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Dark green rethink food truck with a menu board on a pale mint backgroundDark green rethink food truck with a menu board on a pale mint background

Rethink Food  • Declassified
Platform-led brand strategy for a national hunger relief movement

Rethink logo

Client since 2020

Challenge

Scaling Core Values

Working to dismantle and rebuild food distribution systems, Rethink Food Inc NYC, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, was designed to effectively redistribute nutritious food in its local community. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization was presented a transformative opportunity to expand their model nationally which required them to relaunch as Rethink, a brand to reflect its bigger and broader mission.

White rethink wordmark on a dark green backgroundWhite rethink wordmark on a dark teal background
Chef wearing a rethink cap beside two branded cap mockups in green and tanChef wearing a rethink cap beside two branded cap mockups in green and tan
rethink campaign posters about the food system pasted on a graffiti-covered boarded storefrontrethink campaign posters about the food system pasted on a graffiti-covered boarded storefront
Solution

Technology-Enabled Design

L+R put its ethnographic research, creative storytelling, and brand strategy into action in working alongside leadership at Rethink. The L+R team supported the organization to cement the communication of Rethink's core offerings in a unique way that reflected the movement’s values and spoke to both its partners and user base in a clear and concise manner.

rethink website homepage reading "It's time to Rethink our food system" over a dark leaf backdroprethink website homepage reading "It's time to Rethink our food system" over a dark leaf backdrop
Chef working in a kitchen beside a dark green graphic of rethink meal tickets numbered 0089Chef working in a kitchen beside a dark green graphic of rethink meal tickets numbered 0089
Impact

National Expansion

Rethink successfully launched a national emergency relief program, a certification platform, and a country-wide foundation. The movement immediately gained traction with top corporate partners including American Express and leading restaurants like Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park. Rethink continues to expand and share its vision, helping local restaurants contribute healthy meals to their communities as part of their daily business.

rethink design guide and brand application slides laid out on a sage green backgroundrethink design guide and brand application slides laid out on a sage green background
Inspiration

Rethink isn’t creating band-aid fixes for our food system– they’re reimagining it. Inspired by their emphasis on infrastructure, logistics, and clever redistribution of sources, L+R created a visual identity that takes cues from road signs, traffic symbols, and the people behind Rethink’s day-to-day operations.

Stack of dark green rethink business cards with gilded edgesStack of dark green rethink business cards with gilded edges over mint and red card backs
rethink Cafe molded fiber takeout containers with mint paper sleevesrethink Cafe molded fiber takeout containers with mint paper sleeves
The Bottom Line

Rethink Food brought nonprofit operations, hospitality, and food access into a more connected digital story. The broader challenge is making mission-driven work easier to understand, support, and scale. The L+R method is to connect strategic design, technical execution, and craft so new technology becomes a business advantage, with AI supporting the work only when it adds utility. If your organization needs to connect purpose with action, let's make the next move practical.

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