Peter Ivey and Red Stripe serve mentorship with a side of social impact

IN JAMAICA, Peter Ivey’s name has become synonymous with the fight against hunger. This is increasingly vital, considering the United Nations declared that 864 million people grappled with food insecurity worldwide in 2023. As the CEO and founder of The Reggae Chefs, his work has transcended the parameters of traditional culinary arts, reaching far beyond the kitchen to address one of the world’s most pressing issues – the hunger crisis. Through his charity, ‘Mission:FoodPossible’, Ivey has dedicated himself to transforming communities by teaching them how to cook creatively, using the ingredients they have at their disposal. The food security initiative was the answer to Ivey’s question of “What can I do as a chef to truly impact the lives of others?”

At the core of Ivey’s mission lies a profound understanding of hunger, not as an abstract concept but as a lived reality. Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and having experienced homelessness in New York City, he knows all too well the pangs of hunger. “I know what ‘hungry belly’ feels like,” Ivey shared, recalling his own struggles. “So, as a food security activist, I take this role seriously. I knew I had to create an initiative that sustains me and helps feed families in need.”

For Ivey, food security is not just a global problem but a proximal challenge requiring innovative, locally-driven solutions.

‘Mission:FoodPossible’, the charitable arm of his business, identifies critical crops in each community it touches and teaches residents how to prepare nutritious and creative meals from those ingredients. “Everyone can cook potatoes,” Ivey says, “but if potatoes are the dominant produce in a community, we empower people to think about that potato in new ways to maximise its use.”

This seemingly simple concept has had a profound impact, reaching over two million people across the world so far, from rural Jamaica to the far reaches of West and East Africa. The initiative has been especially effective in rural Jamaican primary schools, where canteen staff is trained to ensure that students receive meals that not only fill their stomachs, but also nourish their bodies, again from readily available crops.

Possible Answer to global hunger

Fittingly, his work has not gone unnoticed. Forbes Magazine recognised ‘Mission:FoodPossible’ as a potential answer to the global hunger problem, a sentiment that Ivey both embraces and builds upon. He is keen to position Jamaica as more than a land of music and beaches. “In years to come, we want the island of Jamaica to be recognised for the impactful, innovative initiatives that emerge from here,” Ivey explains, emphasising his belief that solutions to global issues can be born in the Global South.

For him, food security is also about ensuring people have enough to eat and empowering them with the skills and knowledge to create sustainable, nutritious meals from their ‘most valuable produce’.

Ivey’s involvement in the Worlds Together initiative, hosted by Red Stripe, is a testament to his belief in the power of mentorship and community. The event’s focus on empowering women resonated deeply with him, especially given his own deliberate choice to assemble a majority-women team led by the brilliant Chef Patrice Harris-Henry.

To TheReggae Chefs’ founder, this was more than just an emblematic gesture – it was a reflection of his commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. “There is a far greater purpose in life than doing everything for profit. The metric I want to be measured by is how many people I can impact,” he shares, echoing the wisdom of one of his own mentors, now in their 90s.

This deliberate, people-first approach has become the hallmark of Ivey’s work. “I’ve always been a serial entrepreneur,” he reflects, “but when I decided to become a social entrepreneur, my life changed.” His purpose is clear – he does this work for those who look like him and are hungry. And while his journey began in Spanish Town, his impact has spread across continents, proving that the Caribbean is capable of generating solutions that address the world’s most significant challenges.

Peter Ivey’s journey is a potent reminder that innovation does not always come from the centres of wealth and power. Sometimes, it is derived from the heart of those who have experienced hardship and choose to turn their struggles into solutions. As Ivey continues to champion the cause of food security, he aims to change lives as well as rewrite the narrative around what the Caribbean can offer the world. Through ‘Mission:FoodPossible’, Peter Ivey has shown that with passion, intention, and community, the future of food security can indeed be possible.

The Reggae Chefs, the business, and ‘Mission:FoodPossible’, the charity, work together to realise Ivey’s overarching goals. The recent partnership with The Reggae Chefs and Red Stripe for Worlds Together, brought Peter Ivey’s social impact vision into sharp focus. With mentorship at its core, Worlds Together sought to foster personal and professional growth, all while sharing the warmth of a meal and a beer. This aligns seamlessly with Ivey’s belief in using food as a tool for connection, empowerment, and transformation. By creating a space where mentorship thrives over a mutual culinary experience, the event personified Ivey’s mantra – impact measured not by profit but by how deeply it changes lives.