Rethinking the Future of Food: How Electrolux Group Is Empowering the Next Generation of Sustainability Advocates

Photo: Courtesy of Electrolux Group, Mallard Creek STEM Academy Education Session

In an era defined by climate urgency and resource scarcity, how and what we eat has emerged as a powerful force in shaping the planet’s future. As the global food system accounts for nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, educating younger generations about sustainable food choices has become an increasingly critical mission. This Earth Day, Electrolux Group leaned into that imperative by inviting nearly 120 fifth graders from Mallard Creek STEM Academy to its North American headquarters in Charlotte for a hands-on lesson in eco-conscious eating.

The event, part of the company’s Food Heroes program, marks Electrolux’s third collaboration with the school, and its most ambitious to date. Developed by the Electrolux Food Foundation, Food Heroes is a global initiative that teaches children ages 7 to 11 about the complex relationship between food, health, and the environment. More than just an educational workshop, the event aimed to cultivate a new generation of informed eaters, conscious consumers, and climate advocates.

“In collaboration with the Electrolux Food Foundation, we want to inspire the next generation to source and eat food in ways that don't harm the planet,” said Ricardo Cons, president and CEO of Electrolux Group for the business area North America. “It's inspiring to see this excitement come to life both in the classroom setting as well as in the kitchen. We are delighted to teach our children healthy eating habits and the significance of minimizing food waste, as these are important life lessons. We can confidently say these students have earned their capes and are true food heroes!”

The curriculum covers the full journey of food, from its origins and global transportation footprint to nutritional labeling, waste reduction, and meal planning with a sustainability lens. It’s a lesson in both personal responsibility and systemic thinking—an approach that mirrors today’s broader environmental discourse.

Photo: Courtesy of Electrolux Group, Students Becoming Food Heroes

This year’s event dovetailed with Mallard Creek STEM Academy’s Zealous Empowering Nurturer (ZEN) program, an initiative that integrates gardening and food literacy into the school day. “Teaching kids where their food comes from and how to grow it empowers them to make healthier choices while understanding their role in protecting the planet,” said April Booker, founder and executive director of ZEN and a teacher at the academy. “We are creating a generation of young gardeners and food advocates who will carry these lessons into their futures.”

Since its launch in 2019, Food Heroes has reached more than 200,000 children across 30 countries. The program was introduced to North America in 2024, with four Charlotte-based events educating over 160 local students in its inaugural year. The Earth Day celebration served not only as a community milestone but also as a reaffirmation of Electrolux’s commitment to sustainability through education.

Photo: Courtesy of Electrolux Group, Food Heroes in Action

For Electrolux, whose brands include Electrolux, AEG, and Frigidaire, the initiative reflects more than a corporate value—it’s part of a larger vision. With over $4.3 billion in North American sales in 2024 and a workforce of 9,000 across the region, the company is investing in solutions that extend beyond appliances and into the culture of how we live, cook, and consume.

To extend the impact, the Electrolux Food Foundation has made its Food Heroes Toolkit freely available to educators, parents, chefs, and community organizers. Designed as an open-source resource, the toolkit offers practical activities and lessons that connect food literacy with environmental stewardship, because the path to planetary health may very well begin with what’s on our plates.