Times have been tough for many people lately. In the US, around 42 million people rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed themselves and their families, but the recent government shutdown meant that many were not receiving the food stamps they needed. The government has now reopened, and SNAP will resume, but countless people are still struggling and feeling uncertain. Due to new program parameters, an estimated “3 million Americans could lose assistance within the next few years” per Congressional Budget Office estimates, ABC News reports.
Thankfully, during the lapse in SNAP benefits, the vegan community pulled together for those in need. Below, we’re celebrating the food businesses, nonprofits, and restaurants across the country who stepped up to help their communities during the longest government shutdown in US history.
Support + Feed
1 Support + Feed
Founded by Maggie Baird during the COVID-19 pandemic, Support + Feed is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and the climate crisis at the same time. The plant-based nonprofit partners with volunteers, local restaurants, and chefs to distribute nourishing meals to people in need, while also raising awareness through education.
When cuts to SNAP benefits impacted vulnerable communities, Support + Feed rapidly expanded its efforts to meet rising demand. It organized plant-based food drives at concerts, for example. Baird’s daughter, Billie Eilish, recently hosted one at her New Orleans tour stop and then another in San Francisco, while artist Rico Nasty held a similar drive at her Los Angeles show. “Huge thank you to Rico Nasty for caring so deeply for the community and for hosting the food drive,” the organization said.
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Kale My Name
2 Kale My Name
Chicago-based vegan restaurant Kale My Name offered free daily meals to anyone who needed them between 3pm and 5pm. The restaurant gave paying customers the option to add $11 to their order to help support the initiative, and the “Fully Balanced Plant Based Meal for Person in Need” selection is still live on its delivery form.
“When I learned that millions of people in America were losing their SNAP benefits, it was devastating. I know how many families, children, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities depend on that support to simply get by,” founder Nemanja Golubovic told VegNews. “Food is something everyone deserves, and I could not just watch it happen without doing something.”
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Impossible Foods
3 Impossible Foods
Vegan meat brand Impossible Foods partnered with Feed the Children to donate plant-based protein to around 100,000 people experiencing hunger in the US. The form is no longer open, but earlier in November, anyone facing food insecurity could request two free coupons for Impossible products at participating grocery stores, valued at up to $10. “Since introducing this initiative, we’ve distributed far more coupons than originally planned—increasing our supply multiple times to meet the overwhelming demand. We’re incredibly grateful to have been able to help so many families this season,” the brand shared in a statement.
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Florish
4 Florish
Florish in Tampa, FL, recently partnered with Impossible Foods to support the company’s mission to provide food to anyone who needed it. Earlier this month, the vegan restaurant announced it was offering up to 20 free meals per day between 11:30am and 9pm. “This is our way of showing up for our community during a difficult time,” Florish stated. “We’ve always believed that when society falls short for some of us, it’s up to all of us to step up and take care of one another.”
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Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
5 Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
In Chicago, Mexican restaurant Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria has been on a mission to support the local community. In early November, owner and chef Juan Lisandro Ramirez posted meal tickets around 18th Street, on street corners, and at local grocery stores, so anyone who needed a free meal could find them. To redeem the free meal, people simply had to bring a ticket to the taqueria’s Pilsen location.
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Baked Chemistry
6 Baked Chemistry
Emtesha Newble is the “head chemist” at Phoenix, AZ vegan bakery Baked Chemistry. Most of the time, she bakes sweet treats like cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cakes to sell through the business at farmers market pop-ups and online, but during the government shutdown, she started a new project called Chemistry Community Plates. Through this initiative, Newble offered pay-what-you-can meals to “neighbors in need and those who’ve lost their food security.” Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market shared on Instagram about Newble, “We’ve always adored Emtesha for the joy she brings to our market each week, but now we’re in absolute awe of her heart.”
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Strange Town
7 Strange Town
Strange Town, a vegan restaurant in Milwaukee, WI, also did its part to support the local community. During the shutdown, the restaurant offered free bowls of nutritious soup to anyone who needed them. “Everyone is hurting right now, but we are in this together,” the restaurant shared on Instagram earlier this month. “If your family relies on SNAP benefits to supplement your groceries, we have free soup available to go every night we are open.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
