Grill Master with a Mission: John Rivers of 4Rivers on Food and Philanthropy

Entrepreneurs, Executives, & Eccentrics

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary journey of John Rivers, a former healthcare executive turned barbecue mogul and philanthropist. Discover how his passion for cooking ignited a movement to combat food insecurity and revolutionize sustainable agriculture with the groundbreaking 4 Roots Farm Project. Tune in to hear John’s inspiring story and his innovative approach to creating a more food-secure future.

John Rivers is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, renowned for his deep passion for barbecue and community service. After a successful 20-year career in the healthcare sector, he founded 4 Rivers Smokehouse in 2009, transforming his love for cooking into a flourishing restaurant chain with nearly 1,000 employees. Committed to addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable agriculture, he launched the 4 Roots Farm Project in 2015, a 40-acre educational campus in Orlando. John's unwavering dedication to human and environmental health has established him as a respected leader in both business and philanthropy.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Career Shift to Success: John Rivers transitioned from a long healthcare career to creating 4 Rivers Smokehouse, starting with small fundraising barbecues.
• 4 Roots Farm Focus: Rivers founded the 4 Roots Farm Project in Orlando to tackle food insecurity and educate on sustainable agriculture.
• Educational Impact: The project aims to teach students about food origins and agriculture, addressing deeper issues behind food insecurity.
• Sustainable Farming: The farm uses innovative systems like a closed-loop aquaponics setup, showcasing sustainable agriculture methods.
• Health and Community: Rivers highlights the link between human and environmental health, stressing the need to fix inefficiencies in the food system.

Todays guest, John Rivers, can be found online at:

Website: https://4rootsfarm.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rivers-33260216a/

Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at:

BrightRay Publishing: https://brightray.com/

Entrepreneur Website: https://scottturman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/