FOODWORKS, UNDER THE COMPASS GROUP USA, PARTNERS WITH SUBARU TO SUPPORT CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES THROUGH THE IGNITE PROGRAM
FOODWORKS, a restaurant incubator under Compass Group USA with a mission to shape the future of corporate dining through a local lens, is proud to partner with Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) to donate $20,000 of the IGNITE Program to help support small businesses throughout their hometown of Camden, N.J.
FOODWORKS created the IGNITE program in April of 2022 due to reduced funding for restaurants from the federal government. FOODWORKS saw an opportunity to step in and support their loyal partners nationwide. They introduced IGNITE, a community grant program for their restaurant partners nationwide with over $100,000 available in immediate grants to enable women and minority-owned vendor partners to add new equipment, expand operations or achieve certifications that would help them expand their local customer base and bring local flavor to corporate Compass USA clients.
Since 2018, when SOA moved its headquarters to Camden, N.J., Subaru has supported neighbors and small businesses in the community as part of the national Subaru Love Promise commitment. Through the automaker’s long-time food service provider, Eurest, and the Compass Group USA, Subaru invited Coker and the FOODWORKS team to speak with local business owners and awarded IGNITE grants based on their needs.
“Subaru and our partners are proud to dedicate this donation to the local businesses of Camden, New Jersey who have shown us hospitality and companionship since Subaru moved in five years ago,” said Shira Haaz, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Subaru of America, Inc. “We want to thank Eurest and the Compass Group USA for the opportunity to give back to those that are important to us.”
The first Camden small business IGNITE grant recipient is Blowin’ Smoque, the food truck turned brick-and-mortar barbecue concept located in Camden, New Jersey’s historic Parkside. Blowin’ Smoque was first introduced to Subaru after providing catering to their downtown headquarters and has grown into a Camden staple. FOODWORKS President, John Coker, donated $2,500 to the Blowin’ Smoque team through IGNITE to provide overall support and walked them through the necessary logistics to grow their business by acquiring increased insurance and other operational support. With the IGNITE grant, Blowin’ Smoque can now offer their menu at the SOA café so employees can get a taste of the local Camden food scene and support a local business.
FOODWORKS and Subaru are excited to continue supporting and mentoring local businesses in the Camden area. Whether it be supporting insurance costs, addressing questions, or just providing a helping hand, FOODWORKS is eager to welcome more Camden businesses to their IGNITE program lineup. For more information and to apply for the program, please complete the “Ready to Connect” email form at https://foodworks.org/partner to be connected with a FOODWORKS regional manager.