A Note to Our Community
Hello Spoon Crew,
We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the horrific acts of hate targeting Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. Following the escalated violence in the wake of COVID, the centuries of bigotry, and the microaggressions that continue to this day against our AAPI team members, community and families -- we are taking a stand to say it must stop.
"The “Spoon” in Splendid Spoon comes from my own Filipino heritage. My father’s family is from Manila and Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The spoon was a treasured utensil at every meal -- when we sat down to eat, it was with hands and spoon or fork and spoon. Always a spoon to mix the best morsels together for each bite. This family memory of a utensil that scoops, lifts, and holds nourishment is very dear to me and symbolic of the experience we aim to create with our product experience. To our AAPI families and friends - we are here for you, we support you." Nicole Centeno, Founder & Co-CEO
Most of the time, we are talking about plant-based meals, and the amazing power of mother nature’s ingredients to help us get and stay healthy. We wanted to take a moment to really reflect on our role as a wellness provider and how we can be of service to those who continue to be targeted by hate crimes. This year has exposed for us just how tightly tangled our identities are when it comes to safety, access to resources, and access to care. Food is right there in that tangle. Today we are lifting our AAPI community by sharing a number of resources for those who need support, and for those who seek to strengthen their allyship to the AAPI community. We are also shining a light on racism in Asian cuisine. From MSG to soy to rice -- dominant white cultures have not only perpetuated false narratives about these ingredients, they have deprived people from enjoying genuinely healthful foods!
We have always considered food to be one of the most powerful ways to learn and be curious about other cultures -- sharing something delicious to eat has been a pathway for human connection since the beginning of time. This is our aspiration, and we will always strive to unify through our food and mealtimes. We’ll also speak out against the acts of hate that threaten this unity and connection, to shine a light on those who are being harmed, and to always hold space at our table for those who have been marginalized. We’ll continue to help you understand the facts about your food and the misconceptions that have arisen due to racism, and we’ll continue to learn and evolve right alongside you.
Nicole Centeno and Team Splendid
Take Action
Follow @hateisavirus @stopaapihate @aapiwomenled @asians4antiracism on Instagram
Follow these hashtags to stay up to date on resources and actions to support the AAPI community #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate
Visit the Stop AAPI Hate website
Find ways to Act Now via the Stop AAPI Hate website
Visit AAJC for Resources to support and take action
Take a bystander training course like this one from Hollaback to stop Anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment
Support the AAPI Community Fund through donations
Tell us your story and report hate if you see it via StandAgainstHatred.com
Follow @kimsaira and @Annie_Wu_22 on Instagram for more actionable resources
Educate Yourself
Educate yourself on how Violence Against Asian Americans Is on the Rise—But It’s Part of a Long History
Read how Racism targets Asian food, business during COVID-19 pandemic
Learn about the misappropriation of Asian culture in food and wellness via @veggiekins Instagram post
Educate yourself on MSG and its historical relationship to racism. Check out the Know MSG website and Forget what you know about MSG via @antiracismdaily
Let’s talk about how we talk about soy and the historical context of soy and racism
Questions? Email us hello@splendidspoon.com