4P Foods

4P Foods operates as a purpose-driven enterprise focused on creating a more equitable and sustainable food system. The company was founded in 2014 by Tom McDougall, whose background in environmental issues and experiences with food insecurity in his family, including his mother's work with a food pantry and his brother's time on food stamps, directly shaped the company's mission. This personal connection to food access challenges fueled the creation of a business that bridges the gap between small-scale, regenerative farmers and consumers seeking high-quality, local produce.

The business model centers on a direct-to-door grocery delivery service, functioning as a food hub that aggregates products from a network of over 200 farmers and artisans located within a 300-mile radius of its operational base. This structure provides small and medium-sized farms with a reliable and consistent market outlet, which can be a significant challenge for producers who do not fit into the large-scale industrial food supply chain. 4P Foods serves residential customers and businesses across Washington, D.C., Virginia, and parts of Maryland, delivering a variety of goods including fresh produce, dairy, eggs, meat, and pantry staples. Revenue is generated through the sale of these grocery items via a subscription-based model and a-la-carte online sales. A key aspect of their financial strategy involves a "pay-what-you-can" model for tote bags, allowing customers to contribute more to subsidize costs for others, thereby increasing food accessibility.

A distinguishing feature of 4P Foods is its public benefit corporation (PBC) and B Corp certified status, legally committing the company to prioritize its social and environmental mission alongside profitability. This commitment is manifested through various partnerships with health institutions, educational systems, and community organizations to actively increase food access in underserved communities. The company's operational philosophy is built on the "4Ps": People, Planet, Purpose, and Prosperity, guiding its efforts to support regenerative agriculture, ensure humane animal treatment, and foster equitable food distribution.

Keywords: food delivery, sustainable agriculture, food hub, local food system, B Corp, public benefit corporation, farm-to-table, community supported agriculture, food access, regenerative farming