Chicago-based Chomps, self-described as America's fastest-growing meat snack brand, has formed a national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to fund health and wellness programming and nutrition education for young people across the country — a move that reflects growing brand investment in community-tied food access initiatives.
Scope of the Partnership
The collaboration targets more than 4 million young people annually served through the organization's network of 5,500 Clubs. Beyond financial investment, Chomps will provide nutrition education resources for Club professionals and create structured volunteer opportunities for its own employees. The first volunteer event is scheduled for November 4 in Chicago, with additional engagements planned at Clubs in markets where Chomps team members are based.
"Every kid has potential, but not every kid has access to the same opportunities," said Rashid Ali, co-founder and CEO of Chomps. "Boys & Girls Clubs of America does incredible work helping close that gap by giving kids the support, confidence and skills they need to succeed."
Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, noted the alignment of the partnership with existing member priorities: "It's encouraging that 80% of Club kids say healthy eating is important to them, and we're committed to helping more kids and teens make choices that support their wellbeing and future success."
Brand Strategy and Operator Context
For food and beverage brands operating in the better-for-you snack segment, cause-related partnerships have become a meaningful differentiator — especially as retailers and foodservice buyers increasingly scrutinize a brand's community and sustainability credentials alongside product specs. The Chomps-BGCA deal fits squarely within that trend, extending brand visibility into community settings while reinforcing the company's clean-ingredient positioning.
Chomps, a minority-owned, B Corporation-certified business and member of the 1% For The Planet network, reported donating 10.3 million meat sticks in 2025 to communities in need. The brand has also earned a Non-UPF (non-ultra-processed food) verification through the Non-GMO Project — a certification that is gaining traction with health-conscious retailers and foodservice procurement teams tracking emerging food certification trends.
What It Means for the Industry
Partnerships between emerging CPG brands and large youth-serving nonprofits are becoming a recognizable playbook, particularly in the protein snack category where brands compete intensely for shelf space and consumer trust. For operators and buyers watching the better-for-you snack landscape, Chomps' sustained investment in community programming — tied directly to nutrition education — signals how brands at the growth stage are working to build long-term equity beyond retail promotions.
Details on Chomps' full impact portfolio are available at chomps.com/pages/our-impact.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
