Julio Ritta and the building of one of Brazil’s largest food-based social movements

In a landscape where hunger still represents one of Brazil’s most pressing structural challenges, initiatives that combine social impact, scale and innovation are becoming increasingly relevant. It is within this context that Julio Ritta’s trajectory stands out as one of the most consistent examples of transformation driven by practical action.

A social activist, chef and founder of the collective Cozinheiros do Bem – Food Fighters, Ritta has, over the past decade, developed a model that goes far beyond occasional assistance. His initiative has consolidated itself as one of the largest independent movements fighting hunger in the country, connecting gastronomy, social mobilisation and direct impact within communities.

The numbers reflect the scale of the operation. Over ten years, the collective has delivered more than 8 million meals across southern Brazil, alongside partnerships with projects in different regions of the country. During the pandemic, its reach expanded even further, impacting 36 cities in Rio Grande do Sul and more than 90 communities in Porto Alegre.

Its performance during critical moments reinforces the structural nature of the project. During the 2024 floods, Ritta led operations at the largest emergency shelter in the state capital, as well as at the Olympic Park in Canoas, producing more than 7,000 meals per day and demonstrating a high level of logistical capacity in crisis scenarios.

However, the turning point in his trajectory lies not only in numbers, but in the origin of his decision. In 2015, after being invited to participate in a gastronomy reality show, Ritta carried out his first social action. On that occasion, a 76-year-old man, who had not eaten properly for more than three weeks, consumed multiple meals in a single day. The episode completely redefined his professional path. From that moment on, he chose to close his traditional business operations and dedicate his life to using food as a tool for social transformation.

Over time, the project has also evolved conceptually. What once focused on soup distribution has now developed into the delivery of complete meals within a “comfort food” approach, using food as a bridge to dignity, connection and broader processes of social reintegration. This model has already directly contributed to helping more than 90 people leave the streets.

Beyond operational work, Ritta has also positioned himself as a knowledge disseminator. Since 2016, he has delivered talks at schools, universities and industry events, including appearances at platforms such as TEDx, where he advocates a strategic perspective: fighting hunger can be not only sustainable, but also economically viable when structured intelligently.

This mindset expands the project’s impact beyond direct assistance, influencing new models and inspiring other initiatives. Today, Julio also acts as a mentor and consultant for dozens of social projects that have emerged inspired by his methodology.

The next phase of his work points towards an even broader ecosystem. With the creation of the Ubuntu collective, Ritta aims to expand his impact into areas such as audiovisual, music and sport, training young people and creating new opportunities within communities.

His long-term vision is clear. To eradicate hunger in Rio Grande do Sul within the next ten years and to transform this model into a globally scalable reference.

In a country where the debate around inequality often remains theoretical, Julio Ritta’s trajectory reinforces a simple yet powerful thesis: when action, strategy and purpose converge, social impact stops being discourse and becomes structure.