Each year, SEED20 selects worthy nonprofits in the city and gets them in front of an audience for a three-minute speech, advocating for their work and explaining why it deserves some of the $45,000 up for grabs. This year’s SEED20 OnStage event takes place on Monday, March 25 at the Knight Theater. At the end of the event, the winners will be announced.

There are two food-related non-profits in this year’s class of competitors, both touching on food insecurity in two very different ways. Here’s a bit more about them and how to vote for them. You can vote daily until Monday.

The Bulb
Most of us are guilty about picking the prettiest produce at the market or grocery store. But where does that leave the bruised, yet still delicious, products? Alisha Pruett, founder of The Bulb, is looking to make sure no good food goes to waste while people are struggling in food deserts. Residents of these areas see significant health issues due to their lack of healthy eating options, so Pruett collects unused, unwanted, or overstocked produce and brings them to these areas. She’s looking to grow The Bulb’s presence with money from Seed20. See more about The Bulb below.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council
According to Erin Brighton, director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council, for many low-income students, the meals they have at school make up the only healthy meals (or only meals) they get to eat. They’re seeking funding to help teach kids gardening, nutrition, and cooking skills, enabling them to have access to fresh foods. Their program will bring these programs into schools, where kids can work together to improve their access to healthy eating. See more about the program below.

Want to vote for these nonprofits? Do that here! You can also hear their three-minute speeches by purchasing tickets to the event using this link. —Kristen Wile