Impossible Foods Partners with Food Banks to Fight Hunger

California-based food-technology company Impossible Foods launched a partnership program this week with several San Francisco Bay Area food banks. The company teamed with Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) and Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties to serve its plant-based Impossible Burger to residents that participate in food assistance programs. “We are still ramping up and enjoy strong demand for our product from chefs and restaurateurs—but at the same time, we know that people in our hometown regions are struggling to afford food that’s delicious and nutritious,” Impossible Foods Vice President of Communication Jessica Appelgren said. “We wanted to launch partnerships very early in our growth curve to address food insecurity and give back to the communities where we live and work.” Wilken Louie, associate director of food resourcing at ACCFB (which will serve 28 million meals this year), explained that high-quality protein is the most desired but least donated food item, and the food bank’s partnership with Impossible Foods will help meet the needs of its 300 nonprofit partners and 905 food distribution sites. Impossible Foods launched its flagship burger at upscale restaurants in 2016 and, with the help of a new 67,000 square-foot facility in Oakland, CA, has expanded to national chain restaurants, including Umami Burger, Bareburger, Fatburger, and celebrity-owned Wahlburger.