Portland, Ore.: As part of its partnership with DoorDash’s Accelerator for Local Restaurants, the Black Business Association of Oregon is creating and releasing a Portland Metropolitan Foodie Passport Program to encourage people to visit BIPOC restaurants in the Portland region by offering discounts on food. Participants will be entered in a drawing to win a $500, $300, or $200 gift card at the completion of the program.
Participants in the program are comprised of over 50% women and/or BIPOC-owned restaurants including: AkadiPDX, Bamboo House, DB Dessert Company, Pollo Bravo, Downtown Freddie Brown Deli, Fat Cupcake, Jelana’s Bakeshop, Sunee Thai and Lao Kitchen, Le Bontemps Café + Catering, Love Belizean, Pinky’s Pizza, Thai Yummy Foods, The Joynt Juice Bar, Trapkitchen, Unicorn Bake Shop, Viking Soul Food, The Lodge Bar + Grill, and Xōcotl.
“DoorDash is proud to have partnered with the Black Business Association of Oregon as part of our work to empower local restaurateurs,” said Kierra Phifer, DoorDash’s Northwest Public Engagement Manager. “We’re excited to see participants of the Portland cohort of our Accelerator for Local Restaurants leverage the network they built with their cohort. In addition to the training, grants, and networking opportunities each restaurant owner received, the Foodie Passport Program is another way that participation in this cohort helps restaurants share their cuisine with new customers.”
The Foodie Passport program is designed to take the passport holder on a journey to experience some of the best food and drink establishments in the Portland Metropolitan Area. During the journey, the holder will enjoy a discount at the participating bakeries, bars, and restaurants from the participants who graduated from the Accelerator Program in December 2022.
“It was indeed a pleasure to work with DoorDash on the Portland Accelerator Program. The grant dollars that were given to the restaurants not only helped them recover from the pandemic but also helped them stay in business,” says Lance Randall, Executive Director of the Black Business Association of Oregon. “The Foodie Passport Program is a way to encourage food lovers from across the region to visit the wonderful restaurants that participated in the program to help them continue to thrive.”
Present the Passport to a server to receive a 10% discount on the purchase, then meet the owner or manager of the establishment and have them stamp your Passport. At the end of the Foodie journey of visiting all 20 establishments, turn in the Passport to the last establishment visited and become eligible to receive up to $500 worth of gift cards from the participating establishments of their choice. The Passport expires on December 31, 2023. The drawing for the gift cards will take place on January 8, 2024.
On Monday, April 24, graduates from the DoorDash Accelerator Program and the BBAO met for fellowship and business updates and to receive their Foodie Passport booklets and stamps to kick off this campaign. “I am excited to be working with BBAO and Black-owned restaurants to help each other out,” says Tam Cao, co-owner of Bamboo House and DoorDash Accelerator Program participant.” I see how food and culture bring everybody together, and I look forward to ways we (restauranteurs) can collaborate.”
About DoorDash: DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) is a technology company that connects consumers with their favorite local businesses in more than 25 countries across the globe. Founded in 2013, DoorDash builds products and services to help businesses innovate, grow, and reach more customers. DoorDash is building infrastructure for local commerce, enabling merchants to thrive in the convenience economy, giving consumers access to more of their communities, and providing work that empowers. With DoorDash, there is a neighborhood of good in every order.
About Black Business Association of Oregon: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) is an economic development organization striving to achieve economic equity that is sustainable and lasting for Black-owned businesses in Oregon. For more information, visit https://bbaoregon.org/.