Panda Express Settlement Sends Funding to FIND Food Bank in the Coachella Valley

Good evening. Thank you for joining us. We have an update to a story we first reported Wednesday involving Panda Express. The fast-food chain was ordered to pay more than $1 million in a settlement after allegedly failing to train employees on the safe handling of carbon dioxide used in soda dispensing systems.

Tonight, we have learned that more than $25,000 of that settlement is earmarked for FIND Food Bank, which serves families and individuals facing food insecurity across the Coachella Valley. The funds are part of a case brought by Riverside County and more than 30 other counties statewide. Riverside County alone is set to receive nearly $274,000 from the agreement.

There are 10 Panda Express locations in the Coachella Valley, stretching from Palm Springs to Coachella. While FIND Food Bank is listed among local beneficiaries, the organization says it has not yet been officially notified. In a statement, FIND writes in part:

“FIND Regional Food Bank is always grateful when new resources become available to support our mission, particularly during the holiday season. FIND was not aware of a lawsuit or the reported settlement, and we have not received any official notice indicating that FIND will be a beneficiary.”

The settlement also requires Panda Express to improve staff training and safety compliance statewide. We will continue to follow this developing story and update you as more information becomes available.

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