- An Atlanta-based Ikea faced complaints about its Juneteenth menu, CBS46 reported.
- The menu included items like fried chicken, watermelon, and collard greens.
- Employees said it was racially insensitive and management needed to be educated on Black culture.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
Full Answer
Was IKEA’s Juneteenth menu insensitive?
A menu that the manager of an Ikea store in Atlanta says was meant to honor Juneteenth instead angered Black employees who called it insensitive. Many didn't show up for work on Saturday – Juneteenth – and some even thought about quitting.
Does IKEA Atlanta celebrate Juneteenth?
“In addition to offering Juneteenth as one of our paid holidays nationally, our IKEA Atlanta store has recognized Juneteenth with our co-workers for the past four years. To honor the day, a lunch menu was created with the best of intentions, including recommendations from black co-workers,” a spokesperson said.
What's going on with IKEA's'lunch menu'?
An Ikea spokesperson sent The Post a lengthy statement on Tuesday, noting that employees are coming back to work, the “lunch menu was created with the best of intentions” and cultural dialogue will be ongoing.
Should watermelon be on the Juneteenth menu?
“You cannot say serving watermelon on Juneteenth is a soul food menu when you don’t even know the history. They used to feed slaves watermelon,” an anonymous employee told Atlanta’s CBS 46. “It caused a lot of people to be upset.
Did Ikea serve fried chicken Juneteenth?
An Ikea store in Atlanta created a menu to celebrate Juneteenth that included fried chicken, watermelon, macaroni and cheese and collard greens.
How do you celebrate Juneteenth with food?
Well first, since it's a warm weather celebration, Juneteenth food traditions often include cookout fare like barbecued meats, potato salad and fruity or frozen desserts. You'll also see lots of traditional soul food dishes like fried chicken, cornbread and collard greens.
What foods are eaten on Juneteenth?
Common red foods seen at Juneteenth celebrations include red soda or lemonade, red velvet cake, and watermelon. (Plus barbecue and great sides.) History offers several explanations why Juneteenth food is often red.
What is a good Juneteenth menu?
Juneteenth menu red food ideas & what you can bring to a Juneteenth partyRed velvet cake.Pork jowl bacon.Tomato watermelon salad.Tomato Southern pasta salad.Watermelon red soda.Watermelon Dole Whip.Red cabbage coleslaw.Cranberry sauce.More items...
What is on the Juneteenth menu?
The branch emailed staffers on Friday about a Juneteenth menu that would be served at an internal celebration to "honor and persevere Black Americans," CBS46 reported. The menu included fried chicken, watermelon, mac and cheese, collard greens, and other dishes, according to CBS46.
How many employees did Ikea have called out?
People actually wanted to quit, people weren't coming back to work," the Ikea employee added. An Ikea representative told Insider that around 20 employees called out from work over the menu, prompting an internal email response from the store manager on Juneteenth.
Did Ikea have black employees?
Ikea also addressed accusations that no people of color or Black employees were involved in creating the menu. "There were Black co-workers involved in the creation of the menu," the company told Insider.
How do people celebrate Juneteenth?
Traditionally, people celebrate Juneteenth by having a cookout and serving classic cookout foods like BBQ. Often Juneteenth is also celebrated by serving soul food-type dishes . If you’re looking for a soul food Juneteenth menu then keep reading! But whatever menu you decide to use, don’t forget the red soda!!
Why is red soda consumed on Juneteenth?
But whatever menu you decide to use, don’t forget the red soda!! Red soda (often strawberry) is consumed on Juneteenth because it was a luxury that slaves were not allowed to have. Once the slaves of Texas were freed they celebrated by drinking red soda! Can you imagine how that must have felt!
Is there a Juneteenth without red soda?
Homemade Strawberry Soda Water. Of course, no Juneteenth menu is complete without red Strawberry Soda! I love this soda recipe because it uses nothing but fresh strawberries for its strawberry flavor and color! It’s so simple and refreshing, perfect for kids to create.
