The Wonderful Rise of Donation-Only Eateries

The Donation-Only Eatery Concept

The donation-only eatery concept is not a new one but 2014 did see a number of sites pop up here in the UK, with the Real Junk Food Project in particular assisting with set up of cafes in locations from Bristol to Saltaire. Adam Smith, 29, is the co-director of the project and runs a community café in Armley, Leeds. Here customers can choose to make a monetary donation in payment for their meal, or pay by other means such as working in the café allotments or trading skills. It’s a concept Adam brought back from his travels in Australia and one that is gaining momentum.

The project doesn’t specifically cater for the homeless but instead aims to break down barriers to food in a way that allows food to retain a value. Alongside the attempt to give everyone equal access to food, the café is on an extra mission to reduce food waste. The menu, which changes daily, features dishes made from donated items that have been saved from going to the landfill. Meals tend to be simple, yet filling and nutritious: stews, salads, pies and crumbles all make regular appearances.

Other donation-only eateries across the UK and beyond have different business models and focuses – from ‘freegan’ and vegan through to fine dining cafes, there are cafes and restaurants spreading from Australia to America with a smattering of sites across Europe too. Not only are they helping those in need in their local communities, they also provide travellers with tasty meals at reasonable prices, so they’re worth hunting out next time you go exploring.

Anonymous Payment Popups

Of course, it’s not just charitable projects that follow the donation-only model. Donation is frequently a payment option offered at popups and supper clubs, where guests are asked to pay what they feel the meal or experience has been worth.

Visitors are given envelopes to put their payment in, so the process remains anonymous. A host may suggest a fee, but ultimately it’s up to the diners to decide what their donation will be. Adopting this type of payment model adds to the informal feel of these events.

The ‘Pay it Forward’ Concept

Also spreading a little happiness in cafes and restaurants that follow a more traditional payment model is the ‘pay it forward’ concept. The idea is that alongside their own order, customers can choose to buy a coffee or perhaps a sandwich or snack for someone else.

Then, if a person forgets their wallet or is struggling to find money to eat that day, they can benefit from this act of kindness by requesting an item that has been paid forward. Some cafes advertise how many ‘suspended coffees’ or snacks they have available in the window of the shop or chalk them up on a board next to the counter.

It’s thought the suspended coffee is of Neapolitan origin – springing up during World War II when many Italians found themselves facing tough economic times. Here in the UK, with food poverty rising, many cafes and coffee shops have adopted the practice. The term ‘pay it forward’ comes from the film of the same name, which features a young boy trying to make the world a better place by committing good deeds.

How can you get involved?

Even celebrities are getting involved with the donation-only eatery concept - Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen recently celebrated its third anniversary. While a not-for-profit business may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are things you can do to help those in need of a cuppa without changing your business model completely.

You may want to start offering customers the option to purchase suspended coffees or snacks on a permanent basis or run a one-off event to celebrate Pay it Forward day this April 23^rd. You could select customers at random to receive freebies or host a pay it forward dining event where guests eat for free. Where possible, you might also consider donating waste food in support of schemes like the Real Junk Food Project.

Does your coffee shop offer suspended coffees or do you run your own donation-only cafe? How has it been received by customers? Share your experiences below.