Celebrate AAPI Heritage
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander individuals and communities in the United States. Asian/Pacific is a broad term. It encompases people from the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia), and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
On May 7th, 1843 Manjiro, a 14-year old fisherman, arrived in the United States via whaling ship. He is considered the first Japanese immigrant to come to the United States. May 10th, 1869 marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was built largely by Chinese immigrants in very poor conditions. For these reasons, Congress chose May to celebrate AAPI heritage.
In this blog, you can find information on ways to support and celebrate the AAPI community. In addition to the virtual and non-virtual celebrations below, you can also celebrate AAPI heritage with books for kids and adults and movies – sharing with your family is encouraged!

Stop AAPI Hate
Between March 2020 and March 2021 there were 6,603 anti-Asian racist incidents, mostly against women, reported in the United States. Although we saw an increase in AAPI hate during the first year of the pandemic, discrimination against the AAPI community isn’t new or isolated; rather, it has deep roots in systemic racism and white supremacy. Xenophobia and widespread disinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic have led to an increase in racist incidents, including violence, against the AAPI community. The Davis Food Co-op condemns attacks against Asian/Pacific Americans and stands in solidarity with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community members.
Support the AAPI Community
Support Asian/Pacific American folks in our community by regularly patronizing AAPI-owned restaurants, business, and by buying from AAPI artisans.

You can also support AAPI business by buying Asian/Pacific American owned brands. Here are some of the Asian/Pacific American owned brands we carry at the Co-op.
- Kimino (sparkling juices)
- Mother in Law’s (gochujang paste and sauce)
- Dang (sticky rice chips)
- Red Boat Fish Sauce
- Maya Kaimal (Indian pantry staples)
- ALO (aloe vera beverages)
- World Centric (compostable picnicware)
- Monsoon Kitchens (frozen Indian food)
- Sun Tropics (juice & mochi snacks)
- Catalina Snacks (keto cereal)
- Nutpods (non-dairy creamer)
- Happy Pho/Star Anise Foods (instant noodles)
- Mylk Labs (oatmeal cups)
- Miyoko’s (vegan butter and cheese)
- Cocokind (skincare)
- Nona Lim (bone broth sippers)
- Masala Blends (spice blends)
- Numi (tea)
AAPI Heritage Month Events
- 5/2 Virtual Korean Language and Culture Class from the Yolo County Library
- 5/4 Virtual Kids Storytime Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors from the Chinese American Museum
- 5/7 AAPI Kommunity Market in Stockton
- 5/7 AAPI Culturefest in Elk Grove
- 5/9 Virtual Korean Language and Culture Class from the Yolo County Library
- 5/12 Virtual cooking class with Chef George Chen from the Asia Society of NorCal
- 5/13 AAPI Heritage Month Night Market in Sacramento
- 5/19 Four Consuls General on Emerging Tech in Asia Talk in San Francisco
- 5/24 Virtual Kids Storytime Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors from the Chinese American Museum
- 5/26 Racial Healing Circle for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month from UC Davis
- 5/27 AAPI Heritage Night at Devil’s Canyon Brewing in San Carlos
Places To Go
- Visit Historical Locke Town, the only town in the United States built exclusively by Chinese Americans for Chinese Americans
- Explore the East Asian Collection at the Arboretum/UC Davis Public Garden
- Visit the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco or explore their Museum From Home programs
- Stop by The Viet Museum in San Jose
