NBA Star Chris Paul Just Made It Easier to Support Vegan Black-Owned Brands

Today, vegan NBA star Chris Paul announced his new partnership with online marketplace goPuff, which offers a variety of consumer products for quick delivery nationwide. Paul joined goPuff to help the platform diversify its plant-based offerings, particularly those made by Black- and Brown-owned businesses. “While so many people strive to be healthier, finding affordable, plant-based food that tastes great can be challenging. goPuff has a unique ability to introduce new, healthier brands to customers and then deliver those items quickly,” Paul said. “I’m passionate about the benefits of a plant-based diet and look forward to working with goPuff to build out their plant-based offerings to include a selection of my favorite brands, many of which are Black- and Brown-owned, onto their platform today.”

Black Americans are going vegan faster than anyone

The partnership was inspired by statistics that show that Black Americans are ditching animal products faster than any other demographic but are rarely the focus of marketing campaigns of plant-based products. Through the partnership, Paul will help goPuff introduce new plant-based products to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with which he works. “We’re thrilled to partner with Chris Paul to expand our plant-based food and snack offerings and make these items more accessible to customers nationwide,” Yakir Gola, goPuff co-founder and co-CEO, said. “As our customer base continues to grow and evolve, we’ve seen an increase in demand for ‘Better For You’ products over the past few years. Chris brings passion and expertise in plant-based food to goPuff and we look forward to working with him to make goPuff every customer’s go-to solution for plant-based food.”

To kick off the partnership, Paul and goPuff will provide plant-based snacks, foods, and drinks to visiting NBA teams in Phoenix—where Paul currently plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns—throughout the basketball season.

Chris Paul’s vegan journey

Paul has been vegan since 2019 and has since noticed improvements in his athletic performance. The 35-year-old basketball player is also a brand ambassador for vegan company Beyond Meat, alongside other vegan athletes including fellow NBA stars Kyrie Irving, JaVale McGee, and DeAndre Jordan. 

This summer, Beyond Meat partnered with Social Change Fund (SCF)—a nonprofit founded by Paul and fellow NBA stars Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony, along with Black industry executives—to support its goal of fighting systemic racism through initiatives tied to social justice, education, and health equity.