Outlook Magazine - Fall 2017

COVER STORY

Making It MATTER Salamone helps those in need, from Twin Cities to around the world

ALUMNI GIVE BACK

What ’ s Inside MATTERS

Matter VP Victor Salamone ’88 helps with the Matterbox project, which provides healthy eating starter boxes to families in local communities.

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hanneling healthy food to people who are food insecure and medical supplies to areas with low health care access are priorities for Victor

Matterboxes can help combat an increase in medical health conditions such as obesity, prediabetes and diabetes. “A Matterbox allows users the ability to see that behavioral change is possible and healthier eating can take place if you are given a chance,” he said. Salamone, a hotel and restaurant management graduate, joined Matter in 2015 in business development to attract companies that want to get involved in their communities. He previously worked for 15 years with Hilton Hotels and then was a vice president of franchise operations and purchasing for Famous Dave’s BBQ chain, as well as a franchisee in the Louisville, Ky., area. With Matter, Salamone also arranges redistribution of surplus medical supplies via Hospital in a Box to partners in 63 countries worldwide that lack access to quality health care. Another Matter program, Farm in a Box, helps those in need with access to farming equipment and expertise. Matter’s goal is to provide health and wellness programs for 10 million people within three years, starting in 2016, and midway through 2017 Matter was halfway to that goal. Through his involvement on the Stout Alumni Association board since 2015, Salamone also gives back to UW-Stout. He recently was selected to serve on the Corporate Alumni Committee and looks forward to providing ways for more alumni to get involved at UW-Stout through and along with their employer.

Salamone ’88.

As vice president of business operations for the Minnesota organization Matter, Salamone works with a team to figure out the process for an idea and to get the job done with admirable results. One of his major responsibilities is execution of a new program called Matterbox, which provides healthy eating starter boxes to families in local communities. Matterboxes provide initial ingredients to prepare delicious meals that are lower in sodium, higher in protein and whole grains and incorporate fresh produce. The box also includes a shopping list and tips for children to steer parents toward healthier eating options and to simplify the cooking experience. “In order to roll out this product, on March 23 of this year we accomplished a pretty major event,” Salamone said. “We created a Matterbox Madness event that enlisted 32 teams of 10 to pack Matterboxes. It took a great deal of energy and talent to make it happen successfully, from a venue large enough to accept the 52 tons of food, to the setup, actual event and then the transportation and storage. It was awesome and quite rewarding.” The teams packed 210,000 servings and almost 5,000 Matterboxes, which have been distributed to nonprofit groups in the Twin Cities area.

MATTERBOXES Expanding access to healthy food in innovative and nontraditional ways by supplying a box of healthy, shelf-stable meals and nutrition education.

HOSPITAL IN A BOX Increasing access to health in some of the hardest to reach corners of the the world.

FARM IN A BOX Providing small-scale farmers in developing countries with the tools and education needed to thrive.

Increases Agricultural Yields

63 Countries Impacted

16,180 MATTERboxes Packed

83,398,613 Million in Medical Equiptment & Supplies

Increases Water Efficiency

54 Community Partners

Decreases Child Labor

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