At the heart of this conversation with Andrea Rasca, he shares his unique perspective on the future of food and the driving forces behind MoM’s mission. He cuts through the noise and gets straight to the point about how we can make real change.
1. We often hear the phrase ‘lifelong passion’, but passions are rarely born in a vacuum. Walk me through the formative moments that sparked your interest in food. Was it a particular person, a place, a meal?
You’re right, passions rarely just appear. Mine’s linked to my Italian heritage – almost visceral, really. The kitchen wasn’t just a room – it was the centre of our lives. From the time I was a little kid, it was where we gathered every evening. We’d be eating whatever my mum had cooked, talking with my dad about his day, the problems, everything. It all happened around the table. Food was always the most important thing. So, the passion was there, simmering, I suppose. But I didn’t truly understand that it could be my life’s purpose until I went to Japan in 1995 – that was the catalyst. That trip, that single experience, crystallised everything for me.
2. Regeneration, food as a right, informed choices – a compelling vision. How do MoM’s regenerative practices bring these principles to life?
You know, when we talk about regeneration, food as a right, and informed choices, it’s really about those ties that connect us. It’s about a sense of belonging. See, we’ve kind of lost our way. We’ve allowed ourselves to see food as a commodity and we know the consequences. Big corporations, dominating. Economic systems, commoditising everything. And the result? Scarcity, not abundance. Accumulation, not sharing. Quite the achievement, wouldn’t you say? So, how do we fix that? We act. By sharing these regenerative practices, these conversations, a shift in perspective. That’s how. Instead, what if we consider it as a gift? Every bit we consume is a gift from the earth. And if we truly saw it that way, we’d take better care of it. For us at MoM, it’s about understanding that we’re in a relationship with nature and everything around us. How we think affects how we behave. If we see the land as something to be exploited, we’ll deplete it. If we see it as a gift, we’ll nurture it. And so, in practice, regeneration creates a climate of sufficiency, where everyone has enough. Resources are renewable if we treat them right. Honestly, sometimes we overcomplicate things, right? Good, healthy food for everyone, that is a right. MoM is not about quick fixes, though. We connect the dots between food, health, and community. We give people the tools to make informed choices, we build community around shared meals—because that’s powerful stuff— and we work with different partners towards policies that create real change. It’s all about reshaping a food system that finally works for everyone. We’re all accountable for ending scarcity. Now, perhaps our actions might just catch up? Indeed.
3. MoM’s focus on reducing ultra-processed food (UPFs) consumption is so important. How does MoM envision making a difference in people’s diets? What are the key areas you’re focusing on to make healthy food more accessible and affordable?
UPFs? It’s something I think about a lot. It’s not easy, but we can change habits. We cut through the noise byusing our 33 MoM Good Food Principles, 100 lifestyle recommendations, MoM Academy, sharing tips andbringing people together in our regenerative community markets. We’re drowning in processed junk, and people deserve the truth. Connecting health, soil, and community – that’s the answer. Shared meals, knowledge, and action will get us there. Because, real food is medicine. The damage UPFs are doing is real. That’s why MoM’s vision is simple: real food, the norm. We focus on accessibility and affordability. We bring fresh options to communities, and we push for policies that make them affordable.
4. MoM talks about working with global non-profits, organisations and like-minded individuals. How does MoM ensure these relationships contribute to positive community growth? What does it look like on the ground? How do these partnerships translate to real change?
Change requires collective action. We collaborate with partners who share our vision, each bringing unique strengths. This includes scientific rigour, local expertise, and genuine commitment. Grassroots groups, well they’re the lifeblood of our work. They’re deeply rooted in their communities, understanding the challenges firsthand. Their intimate knowledge of the local context, built through years of trust, is essential. For instance, together we deliver culturally relevant cooking and nutrition education workshops. And of course, funding is crucial. We collaborate with foundations and organisations who believe in our mission, who are willing to invest in our work, and amplify our impact. These kinds of partnerships are the bedrock of our progress. We operate on principles of reciprocity. It’s a mutual exchange, a system of shared contribution. Each partnership generates a ripple effect, bringing us closer to our shared goals. We learn, we collaborate, we build. It’s about the tangible results, that truly matter.
5. Looking forward, how do you see the future of food tech intersecting with MoM’s mission of creating a fairer food system? Are there any specific innovations you’re particularly excited about, and how do you see them fitting into MoM’s long-term strategy?
Food tech? It’s exciting, but for us it’s about how it serves our mission. We’re exploring partnerships, pilot projects, always looking for ways to integrate promising technologies into our work. And we’ll need to see the data to prove their effectiveness. Connecting consumers directly with local producers and useful resources has always been a passion of mine. That’s why we’re developing our own MoM app. We’re aware of the challenges, like the digital divide, but if we focus on equity and sustainability, food tech can be a powerful tool. Because, ultimately, food tech must serve people, not the other way around. And it must bring us closer to a food system where everyone has access to healthy, sustainable food. That is our goal.
