HipCityVeg to Donate $10,000 to Non-Profit Partner Common Good City Farm
Plant-based fast-casual restaurant invests in DC community and sustainable farming non-profit.
August 1, 2019 (Washington, DC) -- HipCityVeg announced its commitment today to raise and donate at least $10,000 to its chosen DC community non-profit partner, Common Good City Farm, by the end of 2020. HipCityVeg, a 100% plant-based, fast-casual restaurant, just opened its second location in Washington DC at 1300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, and is putting down deep roots in its adopted city of Washington. As part of this expansion, HipCityVeg actively sought a long-term relationship with a non-profit partner that aligns with its mission and values.
HipCityVeg founder and CEO Nicole Marquis and her team selected Common Good City Farm, one of DC's most impactful plant-based food focused non-profits, because of its mission to create a vibrant, informed, and well-nourished community through urban farming. The non-profit also focuses on serving a multi-cultural, multi-racial, and multi-generational community and its diverse programs create an opportunity for people from all walks of life to spend time learning about healthy food and participating in the growing process. It was also important to Marquis to partner with an organization that has strong female leadership, to reflect her company’s values and heritage.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support Common Good City Farm and its positive impact on the community, from toddlers through adults. We were extraordinarily impressed by the organization’s programs, leadership and mission and are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” said Marquis.
To raise money for Common Good City Farm, HipCityVeg will donate a portion of sales on designated days, including from its popular Banana Whip dessert, sell co-branded totes, make a corporate donation, make a donation when customers bring their own smoothie cups, and will also hold team volunteer days at Common Good City Farm and support the farm’s events with food from the restaurant, as part of this partnership.
"We are so excited to be partnering with a business that is showing people that plant-based eating can be easy and delicious. As farmers, we know how much climate change has already impacted our ability to grow food. Reducing our individual impacts on the environment through plant-based diets, composting, and eliminating single-use plastics are all amazing corporate values and ones that we're proud to share," said Samantha Wetzel, Executive Director of Common Good City Farm.
Since opening her first HipCityVeg in Philadelphia in 2012, Marquis, has been personally and professionally invested in local, sustainable food initiatives and supporting underserved communities in Philadelphia. Now, with two locations of HipCityVeg in DC and a third on the way in 2020, Marquis is investing in and connecting more deeply with the second market for her rapidly expanding restaurant empire, and is making a long-term investment in DC’s environment, economy and community.
“My parents both worked in service their whole life and served as a model of working for the common good. Plant-based food ties in to this because it’s the one thing that we can do to have the greatest impact and a positive ripple effect on our health, the planet, and its inhabitants,” said Marquis.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to support Common Good City Farm. Together, we can make plant-based eating easier and more accessible for everyone.”
ABOUT HIPCITYVEG
Created by Philadelphia plant-based powerhouse Nicole Marquis, HipCityVeg is a 100% plant-based, fast-casual restaurant. Based on the style of traditional fast food, HipCityVeg takes familiar concepts, such as burgers and fries, and turns them into equally delicious, vegan options, making it easier to have one less animal-based meal a day. To be kinder to the earth, HipCityVeg employs sustainable practices, including using compostable packaging. HipCityVeg currently operates five locations in Philadelphia and two in Washington, DC, with one more location in DC and another in the Philadelphia area opening soon.
ABOUT COMMON GOOD CITY FARM
Through their working urban farm and farmer’s market in LeDroit Park, DC, Common Good City Farm is a place where community members can source fresh food, see sustainable urban agriculture in action, and gain exposure to concepts and skills to lead healthy lives. Their mission is to create a vibrant, informed, and well-nourished community through urban farming. They actively engage with all members of their diverse community and create opportunities for connections on the farm, while emphasizing intensive vegetable production and modeling best practices in sustainable urban agriculture.
Photo Credit: HipCityVeg