# Charitable Instant Rice-Branded Initiatives Ben's Original Launched the Seat at the Table Fund By Elena Rahman | Published 2021-12-01 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seat-at-the-table References: [newswire](https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ben-s-original-tm-products-now-widely-available-across-canada-848918074.html) & [bensoriginal](https://www.bensoriginal.com/)  [Ben's Original](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ready-meal) launched its new packaging in Canada in tandem with its Seat at the Table Fund. The brand's latest charitable initiative aims to create equal opportunities for people in under-represented and equity-deserving communities in Canada. The Seat at the Table Fund helps students pursue careers in the food industry. To promote education in Canada, the brand is set to launch its scholarship program nationally in 2022. The aim is to help advance diversity and representation in the country's culinary landscape. Four of the top culinary programs across Canada have partnered with Ben's Original to provide $200,000 of funding over two years to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color. Participating institutions include the [Vancouver Community College](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seattle-kraken), Humber College, [Centennial College](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/largescale-digital-signage), and Institut de tourism et d'hotellerie du Québec. Image Credit: Ben's Original ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.8/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Equity-deserving Communities Empowerment:** Creating equal opportunities for people in under-represented and equity-deserving communities by launching charitable initiatives that promote education and career advancement opportunities. - **Food Industry Diversity & Inclusion:** Promoting diversity and representation in the culinary industry through scholarship programs and partnerships with top culinary programs across the country. - **Corporate Social Responsibility:** Embracing corporate social responsibility by launching charitable initiatives that support community development and education, while also driving business growth. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food & Beverage Industry:** Partnering with culinary programs to create a diverse and inclusive industry that empowers equity-deserving communities through scholarship programs and funding opportunities. - **Education Industry:** Collaborating with corporations to promote equitable access to educational opportunities through scholarship programs and educational initiatives. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Consulting Industry:** Supporting companies in their efforts to embrace corporate social responsibility by designing and implementing charitable initiatives that drive community development and education while also driving business growth. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Convenient Meal Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keep-it-original.md) - [Convenience-Focused Meal Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/singleserve-rice-cup.md) - [Streetstyle Rice Entrées](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bens-original-street-food.md) - [Heat-and-Eat Pouched Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bens-original-favourites-and-lunch-bowls.md) - [BIPOC Culinary Grants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-opportunity-fund.md) - [High-Fiber Protein-Rich Rices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bens-original-10-medley.md) - [Street Food-Inspired Rice Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/street-food-rice-dishes.md) - [Purpose-Driven Menu Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-kelly-and-the-hungry-gradey.md) - [Microwaveable Plant-Based Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bens-original-plant-powered.md)