Shake Shack Is Testing An Environmentally Friendly Cooking Oil Made From Sugarcane

Shake Shack’s fan-favorite Crinkle Cut Fries, ‘Shroom Burger, Shack Stack, Veggie Shack, Chicken Shack, Chicken Bites are all getting a little cooking upgrade with a better way to fry food.

Starting now, Shake Shack is testing a new environmentally friendly cooking oil made from sugarcane instead of soybean oil, exclusively in New York City at the Hudson Yards and Battery Park City locations.

In partnership with Zero Acre Farms, a food company focused on delicious, healthy and environmentally friendly cooking oil, the change is part of Shake Shack’s ongoing commitment to Stand for Something Good across its operations and in the community.

Zero Acre oil is made from rain-fed sugarcane plants, the world’s highest yielding crop, which results in a neutral and versatile cooking oil that performs well in high heat. 

“Like many food businesses, our menu items depend on the natural environment so we can continue serving guests the food they love,” said Jeffrey Amoscato, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Menu Innovation at Shake Shack. “It’s why we are continuously exploring new ways to reduce our environmental footprint, including partnerships with companies like Zero Acre who are creating sustainable food solutions.”

While some may not notice a change, Zero Acre Farms claims 93% of its oil is made of monounsaturated fat, which exceeds that of olive oil, and 4% of saturated fat and 3% of polyunsaturated fat.

We will just have to put New Yorkers to the test to see if this makes the iconic fries at Shake Shack healthier and more sustainable.