Spring Activator’s Chief Design Officer Allison Gibson has just wrapped the first ever #BlackFood Energy Accelerator program in collaboration with the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce and Door Dash Canada.
This 10-week program provided support for high-performing Black owned food businesses in Toronto and covered a range of topics from integrating pride and resilience into a business model, to sharing foundational food industry best practices and trade secrets to help participants increase overall business operations and sales. As the world becomes more conscious of how they spend their dollars and which businesses to support many individuals are seeking to make a positive change through their daily spending habits and one area where this shift is particularly apparent is in the food industry.
More and more people are interested in supporting businesses that are independently owned and operated with a growing trend of patronizing restaurants that feature unique and tasty food items from around the world. This trend remains true for black food businesses that operate with a unique energy and offerings, which DoorDash refers to as #BlackFoodEnergy.
#BlackFoodEnergy businesses are ones that are owned and operated by Black entrepreneurs and prioritize offering unique and vibrant cultural food and beverage items.
These businesses also aim to contribute positively to their communities by providing healthy and sustainable food options while creating job opportunities for individuals in the Black community.
This year, we had the opportunity to ask the 2023 Black Food Energy Accelerator cohort about what “impact” and “#BlackFoodEnergy” means for them and here is what they had to say.
Introducing the 2023 #BlackFoodEnergy Cohort
Inside Lagos Kitchen
“Impact means doing things that people will learn and grow from; #BlackFoodEnergy is all about bringing the Black community together within the food and service industry.”
Ago's Boat Fish and Chips
“We see impact in the way my business has an effect on someone or something. The feeling you receive from working with people.
What we love the most is how this gives the opportunity for black chefs and business owners to push the limit to greater possibilities.”
Boukan Edible Bliss
“To us, providing the best customer service and quality of food, is what makes our business so impactful; it’s grown further by word of mouth.
People need to consider black businesses being a hub for great information to support other businesses and professionals within the community because they provide incredible knowledge for growth.”
Classic Juice Co.
“As a Black business owner/operator impact means leveraging our key resources to make a difference in the lives of individuals in our community and the world at a large.
At Classic Juice Co. #BlackFoodEnergy is the royal life force energy of African-ness embodied in the preparation, tastes, flavours notes, and presentation of food that nourishes the body and ignites the spirit.”
Honey Soul Food
“Impact for me is how many lives I can positively change within my entrepreneurial journey. A movement of the needle is a movement indeed.
For me, #BlackFoodEnergy is all about vibes. #BlackFoodEnergy is about flavours. #BlackFoodEnergy is about culture, authenticity, history, and the evolution of recipes that date back to our ancestors.”
Hasco Kitchen
“As a Black business owner and chef of Hasco Kitchen, impact means everything to me. It means that my business is making a difference not only in the lives of my customers, but also in my community. It means that I am creating job opportunities for people who might not otherwise have them. It means that I am able to use my platform to support causes and organizations that are important to me and my community.
#BlackFoodEnergy is about more than just the food itself – it’s about the stories and traditions that are woven into every dish. It’s about the resilience and creativity of Black chefs and cooks, who have had to navigate countless obstacles and challenges to bring their cuisine to the world.”
Congratulations to these entrepreneurs for successful completion of the #BlackFoodEnergy Accelerator and check out their establishments if you’re in the Greater Toronto area and looking for tasty and unique food and beverage options!
