It’s typically mentioned that meals has the facility to carry communities collectively, however for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) folks within the U.S., xenophobic attitudes can flip meals right into a supply of tension. Many have recalled the frequent childhood expertise of being mocked for his or her cultural dishes.

Meals supply service Postmates is flipping this narrative with a celebration of dishes that had been as soon as the topic of disdain. The “Faculty Lunch” program, which marks AAPI Heritage Month in Could, is a collaboration with a few of Los Angeles’ greatest AAPI cooks to make lunches impressed by these meals.

An advert for this system stars actress Greta Lee (Russian Doll, Previous Lives). Showing right here in animated kind, Lee explains that her household moved round ceaselessly when she was a baby, which led to an elevated likelihood of being singled out for ridicule.

Bonding via lunch

Lee describes how she was mocked by classmates for the hand-packed lunches ready by her mom, which comprised of Korean dishes similar to mandoo, kongjorim, mumallaengi and myulchi. Though this stress brought about her to be upset and even throw her lunches away, Lee now expresses gratitude and love for her mom, noting that these meals had been merely “her PB&J.”

Drawing inspiration from the lunches packed by Lee’s mother, Korean-American restaurant Yangban has created a Kimchi Pozole dish, with hominy and pork stomach, that will likely be obtainable solely via the Postmates app all through Could. The meal will likely be delivered in an unique lunchbox with a younger, illustrated model of Lee on the entrance.

Whereas the meal is barely obtainable in LA, followers nationwide are inspired to go to Postmates’ social media accounts for extra info on how one can win an autographed lunchbox. This will likely be full of Lee’s favourite snacks in addition to a $500 Postmates credit score.

Later this month, Postmates plans to launch one other video and particular lunchbox that includes Filipino influencer Bretman Rock.

Along with the marketing campaign, the model is making a donation to the nationwide coalition Cease AAPI Hate, which works to counteract discrimination towards AAPI folks.