The U.S. presidential election is less than a month away and many food companies are encouraging consumers to vote through social media campaigns, product releases, and special promotions.
Raising Awareness Before the Big Day
With a record 54 million people in America facing food insecurity, according to research from Feeding America, access to healthy, nutritious food is more important than ever. Food maker Knorr has partnered with actress Dachsa Polano on the #FeedTheVote campaign. Knorr and Polanco, who formerly experienced food insecurity and was a recipient of SNAP benefits, will elevate the connection between hunger, food assistance, and voting this election season by posting on social media and providing education, resources, and access to nutritious food at on-site locations across the U.S.
"Quite simply, no one should go hungry. At Knorr, we believe everyone should have access to affordable and nutritious food. As we strive to make that belief a reality through our products and recipes, we know that food access is a government funding issue - and thus, a voting issue," said Bentley King, director, Savory North America at Unilever. "Working hand in hand with experts in this space like Feeding America, UnidosUS and our partner Dascha, we're committed to encouraging everyone to register to vote and enabling Americans to impact policy that helps their family eat healthier."
Ben & Jerry's is also rallying consumers to inspire change by bringing back its Justice ReMix'd flavor, which features the spicy combination of cinnamon and chocolate ice creams, gobs of cinnamon bun dough, and fudge brownies. The relaunch is being deployed with a new, urgent message to young people encouraging them to use their power and vote.
"Young people have the ability to determine the outcome of this election,” Chris Miller, head of global activism strategy for Ben & Jerry's, said in a statement to Specialty Food News Daily. "They represent 37 percent of US voters, the single largest group of eligible voters, and everything they care about is on the ballot—racial justice, access to healthcare, climate change, the economy, LGBTQ rights. There is so much at stake, and it's not just at the top of the ticket. We're working hard to encourage young people to make their vote their voice this November."
In addition, the ice cream company has unveiled a physical and virtual art installation based on civil rights icon John Lewis' autobiographical graphic novel trilogy, March. Lewis was laid to rest on July 30, but in a New York Times editorial written before he died, he said, “Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society.”
According to the Washington Post, 100 million Americans did not vote in the last presidential election. Hoping to lessen that number this year, RxBar has launched a Rock the vOat campaign, which focuses on encouraging people to register to vote so more voices can be heard. The campaign offers information on where and how to register to vote, deadlines, and other voting details and resources.
Alongside the campaign, RxBar is offering a limited edition RX AM Oats Bipartisan Bundle, which features two fan-favorite flavors of RxBar’s AM Oats single-serve oatmeal cups: Apple Cinnamon, which features red packaging, and Vanilla Almond, which features blue packaging. And because so many people will be voting by mail, with every purchase of the Bipartisan Bundle, RxBar will mail a custom “Rock the vOAT” sticker for those who will miss the iconic “I Voted” stickers traditionally given at the polls.
"Everyone deserves access to their fundamental right to vote, regardless of their political affiliation or how they plan to vote," said Jim Murray, president of RxBar, in a statement. "Through our Rock the vOAT campaign, we hope to encourage more people to register - and to cast their ballot - in this upcoming election."
For the big finish, RxBar is conducting a giveaway with the chance to win a three-month supply of RX A.M. Oats single-serve oatmeal cups. To enter, consumers need to provide their email at www.rxbar.com/RTV. The winner will be chosen at random and notified via email after the giveaway ends on November 3.
Offering Sustenance at the Polls
To help keep spirits up while facing long lines at polling sites, Uber Eats has teamed with Pizza to the Polls to launch more than 180 food trucks across 25 cities to deliver free food to voters. The trucks will be giving out Shake Shack, Milk Bar, and other local favorites while playing music and celebrating civil engagement. According to Uber Eats, the trucks will be on the road from October 24, which is when early voting starts, through Election Day on November 3.
Pizza to the Polls is a nonprofit organization that was founded the weekend before the 2016 U.S. presidential election in response to long lines reported at early voting locations across the country. By Election Day, the company had raised $10,000, which it used to recruit and train a team of twenty volunteers to order and coordinate the delivery of 2,368 pizzas to 128 polling places across 24 states.
This year’s Pizza to the Polls food truck program helps the company not only quickly deploy to polling locations but also helps to ensure social distancing measures.
“We’re already seeing a record number of people voting in places like Virginia,” Pizza to the Polls co-founder Scott Duncombe said in a statement. “Hunger is the last thing that should hurt our elections. Our mission is to create the same enthusiasm that brought everyone to the polling site in the first place.”
Chef Jose Andres, who is known for his activism work, is also helping to ensure voters eat well on Election day. Andres’ nonprofit, World Central Kitchen has launched the #ChefsForThePolls campaign, which will serve nourishing meals to voters on early voting days and on November 3. In cities throughout the U.S., especially those with historically long lines or massive turnouts, World Central Kitchen will team up with local food trucks and restaurants to provide fresh meals with the added bonus of keeping small businesses open during the current economic crisis.
“#ChefsForThePolls is a non-partisan effort that will feed people of all political parties and beliefs,” said World Central Kitchen in a statement. “Meals are not offered as an incentive or reward for voting; rather, meals will be available at polling sites for anyone who is hungry.”
Related: Slutty Vegan, Jermaine Dupri, Impossible Foods Team Up to Drive Voter Registration; Tony's Chocolonely Kicks Off Voter Registration Campaign.
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