Popcorn for the People

We love snacks. And if we can eat them AND help support a good cause, that’s even better. Popcorn for the People, based in East Brunswick with an online store of 11 popcorn flavors is a nonprofit that employs adults with autism to make their products and sell them at local events.

The company has a mission to give lasting employment to adults with developmental disabilities, and ensuring that every tin purchased provides at least one hour of meaningful employment to a worker. The org believes these jobs empower the special needs community through responsibility and creativity, and the individuals they hire are accustomed to overcoming challenges to be their best.

Popcorn for the People is making a real difference. According to the UN, only 35 percent of working-age people with disabilities are employed in the US, despite two thirds of them say they’d like to work but can’t find a job. All of Popcorn for the People’s profits go to Let’s Work for Good, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to giving adults with disabilities lasting, meaningful employment. They sponsor the Pop In Cafe in East Brunswick, a brick-and-mortar spot that offers Popcorn for the People’s artisanal goodies.

Popcorn for the People

Bonus? The popcorn is delicious and made with non-GMO ingredients. Kernels are infused with classic and unconventional flavors alike. Standards includes sweet and salty Kettle Corn, Chicago Baked Cheddar, which is doused in real melted cheese and double-coated Caramel. Daring snackers can savor flavors like Buffalo, a spicy number coated in the same OG seasonings as Buffalo, NY’s namesake chicken wings; Cookies ‘N Cream, a best seller packed with white chocolate and milk’s favorite cookie, and Dark Chocolate Espresso, rich with Italian espresso and Belgian chocolate.

Help support this good cause by visiting the Pop In Cafe at Brunswick Square Mall at 755 NJ-18 in East Brunswick, or by shopping the online store for single-flavor bags ($7/each) and customizable tins ($29-70; choose up to 3 flavors) of corn you can’t get anywhere else.