# Poverty-Fighting Restaurants The EAT Cafe in Philadelphia Offers a Pay-What-You-Can Policy By Ell Smith | Published 2017-05-24 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eat-cafe-in-philadelphia References: [huffingtonpost](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/eat-cafe-philadelphia-hunger_us_591c4041e4b0ed14cddae7f3) & [centerforhungerfreecommunities.org](http://www.centerforhungerfreecommunities.org/our-projects/eat-cafe) The EAT Cafe in Philadelphia operates on a [pay-what-you-can](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/name-your-price-tool) basis to ensure families and individuals have a safe space to enjoy a meal, regardless of income, or ability to pay. EAT stands for "Everyone At the Table" and is a partnership among a collection of groups, including Drexel’s Center for Hunger-Free Communities, Drexel’s Center for Hospitality & Sport Management and the Vetri Community Partnership. The menu consists of a three course meal, and the suggested price per person is $15, however the restaurant relies on the generosity of those who can afford to pay a little more to supplement those who pay less, or can't afford to pay at all. The [Italian-focused menu](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eataly-caff) changes weekly and aims to provide a meaningful social experience for all, regardless of what's in customers' wallets. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pay-what-you-can Restaurants:** Creating inclusive dining experiences through flexible payment models. - **Community Dining Spaces:** Developing non-profit restaurant models to offer affordable meals and foster social ties among diverse groups. - **Healthy and Sustainable Menus:** Offering affordable, healthy and environmentally responsible eating options to low-income neighborhoods and food deserts. ### Where This Applies - **Non-profit Sector:** Developing funding models and partnerships to support non-profit restaurants as a sustainable solution to poverty and hunger. - **Food and Hospitality:** Exploring new business models and partnerships to provide inclusive dining experiences and socially responsible menus. - **Community Development:** Partnering with government agencies and community organizations to create sustainable food solutions and promote community well-being. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Affordable Chef-Made Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chefmade-meals.md) - [Budget-Friendly Menu Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/el-furniture-warehouse.md) - [Low-Cost Restaurant Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restaurant-meal-prices.md) - [Pay-What-You-Want Pizza Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pay-what-you-want-pizza-truck.md) - [Wealth Gap Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pie-society.md) - [Elevated Vegan Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/community-resto.md) - [Healthy Scratch Kitchens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everytable-series-c.md) - [Multisensorial Dining Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feeladelphia-by-philadelphia.md) - [Fundraising Meal Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fundraising-meal-promotion.md)