When you think of the importance of a restaurant, you probably think of the food it serves. However, many restaurants bring more than meals to their communities. From supporting the local economy to being social hot spots, restaurants are vital parts of their communities. Moreover, restaurants often look for ways to pay it forward.
Giving Back
Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, requires all of their franchises to donate surplus food. Every year, the chain donates more than 11 million pounds of food.
Smaller restaurants donate as well. For example, the owner of Long Island Bagel Café noticed how much food he was tossing out, and he decided to donate it instead. But he didn’t stop there. After realizing other restaurants probably had the same surplus issue, he started Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. This nonprofit is now connected with more than 100 food partners who donate whatever they have left at the end of the day. The food is distributed to food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
Some restaurants function completely as nonprofits. In Denver, Colorado, SAME Café seeks to ensure everyone has access to a quality meal. SAME is the first nonprofit restaurant in Denver, and customers decide what to pay for their meals. In exchange for a meal, SAME asks that customers give as much as they can. However, if you have no money to give, you can exchange one hour of volunteer work at the cafe for one meal. The monetary donations are donated to charities and to keep the café running. SAME further helps their community by sourcing 90 percent of their ingredients from local, organic farmers.
Sourcing Local
Many local restaurants aim to source local food. Sourcing local food is economically smart. Local food is typically less expensive than industrially-sourced food because there are no markups for transportation. Sourcing locally also supports area farmers (which boosts the local economy), and it reduces the environmental costs of transportation by emitting fewer pollutants, processing with fewer fertilizers, and spending less energy on packaging.
Plus, local food just tastes better. Vegetables and fruits are best when eaten within 24 hours of being picked, which isn’t possible when they’re being shipped across the country. When restaurants only use what’s available to them, it gives chefs an opportunity to be creative and craft unique dishes for customers to enjoy.
Social Aspects
Restaurants and drinking establishments are one of the most popular places for people to relax, enjoy good company, and celebrate special occasions. Friends meet up for coffee at cafés, blossoming romances begin at local restaurants, coworkers kick back after work at local bars, and families meet for dinner to celebrate birthdays.
Restaurants play vital roles in their communities. Besides providing delicious meals, they function as places to socialize and celebrate. Restaurants often support local fundraisers and boost the local economy. They are a key part of any thriving community.