Meet the restaurants supporting the community

“Instead of drifting along like a leaf in a river, understand who you are and how you come across to people and what kind of an impact you have on the people around you and the community around you and the world, so that when you go out, you can feel you have made a positive difference.” – Jane Fonda, climate activist?

This month, we’ve been exploring community involvement in the hospitality sector. Restaurants and other foodservice businesses?play an important function?as valuable ‘third spaces’, facilitating social interaction and shaping local cultural identity – so operators have both an opportunity and a responsibility to have a positive impact on their local areas.?However, when you start to consider the interactions you have with your customers, staff, stakeholders and business network as well as through your supply chain, it quickly becomes clear that ‘community’ can be a complex term.?

Read on to learn more about what ‘community’ really means for a modern hospitality business and why restaurants should build community involvement into their sustainability strategies. We’re also including plenty of smart, real-world examples from some of the restaurants in our network to get you inspired!

What does a restaurant’s community really look like??

In this article, we examine what the term ‘community’ really means for a hospitality business beyond its physical locality and explore how you can find new ways to support yours. Read more.?

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7 quick questions about community with London’s KERB?

Head of Coaching at KERB+ Lisa Donohue shares her insights on why community is a vital part of the hospitality industry and how they can work together for mutual benefit. Read more.?

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Inspiring examples of F&B businesses supporting the community?

“We’re very loud on the street – our sign is bright turquoise and takes up a full block! – so it’s important for us to find ways to contribute and engage.”?

Founded in 2005, Fooditude offers healthy and sustainable workplace catering across London. We chatted to Cristina Covello MBA ,?Head of Strategic Growth at Fooditude, about how community involvement has long been a cornerstone of their business.?

‘The Fooditude team ended up serving 50,000 meals over lockdown. “We couldn't have done that if we hadn't already built up those relationships in our?community.”’?Read more.?

“We feel a sense of responsibility to support the community we serve.”?

Owner-Manager AJ Ali spoke to us about how they approach sustainability at Sheffield’s Lavang Events - The Private Diners Club restaurant, the benefits they see from their efforts and why community matters.?

“Supporting the community enhances our reputation and brand image, while building relationships with local businesses and organisations creates a supportive network.” Read more.?

Real ways restaurants are getting involved in their communities?

This article explores real-world examples from across our network of how restaurants and other F&B businesses are putting down strong community roots. Read more.?

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In case you missed it…?

Around the modern-day fire: The role of restaurants as community hubs?

We look at the important social role of restaurants and examine why community connection must play a key role in any sustainability strategy, highlighting how this can be of benefit to your local area and your business. Read more.?

9 ways your restaurant can build a strong relationship with your community?

Wondering how to put all of this into practice? Here are nine fantastic starting points. Read more.?