Vancouver-based Burgerville USA shifted donation money to support Oregon State University agricultural program’s partnership with the Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, according to a news release from Burgerville.
The money, the amount of which was not disclosed, was formerly directed to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence at the university’s School of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources.
Black Food Sovereignty Coalition seeks to address inequalities in food, land and wealth systems by providing resources to farmers who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
The announcement comes after Burgerville faced backlash over its policy banning workers from wearing buttons and clothing that support the Black Lives Matter movement. In June, Burgerville reversed that decision but stipulated they must be produced and approved by the company.
In a press release, Burgerville CEO Jill Taylor stated “Burgerville is an ally for change; we want to actively support organizations working to bring racial justice to the regional food system.”
