Apparently, the Bush family tree is home to at least one tree-hugger. Designer and former model Lauren Bush (daughter of Neil Bush, niece of Dubya) is redressing her family’s rep by making a name for herself as a philanthropic and environmental do-gooder. She’s redesigned the stodgy burlap sack into a fashion statement that feeds the hungry — the FEED 100 bag. With each bag purchase of $29.99, the project provides 100 school meals to hungry children in Rwanda, in partnership with the United Nations World Food Program. The eco-friendly bag also aims to encourage reusable bag use and raise awareness about the 400 million kids around the world who go to bed hungry each day.
Natural foods behemoth Whole Foods — which banned plastic bags in their stores nationwide as of last Earth Day — has partnered with the 24-year-old U.N. spokeswoman to sell 450,000 of her FEED 100 bags so far.
We caught up with Lauren to get the story behind the FEED bag and to pester her about what it was like to grow up a greenie in Bushville (which she declined to discuss). Hey, if we were her, we wouldn’t want to talk politics either.
How did you get started with the U.N. World Food Program?
I started my work with WFP when I was a college sophomore [at Princeton]. They were looking for a student to get involved with the Universities Fighting World Hunger campaign. I had been involved with various charities, so when they called, I was very interested. But before signing up, I wanted to see their work firsthand, so I took a trip to Guatemala. After seeing their operations and all the people they were helping, I became their honorary spokesperson.
What was your inspiration behind the FEED bag?
I had the idea of making a reusable shopping bag that would give back specifically to the WFP’s School Feeding Program. It provides nutrient-packed lunch meals to school kids around the world, and is incentive for these kids to even go to the school in the first place.
The bag was aesthetically inspired by the bags of grain and food that I saw being distributed around the world. It’s meant not only as a way to raise money, but as a way to connect people to the cause.
And a free lunch at school probably helps make education more of a priority?
Yes. Parents who would otherwise keep their kids at home working or taking care of their younger siblings will send them to school knowing they will get that meal. And in fact, many kids even bring back food for their family. It’s great in countries where female education might not be as valued. The WFP will give extra rations; if the girl attends, say, for a month straight, she will be sent home with an extra bag of rice. It motivates people who wouldn’t normally send their daughters to school.
How has the FEED bag made an impact so far?
It’s made a great impact not only through sales, but also as a conversation starter. It’s so rewarding for me to see people walking around the streets of New York with a FEED bag. We get a lot of cool emails from people wanting to get more involved. It’s hard for young people to imagine making a dent in world hunger — especially if you can’t write a big check to a U.N. organization. It’s a way of giving people an easy way to give back. They know exactly what they are doing, exactly where the money is going. And on top of that they get a cool fashion-y item that is a fun badge of honor. We’ve sold about 450,000 so far — a lot of bags!
What were the challenging parts of starting this project?
It took at least two years after having the bag, banging on people’s doors and trying to get the U.N. to really get the idea. It was originally intended to be a fundraising tool for the U.N., but obviously making and selling bags is not what they are good at, nor is it what they are meant to be doing.
It became very clear it wasn’t going to happen within the U.N. system, so the FEED project became its own company. [Co-founder] Ellen Gustafson and I started it to sell bags and to give most of the profits straight to the U.N. That whole process was a learning experience; it was discouraging at points. Then to not only see it for sale, but more importantly to see people wear it, and see people who actually understand the mission behind it — it is very rewarding.
Along with purchasing a FEED bag, what else can our readers do to eradicate world hunger?
Our website is feedprojects.org, we’re building out a page for people who want to get involved. Even locally, it’s not just about world hunger, it’s about issues we’re facing here at well. There’s a lot to be done.
Besides FEED, what are some of the most exciting businesses or ideas on your radar right now?
Another company that has a similar business model to FEED is TOMS Shoes, which gives out shoes to kids in Argentina and Ethiopia who don’t have shoes. For every pair you buy, they give a pair away. The shoes are super comfortable and cute, and their giveaway is even better!
What do you think are our generation’s biggest challenges right now?
We are just beginning to deal with rapidly rising food prices, which means more people are going hungry every day. After traveling with WFP, it’s amazing to see the disparity between those in developing countries who don’t have enough to eat and those in more affluent countries who are eating only food that is fatty and with no nutritional value. In the West, we have become so detached from where our food comes from. We need to educate ourselves about this issue and come up with innovative solutions that are good for our planet and humans around the world.
Besides your work, what are some of your everyday eco tips?
I carry my FEED bag everywhere and avoid taking plastic when it’s handed to me. Obviously I bring reusable grocery bags to the grocery store. I recycle. I do the small things. I live in New York City, so I don’t need a car. I take public transport. I’m mindful of the impact of what I buy on the environment. I’ve been a vegetarian for a long time.
What books are on your bedside table?
I just finished Buddah, by Deepak Chopra, which was good. And A Death Foretold, by Gabriel Garcia Marque. I love all that he’s written.
Any guilty green pleasures?
I can be a sucker for a good pair of shoes. And I obviously read magazines and stuff. I like the feel of a newspaper instead of reading it online. But I always recycle it.
As a fashion model, designer, and businesswoman, tell us the top three things every woman should have in her closet.
Obviously a great pair of blue jeans. I’m a girl of comfort... so one great vintage sundress and one cozy cashmere sweater.
What’s next for you?
Well, I’ve stepped away from modeling — unless it involves the FEED bag — but in terms of other stuff, I’ve always loved fashion design, so that could be something down the road. But for now, I am very FEED focused.