Behind the Business Blog

New Upfield US “Plant Grants” Program Provides Funding, Education and Mentoring. First Year Supports Black-owned Restaurants

Upfield US announced a new grant program, Plant Grants, aimed at promoting plant-based eating through charitable funding, education, and mentorship. This first year is being sponsored by Violife®, an Upfield brand and portfolio of 100% vegan cheeses and spreads, in collaboration with legendary hip-hop artist and long-time vegan, RZA.

The 2021 Plant Grants program will focus on helping community-based Black-owned restaurants recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic recognizing that these businesses are often the economic and cultural centers of their communities.

The program will provide funding to support re-investment in the business, an introduction to plant-based ingredients, and coaching on menu development from two plant-based chef pioneers, Lemel Durrah and Laricia Chandler to inspire Black-owned restaurants to add more plant-based dishes to their menus or convert well-loved recipes to plant-based.

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Small business debt is rising even as reopening expands. SF New Deal expands its outreach and launches debt relief program to provide $2500 grants to 400 San Francisco businesses.

SF New Deal is launching a micro-grant program to distribute $1,000,000 to small businesses in San Francisco, many of whom are struggling with debt even as post-covid reopening expands. In order to support small businesses and strengthen local communities, SF New Deal is providing grants of $2,500 to 400 small businesses.

A March 2021 SF New Deal survey of San Francisco restaurants found that the number of restaurants facing debt, as well as the amount of debt, has increased significantly. 60% of restaurants are currently in debt, compared to 34% in March 2020, the start of the first shelter-in-place order. On average, debt nearly doubled, increasing from $62,000 to $114,000.

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