Hi! And thanks for stopping by. I'm Kelly D'Amico, MBS and I couldn't be more thrilled that you are here to learn more about me and Made to Sustain®.
Blog Mission & Purpose
The kitchen is the perfect place to start on your journey to a more sustainable lifestyle. From sustainable recipes to sustainable swaps to finding the right equipment to just answering your questions – Made to Sustain is here to guide you toward more sustainable cooking practices. We try to make things as easy to implement as possible – which is why we’ve created meal plans and seasonal eating guides for you.
A goal of Made to Sustain® is to help give recognition and guidance to brands that are doing the right thing when it comes to sustainability and health. We have a directory of sustainable brands that you can support, too!
I pledge to ensure I am providing you with factual, reliable, relevant, and digestible information that can help you make smarter food choices. I am so excited to go on this journey with you to create a more sustainable food system!
FAQs About Made to Sustain
What is Made to Sustain?
Made to Sustain is a sustainable food blog, social media platform, YouTube Channel, and podcast that aims to educate and empower people to make eco-friendly food choices around their food. We explore topics like plant-forward diets, reducing food waste, making healthy and sustainable food choices, and spotting greenwashing in the food industry.
Who is behind Made to Sustain?
Made to Sustain was founded by Kelly D’Amico, food scientist with expertise in nutrition and sustainability. With a passion for sustainable living, our goal is to help individuals understand and implement practical food sustainability in their lives.
Why the focus on food sustainability?
Food production and consumption significantly impact the environment. By making informed, sustainable choices, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote a healthier plate and planet for future generations.
FAQs about Made to SUstain's Mission
What is the mission of Made to Sustain?
Our mission is to help individuals make informed and sustainable food choices by providing practical tips, educational content, and expert insights on food sustainability, all while advocating for a healthier planet.
How does Made to Sustain contribute to the sustainability movement?
We educate readers on the environmental and ethical impacts of food choices, promote sustainable practices like plant-based eating and waste reduction, and advocate for transparency within the food industry.
Why is educating consumers about food sustainability so important?
Agriculture is responsible for 28% of global green house gas emissions. The food system plays a major role in climate change, deforestation, and resource depletion. By equipping consumers with knowledge, they can make choices that collectively lead to positive environmental change.
How does Made to Sustain differ from other food creators?
We combine scientific expertise with actionable advice, focusing exclusively on sustainability in the food space. Our content blends data-driven insights, practical tips, and relatable storytelling to inspire meaningful change.
What values guide Made to Sustain’s content?
We are committed to transparency, education, accessibility, and impact. Our goal is to inspire small, manageable changes that lead to significant environmental and social benefits over time.
Made to Sustain Content & Resources FAQ
What topics does the blog cover?
Our blog covers sustainable cooking practices, plant-forward meal plans, eco-friendly product reviews, food waste reduction tips, and in-depth discussions on food industry transparency.
How often do you post new content?
We publish fresh blog posts and video content weekly. Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media!
Can I suggest topics or questions for the blog?
Absolutely! We welcome input from our readers. Feel free to contact us with ideas or sustainability challenges you'd like us to explore.
Recipe & Meal Plan FAQ
Are the recipes on Made to Sustain vegan or vegetarian?
All of our recipes are plant-forward, focusing on whole foods. While they are predominantly vegan or vegetarian, we also provide tips for adapting recipes to different dietary needs. Each recipe will specify for you! We do not endorse any particular diet. However, I advocate for eating plant based whole foods, and meat, fish and dairy in moderation.
Where can I find your meal plans?
You can find our curated meal plans on our blog under the “Meal Plans” section. Each plan is designed to minimize food waste and maximize nutrient-rich, sustainable meals.
Do your recipes use specialty ingredients?
We prioritize affordable whole foods, seasonal, and local ingredients to reduce the environmental impact. We also share sustainable swaps for harder-to-find items.
Can I contribute a recipe to your website?
