-stable products with extended life spans. As an example, the company has developed dried, no-sugar-added cherries from fruit that might otherwise go to waste, according to company materials reviewed by NBC News.

The business model addresses multiple challenges simultaneously: reducing the estimated 30-40% of food wasted in the U.S. supply chain, creating new revenue streams for American farmers struggling with thin profit margins, and expanding access to nutritious foods in areas commonly described as “food deserts.”

Public Health Focus During Time of Need

Trump’s initiative comes amid growing concern about nutrition-related health conditions in the United States. In her Bentonville appearance, she was interviewed by Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global, who highlighted the potential broader impacts of improved food access.

“Ivanka’s decision to focus on democratizing access to healthy food comes at an unprecedented moment in our country’s healthcare journey, where we’re finally recognizing the scale of the crisis in chronic diseases,” Huffington told Axios.

The timing is particularly relevant as the Make America Healthy Again initiative, championed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has placed renewed emphasis on nutrition as a cornerstone of public health policy. The administration recently committed to updating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by December 31, 2025, according to a USDA press release.

Critics Question Food Program Implementation

While Trump’s new venture has generated positive attention in business and agricultural circles, some critics have raised questions informed by challenges faced during the implementation of the original Farmers to Families program.

A 2021 congressional investigation found that the Trump-era program at times awarded contracts to inexperienced distributors and faced criticism for inefficiencies including food deliveries that arrived spoiled or with limited nutritional value. Some anti-hunger advocates argue that expanding SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) provides more efficient and dignified assistance than box distribution programs.

However, Planet Harvest’s business model differs significantly from the government program by operating as a private enterprise with greater flexibility to innovate and adapt to market conditions. The company’s emphasis on technology-driven solutions also addresses some of the logistical challenges that plagued earlier food distribution efforts.

Whole-Harvest Solution to Complex Problem

According to Trump, what sets Planet Harvest apart is its whole-system approach to food distribution. “By connecting fresh and surplus harvests with those who can benefit from them, we’re supporting farmers, reducing food waste, expanding access and using good nutrition to improve health,” she said.

The initiative comes at a critical time for American agriculture, as farmers face significant pressure from tariffs, labor shortages, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. While these challenges introduce complexity into the food system, they also create opportunity for innovative distribution models that can adapt to changing conditions.

Trump’s relatively low profile in her father’s second administration has allowed her to focus on private sector initiatives like Planet Harvest. While she has reportedly provided behind-the-scenes advice on certain policy matters, her public appearances have been limited compared to her active role during the first Trump presidency.