To celebrate the anniversary of the first ever Pride event, and the season beyond, food-delivery company Deliveroo has brought back alphabet soup – with a difference. The much-loved soup has been re-imagined to include only the letters LGBTQQIAAP to celebrate and raise awareness of the broad spectrum of identities.
Deliveroo’s inclusive alphabet soup is available exclusively from Deliveroo Editions across the UK, including Brighton, from Mon 28 June – Sun 12 Sept (or until sold out). Costing £1 per can, all proceeds are being donated to Switchboard LGBT+ charity. The charity recently reported a 42% rise in calls from transgender and gender non-conforming people reaching out for support over the lockdown period compared to 2019.
“Deliveroo is proud of its continuing support for the LGBTQQIAAP community,” said Busi Sizani, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Deliveroo. “Pride 2021 is about embracing inclusivity and we are delighted to continue our show of support for the community with this tasty, but most importantly necessary soup that celebrates and increases awareness of the broad spectrum of identities. We hope it’s a conversation starter at the dinner table in many homes across the UK and that it encourages those who need support to reach out.”
Contact details for Switchboard LGBT+ charity can also be found on the label of the can to help anyone in need find a non-judgemental, non-directive helpline offering advice, support, solidarity and friendship.
Stephanie Fuller from Switchboard LGBT+, said: “We are delighted to have the support of Deliveroo to take the conversation and celebration of Pride into people’s homes. Since 1974 our listening volunteers at Switchboard have been there to provide calm words when they are needed most to members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those that care about them. We are sure the LGBTQ+ alphabet soup will spark many much needed conversations around the dinner table and it’s great to know that our non-judgemental, non-directive helpline service will be there to help anyone that needs to talk.”
The alphabet soup is best enjoyed with family and friends, and has been launched to encourage conversation about identity and sexuality around the dinner table. To appeal to a variety of palettes and dietary requirements, the soup is 100% vegan and comes in a tasty tomato and basil flavour with alphabet pasta shapes and a sprinkle of colourful edible gems.
“Through my design work, I always strive to include a message,” says designer, Daniel Quasar (above). “To me, no design is complete without its message as it is an integral part of the process. What do my designs say? How do they make me feel? What discourse arises from within the viewer? These are just some of the questions I ask myself when creating. Discourse means conversation, conversation means the potential to learn. Through my partnership with Deliveroo, I’m honoured that my designs will be a spark for conversation around British dinner tables.”
Deliveroo’s Deloveroo initiative focuses on inclusivity and representation and the LGBTQQIAAP Tomato & Basil Soup, which is limited to a run of 1000 cans, delivers a statement of style plus equality on kitchen shelves. It is available to Deliveroo customers across the UK in London, Manchester, Brighton, Leeds and Cambridge.
To help increase awareness of the issues facing the queer community, as well as offer advice, support and information, Deliveroo has also launched School for Allies, a new website designed to raise awareness of issues surrounding gender and sexuality. It was created by the company’s Pride Committee, which aims to protect and improve the lives of LGBTQQIAAP Deliveroo employees and allies, wherever they are. The focus is on educating colleagues, representation in the food delivery industry and playing a leading role in communities, aided by Helsa Helps.
Deliveroo’s inclusive Alphabet soup is available exclusively from Deliveroo Editions across the UK from Mon 28 June – Sun 12 Sept 2021 (or until sold out), costing £1 per can. All proceeds will be donated to Switchboard.