Absolutely! We’d love to hear from you what recipes make you motivated for a healthier plate and planet. Contact me directly if you want to contribute.
Made To Sustain Ethics
How do you ensure your content promotes sustainability?
Every post, recipe, and product recommendation aligns with sustainable practices, such as reducing food waste, sourcing ethical ingredients, and minimizing environmental impact in some way. I validate all of my information from reputable sources and 10+ years of industry knowledge in the food industry.
Do you feature sponsored content?
Any sponsored content will be transparently disclosed. We only collaborate with brands that align with our sustainability values. Sponsorships are crucial to help us cover overhead expenses and time spent creating content.
How can I start living more sustainably with food?
Check out our beginner guides and blog posts that include actionable tips, like reducing food waste, transitioning to plant-based meals, and choosing eco-friendly products.
Engagement & community
Can I collaborate with Made to Sustain?
We are open to collaborations with like-minded brands, organizations, and individuals passionate about sustainability. Reach out to us for partnership opportunities.
How can I support Made to Sustain?
You can support us by sharing our content, following us on social media, or contributing to our sustainability initiatives. Purchase products from the sustainable brands directory, and purchase our meal plans. You can also donate through “Buy Me a Coffee” Button 🙂
Where can I listen to your podcast?
Our podcast is available on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
Made to Sustain Achievements
We were recently added to Feedspot’s Top 100 list for Sustainable Living Blogs! Feedspot is a blog directory that features over 250k blogs and podcasts with over 120+ million users. We’re honored to make it to the list at #35!
Click to see Where I've Been Featured
We made it to the TOP 50 Sustainability Blogs!
Follow Us @MadetoSustain
Made to Sustain® was founded on my passions for good food and the environment.
Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date on the blog!
Made to Sustain Backstory
Established in 2020, Made to Sustain® was founded on my passions for delicious and sustainable food. After I finished graduate school, I needed a creative outlet for sharing my two biggest passions, really good food and reducing our environmental impact.
I don't have a favorite food, but I do love wine, coffee, and pasta. I also have two cats and a dog, Leslie and Buster, and Bandit who you'll often see popping up in my videos since they love to cook with me. My husband Marcus Smith (@things_ive_seen__) is my behind-the-scenes help, the official recipe taster, and sometimes appears, too.
A Bit About Me
As a Garden State Native, it’s a must to have an appreciation for food. I have a unique background working in the food industry for over 10 years. In 2017, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Rutgers University. I also completed my Master of Business and Science in Global Food Technology and Innovation from Rutgers University in 2020. Over the past few years, I've completed several certifications in sustainability strategies. The things I've learned about food science, nutrition, and food sustainability fuel my inspiration for recipes and sustainable cooking.
I've been interested in learning about our impact on the environment since I joined the Environmental Club in middle school. Over the years, I've tried many different ways of living low impact, and I've learned a lot along the way.
With my expertise in food, I wanted to marry these two topics and focus on sustainable food. A good meal should sustain you and the planet. Made to Sustain® aims to find ways to sustain your appetite, health, and the planet.
About Me: Credentials
While you can find all of my credentials on my LinkedIn page, here's a snapshot for you.
Education
Global Food Technology & Innovation, Master of Business & Science, Rutgers University, 2021
Food Science with a concentration in Nutrition, Rutgers University, 2017
Certifications
Circular Economies & Sustainable Strategies, University of Cambridge, 2023
Sustainable Strategies, LinkedIn, 2023
Forks Over Knives Ultimate Cooking Class, Rouxbe Cooking School, 2021
HACCP Certification, Rutgers University, 2020
Food Safety & Good Manufacturing Practices, Rutgers University, 2019
“You Can't love Food without
Kelly, Founder of Made to Sustain®
Loving the Environment, Too. “
Get in Touch with Me
We are happy to support collaborations, guest posts, and, of course, just good dialogue. Please reach out to me with questions, suggestions, comments, consulting inquiries, or anything else you would like to share!
