Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory Donates 50,000 Cookies to Frontliners Fighting COVID-19

Located in San Francisco, the historic establishment has been up and running since 1962 and has become a popular tourist attraction. Several weeks ago, the factory had sped up production in preparation for a wave of tourists during Spring Break. But due to the mandatory shelter-in-place, the factory was left with over 50,000 extra fortune cookies.

Kevin Chan, the owner of the fortune cookie factory, donated all of the fresh cookies to those courageously fighting on the front lines against the virus in the San Mateo and Alameda counties.

“People need a good luck fortune right now,” Chan told ABC7, adding that “throughout the years, we have never faced this kind of tough situation. Even 9/11 was not this tough. This is worse than World War III. In war, at least you know what might happen. But the virus is everywhere.”

Fortune cookies were also sent to hospital staff at the UCSF Oakland Benioff Children’s Hospital, according to KRON4. Boxes of cookies were received by the Alameda, San Francisco and San Mateo sheriff’s departments. Next week, more cookies will be sent to the Cameron House in San Francisco for the people in their battered women and domestic violence program.

The company posted to Instagram on Tuesday, with images of their good dead and a caption that read, “We try to do our part best we can. Because they are doing their part to protect the community. And our cookies, have been a staple of good fortune to come for over half a century.”

Like many other Chinatown businesses, Chan is struggling to plan his next steps for the company. He told ABC7 that he anticipates closing up shop until some sense of normalcy is restored.

Feature Images via @goldengatefortunecookies