Gather55 and Community Kitchen are the existing and planned nonprofit restaurants of Hands on Hartford and Mark Bittman respectively. We talked with Program Manager Molly Reynolds & author Mark Bittman to learn more about how these models can shape a more equitable, sustainable food system.
The four central aims of Community Kitchen are:
- Sourcing sustainably ethically produced ingredients from local farmers
- Paying living wages and ensuring dignity of work for restaurant staff
- Sliding scale prices to accommodate diners from all income backgrounds
- Delivering a high quality culinary experience – good food
The mission of Gather55 “is to harness the power of delicious food to connect communities” and is a “three-legged stool” of “diners, doers, and donors” who sustain the program by contributing what they can, whether that is money or time, and enjoying good food and community in return.
Molly and Mark both emphasized that the restaurants can't be successful without buy-in from community members and strong partnerships with local health and food organizations.
As alternatives to our dominant food system, equity is an important factor in the restaurant models. Community Kitchen will center equity and justice by sourcing ethical sustainable ingredients, offering fair wages and good conditions for workers, and serving good food to everyone regardless of income.
Molly described the transformative experience diners and volunteers can have by donning the Gather55 apron that makes you feel, "I'm a part of this community, and I am able to give as much as I am able to receive."
To learn more about this informative conversation see the links below.
