Foodies Guide to Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

When is AAPI Heritage Month?

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month takes place every May. It’s a time to honor the cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the US.

The History Behind AAPI Heritage Month

AAPI Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the United States. The month honors generations of AAPI individuals who have helped shape American history, often in the face of discrimination, exclusion, and injustice.

Here are the origins of how this celebration came to be:

• 1977: Congress introduced resolutions recognizing the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
• 1978: President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution establishing the week as an official observance.
• 1990: Congress voted to expand the celebration from one week to the full month of May.
• 1992: May was officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month through public law.
• 2009: The term "AAPI Heritage Month" gained wider use to reflect the full scope of Asian American and Pacific Islander identities.

May was chosen to commemorate two important milestones in AAPI history:

• The arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843
• The completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, built in large part by Chinese laborers

In 2025, AAPI Heritage Month is recognized across workplaces, schools, and communities. It's a chance to uplift AAPI voices, reflect on history, and celebrate the diverse cultures that continue to shape the United States.

7 AAPI-Founded Brands to Elevate Your Snack Room

ITO EN

A favorite across Crafty-powered pantries, ITO EN’s Oi Ocha is Japan’s number-one green tea for a reason. Brewed from whole tea leaves with no added sweeteners or flavors, it delivers a clean, smooth taste that feels both refreshing and restorative. "Oi Ocha" means "tea, please" in Japanese, and it's exactly what your team will be reaching for when it's stocked in the office fridge. It is more than just a beverage. It is a small, daily nod to tradition, sustainability, and global flavor.

Chomps

Co-founded by Rashid Ali, Chomps is all about clean, high-quality protein snacks. Their meat sticks are made with 100% grass-fed beef and are free from gluten, soy, and dairy. Rashid’s focus on health and transparency was inspired by his family’s immigrant roots, where wholesome ingredients and nourishing food were part of daily life.

gimMe Snacks

Founded by Annie Chun and her husband Steve Broad, gimMe was the first USDA Certified Organic seaweed snack in the US. Annie grew up in Korea, where seaweed was a daily staple, and she wanted to share that tradition in a modern, snackable form. The brand is still family-run and dedicated to sustainability and organic farming.

Nongshim

This beloved Korean food brand has been serving up crave-worthy instant noodles for decades. Their signature Shin Ramyun is a bold, spicy classic that is perfect for a warm midday break. With roots dating back to 1965 in Seoul, Nongshim has become a global comfort food favorite. It brings heat, flavor, and heritage to lunch breaks around the world.

Biena Snacks

Founder Poorvi Patodia launched Biena to modernize one of her favorite Indian childhood snacks: roasted chickpeas. Her goal was to bring plant-based protein and big flavor into the mainstream, and she succeeded. Biena’s crunchy snacks are packed with fiber and spice, and the story behind them is just as powerful as the punch they pack.

Mylk Labs

Founded by Grace Cheng, a first-generation Taiwanese-American and former model, Mylk Labs was inspired by the simple breakfast rituals of her upbringing. The result is real-ingredient, single-serve oatmeal with no added sugar. It is wellness without compromise, made for busy mornings. Every bowl supports a small, women- and AAPI-owned business.

Looking to level it up? We used Mylk Labs oatmeal in one of our Snack Hack series to create a customizable office oatmeal bar that is as fun as it is filling.

gr8nola

Created by Serena Poon, a Chinese-American health coach and wellness entrepreneur, gr8nola was born at the intersection of clean eating and great taste. With superfood ingredients like charcoal, matcha, and turmeric, gr8nola is a better-for-you pantry staple that turns snacking into a nourishing, feel-good ritual.

Other Ideas to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month: 

Snacks are a great starting point, but there are other meaningful ways to recognize and uplift AAPI voices at work. Here are a few ideas:

• Spotlight AAPI voices: Celebrate your AAPI teammates by sharing their stories, career journeys, or favorite cultural traditions if they are comfortable. This could be a Slack post, an internal newsletter highlight, or a short video.
• Invite a guest speaker or panel: Host a conversation with AAPI entrepreneurs, community leaders, or cultural experts. These events can be in-person or virtual and are a great way to build awareness and spark dialogue.
• Support local AAPI-owned businesses: Partner with a neighborhood restaurant or caterer with AAPI roots. Include a note in your order or event materials to share the story behind the business and why your team chose to support them.
• Share educational resources: Put together a list of articles, videos, or podcasts that explore AAPI history and culture. Encourage the team to check them out and reflect together during the month.

Other Resources

Want to dig deeper into the history, identity, and experiences that make up the AAPI community? Start here:

• Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Smithsonian
• Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)

If you're still unsure, just ask! Acknowledge that you don't know much about a particular culture, express your desire to learn more about and celebrate it, and then ask your team members for their feedback. This is also a fantastic opportunity to tap into your DEI team and ERGs (and if you don’t have either of those, it’s an ideal time to start one!).

Conclusion

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month is about more than checking a box. It is about honoring stories, supporting the community, and building workplaces where everyone feels seen. By curating your breakroom with thoughtful, AAPI-founded snacks and beverages, you create a space for curiosity, celebration, and shared experiences. Sometimes, the simplest way to start a meaningful conversation is over a really good green tea.