Toronto broth bar apologizes after accusations of cultural appropriation

Nov 21 2020, 2:43 am

The founder of a Toronto broth bar has issued an apology following accusations of cultural appropriation.

Several Torontonians criticized Ripe Nutrition’s white owner Alexandra Baird for co-opting traditional Asian foods including bone broth and dumplings and marketing them as wellness items.

For many who took to social media to voice their concerns, Baird’s pop-up broth bar that opened just west of Trinity Bellwoods was especially egregious because it was beside The Golden Turtle Vietnamese restaurant which has been selling traditional meals using bone broth for decades.

“From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to every person who has felt belittled, overlooked, or hurt by my actions,” Baird wrote.

She added she’s stopped selling “culturally insensitive” products on her website, and adds she and her staff are in the process of organizing cultural sensitivity training.

 

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