Organic restaurant company 'Lentil As Anything' was founded by Shanaka Fernando, who did a TEDx Melbourne talk in October of 2012, in 2000. Currently, the social business has three locations in Abbotsford, St. Kilda and Footscray in Australia. The idea stems from a belief in generosity and mutual respect. Customers pay what they wish for their meals and services. "Our unique financial model functions independent of any government funding and we rely on your generosity in order to pay our rent, utilities, wages and stock," writes the company on its website.
Some past menu items have included chick pea and broccolini salad, pumpkin tahini dip, Moroccan hot pot, mushroom lasagna, chilled coconut mango sago, vegetable tagine, tabbouleh and rice salad.
Contact Information
'Lentil As Anything' website
Lentil As Anything on Facebook
Lentil As Anything on Twitter
Sliding-Scale Organic Restaurants
Pay What You Want at 'Lentil As Anything' Locations in Melbourne
Trend Themes
1. Sliding-scale Restaurants - Opportunity for restaurants to implement a pay-what-you-wish model to encourage customer generosity and mutual respect.
2. Social Enterprise Dining - Dining establishments that prioritize social good and community welfare, creating a wider positive impact.
3. Organic Cuisine - The growing demand for organic food and focus on health and sustainability provides an opportunity for restaurants to prioritize organic ingredients.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - An industry that can adapt to the sliding-scale model of dining to cater to consumer preference and promote social welfare.
2. Social Entrepreneurship - The growing trend for social enterprises to prioritize social impact alongside financial success can lead to more establishments prioritizing community welfare.
3. Sustainability - The increasing concern for sustainability and health can encourage the growth of organic restaurants using eco-friendly practices and organic ingredients.