Universal Pay as you feel at Lentil as Anything - a business model against hunger in Australia?
17:47 |
| Say YES to advocate for the disadvantaged! |
Have you ever been in a restaurant where you pay what you want? Why would people open up a restaurant like that? What is their purpose and does such a business work long-term?
Why?
Shanaka Fernando grew up in Sri Lanka, a country which was influenced by war for several decades. People identified themselves with war, they suffered, they had not enough food and seeked for it. Shanaka experienced hunger during his first twenty years - a factor which influenced him intensely. As he knows the feeling of seeking for food, he wanted to change something. He opened up Lentil as Anything - the first restaurant in St Kilda in year 2000.
“When money loses its value,
the goodwill and kindness we extend
to each other will emerge as the ultimate
and most sustainable currency of exchange.”
the goodwill and kindness we extend
to each other will emerge as the ultimate
and most sustainable currency of exchange.”
Lentil as Anything is a not for profit community organisation which provides vegetarian and vegan meals. As a customer at that restaurant you can choose between different meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner and pay what you feel the food is worth into a treasure chest.
The idea sounds debatable but it works!
The demand at Lentil is high as an avagerage of 7500 to 8000 people eat there every month. Hence, since then 5 more restaurants opened up: 4 in Melbourne and one in Sydney.
Their mission and vision is clear to us
Lentils as Anything provides a wholesome and nutritious meal where money is not a concern.
With eating at the restaurant, the customer has the opportunity to contribute towards a world with respect, generosity, trust, equality, freedom and kindness rule.
How was my own experience at Lentil as Anything?
When I entered the Lentil as Anything restaurant in St Kilda, I could feel the highly motivated vibe and the happyness of the volunteers. The restaurant was quite busy - which is good for the business. I also saw two homeless people who ate a warm meal and were warmly welcomed by the staff. Somehow I could understand why everyone was happy here: People helped other people with disadvantages by providing their time and motivation to work as a volunteer in the restaurant.
When I entered the Lentil as Anything restaurant in St Kilda, I could feel the highly motivated vibe and the happyness of the volunteers. The restaurant was quite busy - which is good for the business. I also saw two homeless people who ate a warm meal and were warmly welcomed by the staff. Somehow I could understand why everyone was happy here: People helped other people with disadvantages by providing their time and motivation to work as a volunteer in the restaurant.
When the homeless people left the restaurant, I recognized their smile - they had a warm and healthy meal today and could pay what they could afford.
Its limitations
With its Pay what you want business model, the restaurants rely on a specific amount of customers who pays just enough to pay wages, rents etc. The case in Preston shows that not every restaurant is successful: The Lentil as Anything restaurant in Preston has to close due to few customers and less sales during the winter term (Read here). So there is a need for the restaurant to be on the right location with inhabitants with a specific amount of wages and an area with a specific buying power.
With Foodshare with its Buy One Give One business model, there is a high potential of a long-term impact on reducing hunger in Australia. If more restaurants partner with Foodshare and people are willing to buy a Foodshare menu item, we can have a great impact on reducing hunger in Australia. We have the ability to grow as a Foodshare community in order to fight against hunger.
The following TEDx Talk is about Shanaka's touching story behind Lentil as Anything:
Do you want to support Lentil as Anything? Click here for more information:
Lentils as Anything website: http://lentilasanything.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lentilasanything/
Donate here: http://lentilasanything.com/donate/
Read his interview here: http://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/the-lentil-messiah-or-just-a-very-naughty-boy-20130105-2ca4i
Please also like our Foodshare Facebook Page HERE!
Photos taken by Ngoc An Cao
4 comments
Thanks for this article Anni. I first ate at Lentil as Anything in Abbotsford 10 years ago, shortly after I relocated to Melbourne from Sydney. I was blown away by the experience, mainly because (at that time) I couldn't imagine anything like it being successful in Sydney. I remember loving the food (I love lentils) and paying more than I probably would have for an equivalent meal in another restaurant because I felt such a venture should be supported. I also felt that I could easily afford to subsidise the less fortunate people eating around me and was more than happy to do so knowing that they were enjoying a good meal. As well as providing great food for everyone who enters, I love the way Lentil as Anything breaks down barriers between different stratas of society. We all sit and eat together, regardless of income or social status. The Lentil As Anything restaurants I have visited in the north of Melbourne are probably more frequented by professionals with a good income than those less fortunate so it appeals to all. Their success suggests to me that there are plenty of Australians prepared to put in a bit extra to ensure no one goes hungry which bodes well for the future success of FoodShare. All the best with your venture.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Melissa
Hi Melissa! You´re totally right. My first experience there was very surprising. I really liked the treasure where you put money in. No one can see how much you pay and no one can charge you with the 'too low' amount of money you put in because you're income might be not high or you can not afford more. When I saw the two homeless people inside, I really felt happy. I knew they couldn't afford any of these good quality meals anywhere in Melbourne. The way they were treated equally like everyone else in the restaurant, was a good feeling for everyone - especially for them. We all are equal - we all have to have an everyday meal. With Foodshare we are going to provide an everyday meal to everyone in Australia - or almost everyone here in Australia. The more supporters we get, the more we can provide meals to people who seek for food. With best regards, Anni
ReplyDeleteI work in many restaurants and all of them run the businesses for profit. Moreover I really like your poem that says “When money loses its value,
ReplyDeletethe goodwill and kindness we extend...", it lead me to think about difficulty in life. If someone helps us when we have problem, the are called the true friends. On the other hand, someone who only spends time with us in only happy time, we can trust them much. In addition, I like the restaurant that you recommend, it is valuable to visit.
Yeah that is true. I can recommend Lentils as Anything as it also has healthy vegetarian and high quality food and at the same time, you feel you did something good!
Delete