Operations

Shake Shack testing 'environmentally friendly' cooking oil

provided

September 18, 2023

In an effort to reduce their environmental footprints, two Shake Shack restaurants in New York will replace its soybean oil with oil from Zero Acre Farms, a company providing more environmentally friendly cooking oil. The tests at the Hudson Yards and Battery Park City Shacks are among the first deployments of Zero Acre oil in the foodservice sector and are part of Shake Shack's ongoing commitment to "Stand for Something Good" across its operations and in the community. Menu items using Zero Acre oil include Crinkle Cut Fries, 'Shroom Burger, Shack Stack, Veggie Shack, Chicken Shack, Chicken Bites and limited-time Hot Menu items.

"Like many food businesses, our menu items depend on the natural environment so we can continue serving guests the food they love," Jeffrey Amoscato, SVP of Supply Chain and Menu Innovation at Shake Shack, said in a company press release. "It's why we are continuously exploring new ways to reduce our environmental footprint, including partnerships with companies like Zero Acre who are creating sustainable food solutions. We remain committed to exploring initiatives that help us become a more sustainable business including the reduction of waste across operations, and collaborating with farmers, and suppliers on a regular basis."

Zero Acre oil is made from rain-fed sugarcane plants, the world's highest yielding crop, which results in a neutral and versatile cooking oil that performs well in high heat and allows the flavor of ingredients to shine, according to the release. Zero Acre oil is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which is more stable for frying than the polyunsaturated fats found in most vegetable oils. This pilot is one of the many actions Shake Shack is taking as part of its annual release of its, "Stand For Something Good Summary."

As the second ingredient in most fried foods and the third-most consumed food in the world, vegetable oils now account for 20% of American calories, and replacing them with healthier, more environmentally friendly options could have a significant positive impact on human and planetary health, according to the release.

Shake Shack's pilot with Zero Acre oil kicks off during Climate Week NYC, the largest annual climate event of its kind in the U.S., and Shake Shack is the first in the city to offer menu items made with Zero Acre oil.