Purpose as an Invitation to do More
“You can’t assume that you’ve got all the time in the world to make the impact you want. You’ve got to make it happen now.”
Growing up in Chico, California, John Foraker worked at the local rice farms as a teenager. Perfection was the aspiration of conventional farming and he was tasked with holding a marker where they sprayed pesticides. He didn’t know at the time that this was the beginning of a lifetime partnering with farmers nor the profound role he’d play helping reverse the narrative.
Today, John is widely respected as a pioneer of the natural and organic food movement, having led Annie’s to their $820 million acquisition. Yet, once you sit down with him, you quickly learn that more than an industry leader, John is a devoted father striving to create a world where all children have the nutrition they need to thrive; A mission he continues to advance as Co-founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm.
I was moved by John’s sincerity driving this mission forward when we met. Then, I heard a story that really struck me.
Once Upon a Farm aspired to be the first fresh children’s WIC brand in the U.S. — A goal that makes their products accessible to mothers, infants, and children, but is made complex by statewide regulations. Prior to our interview, I heard John’s co-founder, Jennifer Garner, share that he took it on himself. He worked late nights organizing regulations and setting the project, which is now live and expanding, in motion.
“Jen and I were like: We’re not going to do it five years from now when we’re really big and we can hire people to do that. We’re going to do it ourselves. The interesting thing is, after doing that for a week, I figured out that it was possible. It’s just no one had thought to do it…You can do it. You just have to start.”
John’s commitment to WIC gave me tremendous hope. It also illuminates the opportunity we each have to create positive change and the urgency it necessitates.
“You have to be somewhat impatient. You can’t assume that you’ve got all the time in the world to make the impact you want. You’ve got to make it happen now.”
In this week’s episode, we explore John’s perspective that purpose is an invitation to do more and that even when our contributions feel small, change happens through sustained action. Our responsibility is to begin and keep trying.
John’s goal is to be better every day. He shares the epiphany that led him to stop worrying, how he follows his heart making decisions, and the lessons he’s learned from fatherhood.
Where can you make a unique contribution in your community? How might you drive that forward this year?
With gratitude,
Jenna