Celebrating Local Brands Uplifting AAPI Stories: Partake, Sanzo, and Rip Van
Every brand that gives back starts with a story, and what makes this month’s spotlight so special is how Partake, Sanzo, and Rip Van each reflect the multicultural, founder-driven spirit of New York’s food scene. These brands show how local entrepreneurship can become a platform for representation, inclusion, and community care.
Partake Cookies’ story begins with founder Denise Woodard, a Black and Korean American entrepreneur who built the brand after her daughter’s life-threatening food allergies left her feeling excluded from everyday snack moments.
What started as a deeply personal mission quickly grew into a larger one centered on inclusivity for all. That commitment naturally extends into AAPI advocacy, with Partake donating 10% of proceeds to AAPI Women Lead and using its platform to spotlight more than 100 Asian-owned brands and organizations during moments when community support mattered most.
Sanzo’s origin story feels equally rooted in New York. Founded by Queens-born Filipino American Sandro Roco, the brand was born from his desire to see beloved Asian flavors represented in the modern beverage aisle. From lychee to calamansi, Sanzo became one of the first sparkling water brands to proudly center Asian fruits and culture in a way that felt both authentic and accessible.
What makes their mission especially meaningful during AAPI Heritage Month is how intentionally the brand serves as a bridge across cultures, creating visibility for Asian flavors while celebrating the wider influence of AAPI identity in American food culture.
Rip Van adds another layer to this local story. Founded in Brooklyn by Rip Pruisken and Marco De Leon, the brand started as a dorm-room idea inspired by Dutch stroopwafels and reimagined for modern snacking.
What makes it especially fitting is how it represents the globally inspired food culture that defines New York: founders bringing heritage flavors, cross-cultural ideas, and healthier innovation into everyday American shelves.
The company has also been recognized within inclusive trade communities as a Hispanic- and Asian-owned partner brand, reinforcing its place within a broader ecosystem of diverse founders.
Together, these brands remind us that supporting AAPI communities can look different across every founder journey. Sometimes it’s direct donations and advocacy. Sometimes it creates visibility through flavor, storytelling, and representation. And sometimes it’s simply building companies that make multicultural food traditions feel seen, modern, and celebrated.
