our mission
Community & Accessibility for All
Being community-focused isn’t just a buzzword for us.. it’s the whole point. SLAPS is made by the community and for the community, which means making it as accessible as possible. One way we’re doing that is by finding out how to make it possible for you to purchase SLAPS with EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), also known as food stamps. From day one, I’ve been adamant that our drinks should be accessible to EBT users, because affordability and inclusion are core to our mission.
Why is this so important? Consider this: the number one item purchased with SNAP/EBT benefits in America is sugary drinks for kids in low-income families
Let that sink in.. the poorest families are often spending their food assistance on soda because, frankly, that’s what’s cheap and available. We’re out to change that dynamic. By making sure SLAPS is EBT-eligible and priced reasonably, we’re saying yes to families using their benefits for something healthier and more nourishing. Your grocery dollars (or benefits) should be able to buy a drink that supports your health, not undermines it.
We’re working to get SLAPS into corner stores, bodegas, and community markets where my neighbors and I shop every day. Expect to see SLAPS popping up at local swap meets, farmers’ markets, and school fundraisers.. essentially anywhere we can connect with the community directly. SLAPS isn’t a big corporate operation; it’s a neighborhood project. I’m literally taking feedback in real-time from friends, parents, and kids about what they love or want to see improved. That community input shapes everything we do, from tweaking our flavors to deciding the next store to approach.
And when I say community, I don’t just mean a target market – I mean friends and family. San Diego is my home. I grew up here and now I’m raising my own ideas here, so giving back is in our DNA. For example, when you buy a can of SLAPS or even a t-shirt with our logo, you’re directly supporting this grassroots effort to improve our local food options. We have no faceless corporation backing us.. it’s just us, together. SLAPS is as much yours as it is mine, and I want you to feel proud cracking open a can or sporting merch knowing you’re part of a community-driven change.