Popcorn with Purpose, Popcorn for the People: How One Organization Is Redefining Work, Worth, and Inclusion in America

It may look like just popcorn: gourmet, crunchy, and wildly popular at events, stadiums, and online. But beneath every bag of Popcorn for the People is a mission that's encouraging the way individuals perceive autism, their employment, and the nature of meaningful work in America.

Founded in 2014 by Drs. Steven and Barbie Bier, Popcorn for the People, was born not out of a business opportunity, but a family dilemma. Their oldest son, Samuel, who is on the autism spectrum, had aged out of the school system and was struggling to find fulfilling work. Despite his enthusiasm and potential, job opportunities were either inaccessible, unaccommodating, or uninspiring.

So the Biers, with no experience in retail or manufacturing, did something bold: they started a popcorn business. "Popcorn is safe, fun, and loved by everyone," says Barbie Bier, co-founder. "But this wasn't about charity. This was about creating a real business that could create real jobs for Samuel and others like him."

What began as a humble kiosk in a New Jersey mall quickly evolved. Popcorn for the People expanded into event sales, established wholesale distribution, launched an e-commerce site, and, most recently, opened a flagship manufacturing facility in Philadelphia, thanks to an extraordinary partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation and Wawa.

That new facility, housed in a former Wawa store on 9th and South Street, was leased for $1 a year for 10 years, fully equipped with machinery funded by the Eagles Autism Foundation, and emblazoned with Eagles and Wawa branding. For the Popcorn team, it wasn't just a logistical upgrade; it was a powerful affirmation of their mission.

"Yes, our popcorn's delicious," says Leslie Long, Executive Director, "but the real impact is how it transforms the lives of people who have too often been underestimated or overlooked. Truly, it's an opportunity for leadership, contribution, and even financial independence."

"We had a young man in Philly whose mom lost her job," she shares. "But he was working here, and his income actually helped sustain the family during that time. That's a profound shift in identity. It's not just about inclusion. It's about empowerment."

Another employee became so invested in his role that he recruited his own mother, who now works part-time at events during the summer. "He taught her how to do the job. He became the expert, a proud moment for the parent," Long shares. "It's about this type of ownership and dignity that we inculcate within them." That ripple effect, where inclusion fosters contribution, and contribution builds community, has become central to the organization's ethos.

While the organization's mission centers on adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, its true success is due to its operational excellence rooted in what Steven calls 'flexibility with intention.' He explains, "If you build your workplace with universal design principles of sequenced tasks, clear visual cues, and flexible scheduling, it works for everyone. You just have to be willing to meet people where they are."

Whether it's allowing breaks for sensory needs, using visual aids to support comprehension, or creating jobs tailored to individual strengths, every element of the work environment is intentionally designed for success.

That approach has paid off, not only in impact but also in profitability. Popcorn for the People now employs dozens of individuals, operates two major facilities (in Piscataway, NJ, and Philadelphia), and sells through multiple channels: wholesale, e-commerce, and live events.

Recognizing the unique blend of mission and business savvy, Inperium, Inc., a national nonprofit network of health and human services organizations, recently welcomed Popcorn for the People into its growing network of affiliates.

"This partnership was a little different for us," shares the Founding Executive Chairman and CEO of Inperium, Ryan Dewey Smith. "We typically support traditional nonprofit providers. But Popcorn for the People was doing something so innovative, so aligned with our core values, we knew we had to be part of it."

For Inperium, the partnership represents a willingness to venture outside the usual nonprofit mold and embrace entrepreneurial models that work, especially when they scale impact without compromising integrity. "We believed in their leadership, in the brand, and most importantly, in the people behind the mission," Smith says. "This was an opportunity to help grow something truly transformative."

And the collaboration is already showing signs of synergy. Discussions are underway to potentially employ individuals from other Inperium affiliates within Popcorn for the People, expanding both opportunity and community across the network.

With the overall employment rate of 32% for adults with autism, the Popcorn for the People model offers something many families and communities are still searching for: hope with a roadmap. "This isn't just a job," Long emphasizes. "It's a chance to build a life, to contribute, to feel pride in what you do. That's something everyone deserves. We need more people willing to try, more communities willing to support, and more leaders willing to think outside the box."

For Samuel Bier, who once struggled to find his place in the workforce, the journey has been nothing short of life-changing. "When we founded this organization in 2014, I had no working experience besides pushing shopping carts," he says. "Now I've met so many new interesting people, and I feel proud of the work we're doing together. Your support means the world to us."