One World Cafe, Salt Lake City, UT
At this eatery customers are invited to barter and pay what they think the meal is worth.
One World Cafe makes up its menu daily based on what’s fresh and in season, and lets customers pay what they think the meal is worth or what they can afford. Instead of getting a bill, customers drop their money in a large wooden box, where owner Denise Cerreta has taped a sign with her goal to serve all organic food, to eliminate world hunger and wasted food, to feed all members of the community, and to trust people to be honest. If people can’t pay for their meal, they can work for it. Some of the food is organically grown in a donated garden plot.
Our philosophy is that everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves the chance to eat healthy, organic food while being treated with dignity.
~ Brad Birky
Based on her success, Cerreta is setting up a nonprofit foundation with a goal to put a similar eatery in other cities.
Supposedly we’re the only ones in the country doing something like this, and my hope is it will catch on. Part of the reason I’m on the planet is to eliminate world hunger.
It’s an exchange, a hand-up. A hand-out is not what I’m about.
One World Cafe, 41 S. 300 East
Hours: daily, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Prices: Fair value: diners pay what they feel is appropriate;
There are no menus. Denise Cerreta and crew fix something different everyday, including vegetarian and vegan offerings, then serve up only what you want, and in the portions you request. As you leave, pay what you feel your meal was worth — or a little more to help make sure everyone can eat.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:02pm
i’ve been toying with this idea for a few years now…i’m happy someone else is sending up a test balloon.