5N2 Business Launchpad

5N2 is a Scarborough-based non-profit tackling food insecurity and food waste in marginalized communities. Since starting as a small soup kitchen in 2013, it now distributes over 4,200 free meals and groceries weekly, repurposing surplus food from local businesses. This reduces waste and provides essential support to those in need. In 2023, 5N2 launched 5N2 Farms, using hydroponic technology to grow fresh, pesticide-free greens year-round. These greens, marketed as “12 Hour Fresh,” are sold to fund their meal programs and reduce reliance on donations. However, challenges like inconsistent crop yields, limited distribution, weak branding, low customer awareness and staffing issues threaten the farm’s sustainability.

To address these challenges, 5N2 has initiated a project involving three Business Strategy Interns (BSIs) to provide the following benefits to its 5N2 Farms:

Create a Unique Selling Point: Highlight 5N2’s produce as a socially impactful purchase of healthy sustainable produce.
Secure Major Buyers: Partner with a large client to ensure steady revenue, reduce marketing costs, and establish a consistent production cycle and harvest.
Boost Marketing: Develop a strategic social media and branding plan to grow awareness and support of 5N2’s efforts to tackle food insecurity.

With guidance from an academic supervisor and 5N2 leaders, the interns aim to strengthen 5N2’s operations, ensuring its farms thrive and its mission continues to support the community.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ruben Burga;Kathleen Rodenburg

Student:

Partner:

5N2 Food for All

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Guelph

Program: