In the US, it’s not uncommon to see kids selling popcorn. The treat is the Boy Scout equivalent to Girl Scout Cookies. However, at 12 years old, Jayden Hammond from Chicago, Ill. decided to strike out on his own, creating a new business dedicated to vegan popcorn – J-Rock’s Pop Gourmet Vegan Popcorn.
Hammond’s popcorn, unlike the Boy Scout variety, is 100 percent organic and made with minimal, quality ingredients. It does not contain any artificial ingredients, GMOs, gluten, or high-fructose corn syrup. This dedication to health sparked from his immediate family, as his mother is a health coach and his father is studying to be an acupuncturist. “They have trained me and my sister to make healthy choices,” he wrote on his company website.
The family has always enjoyed popcorn as a healthy treat, using unique seasonings and vegan mix-ins to create flavor without using dairy or fillers. “For years, my family and I have enjoyed vegan popcorn as our favorite homemade snack, especially on movie nights,” Hammond said. Encouraged by his parents, Hammond decided to launch his business and share his love of vegan popcorn with others – for a fair price, of course.
Now two years into the business, 14-year-old Hammond sells three flavors – J-Rock’s Classic, a cheesy garlic flavor; Ethiopian Barbecue, sweet meets spicy; and Plain, for those less adventures but who still enjoy the taste of pure popcorn. The young businessman is working on other flavors, according to his site.
In addition to providing the community with a healthier, cruelty-free snack option, J-Rock’s is also dedicated to supporting to those in need. 5 percent of all profits are donated to aid the current water crisis in Flint, Mich.
Other young vegan Black entrepreneurs are also getting into the food business to make plant-based options more accessible, no matter one’s race, gender, or income. 21-year-old Francesca “Sol” Chaney opened her vegan Brooklyn cafe, Sol Sips, earlier this year to provide convenient and affordable plant-based food to the inner-city community. The cafe’s brunch service operates on a sliding scale so anyone can enjoy a green juice or hearty vegan breakfast without paying top dollar.
To order a bag (or three) or J-Rock’s Gourmet Vegan Popcorn, visit the website. The company ships throughout the US.
Image Credit: J-Rock’s Pop Gourmet Vegan Popcorn
This post was last modified on June 27, 2021 7:37 pm