Plantega is changing New York City’s food system for the better, one bodega at a time. The company’s mission is big: to make plant-based food—which is healthier for both people and the planet—more accessible to all. But Plantega’s strategy for making change is uniquely focused.

It partners with bodegas across the city to provide these independent neighborhood-based convenience stores with plant-based deli menu items and ingredients, along with staff training and marketing support. The goal is to bring healthy, planet-friendly alternatives to customer favorites like bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches, and wraps and burritos.

There are plenty of companies in the sustainable food space. But few are so clearly grounded in local communities and one city’s food ecosystem.

Plantega’s operating and partnership structure is designed to not only democratize access to healthier (but still affordable) foods. It also strengthens neighborhood economies by empowering bodegas to offer new products and attract diverse customers. By simultaneously supporting local businesses and making it easier for consumers to avoid greenhouse gas-intensive foods (such as beef), Plantega’s biggest stakeholders are clear: local business owners and the global environment.

By creating a network that connects plant-based food producers, neighborhood-based bodegas and consumers, Plantega exemplifies systems thinking. The brand addresses big problems—climate change and unhealthy food systems—by emphasizing relationships. Its model fosters mutual benefits among multiple stakeholders. 

For example, by fulfilling orders through its distributor, the business makes it easier for both small plant-based product producers to reach new customers and bodega operators to offer new menu options. With a clear purpose, and an innovative business model grounded in a local economy and food ecosystem, Plantega is helping to build a more sustainable and inclusive food system. ​