Meaningful Mexican: Zambrero donates 15M meals to those in need

For every burrito or bowl it sells, the Mexican restaurant franchise donates a nutritious meal to someone in need.

For every burrito or bowl it sells, Zambrero donates a nutritious meal to someone in need. Source: Jack Dennis

Mexican restaurant franchise Zambrero is plating up food with a conscience. For every burrito or bowl purchased, a meal is donated to someone in need.

They partnered with international hunger relief agency Rise Against Hunger, formerly known as Stop Hunger Now, for the initiative, which deliver nutritious meals to those who need it most across 74 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. 

“The Plate 4 Plate initiative works on a simple but effective concept that allows everyday Zambrero customers to ‘feel double good’ by enjoying fresh, tasty food and contributing to a great cause at the same time,” says Zambrero’s CEO, Karim Messih.

Zambrero work with hunger relief agencies to distribute the food to over 74 countries, including Nicaragua and Australia. Source: Jack Dennis

“The initiative has created a global movement to end hunger, mobilising Mexican and healthy food lovers across Australia and the globe to ‘eat to beat world hunger’,” he tells SBS.

Locally, Zambrero partner with Foodbank to provide a meal to an Australian in need every time someone purchases a product from their retail range.

Those donated meals are made from rice, lentils and soy, then invigorated with 23 vitamins and nutrients. When a community receives a pack, they add whatever local ingredients are available to them to complete the meals, primarily via school feeding programs.

Specialising in fast, fresh and healthy Mexican cuisine, Zambrero have outlets across the country, and have sported a social agenda from the beginning. Dr Sam Prince started the business back in 2005, aged 21, while he was still studying medicine.

Dr Sam Prince began Zambrero in 2005, aged 21, while studying medicine. Source: Jack Dennis

“He really wanted to establish a successful business that helped people in need at the same time. Plate 4 Plate has always been at the heart of this business model,” Messih says. 

Just this month, Zambrero announced it has donated over 15 million meals through the Plate 4 Plate initiative.

“It is an incredible milestone and just one stepping stone in our goal to donate a billion meals by 2025..

They’ll also be hosting their annual Packing Day again on 20 October following the success of last year’s event, which saw volunteers help Zambrero staff pack over 350,00 meals to help relieve hunger in the Philippines and Australia.

To find out more about Plate 4 Plate, visit plate4plate.zambrero.com.

If you need more to taco 'bout, then head to our collection here.