Idea Submission GiveBackHack 2020
Source Restaurant Submitted by Anthony Granitsas
What is the problem are you solving?
Food-insecurity is a huge problem in America. Feeding America CEO, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, spoke to Yahoo Finance about food-insecurity rates being higher than during the Great Depression due to COVID-19. However, food-insecurity is not a COVID-specific issue. Looking directly at Columbus, you can drive down Broad Street and pass through a number of different socio-economic communities, essentially driving in and out of food deserts (areas where access to sustainable food options are extremely restricted). There are huge disparities in communities that experience food insecurity from those who don't, and this problem should be at the forefront of our attention. Source was created on the concept that the restaurant industry should not stop at feeding those who have the ability to pay. The problem I aim to begin to solve is providing the most basic resource to all communities: food.
How will this idea solve the problem?
Source is the beginning of a much larger solution. Through our give back model, we will donate a meal to a food-insecure community for every meal that's sold to a paying customer. Though we will make sales to paying customers in a brick-and-mortar establishment, we will provide all our give-back meals by means of a food truck. The goal is to meet people where they are; Source wants to empower people in the communities where they live, work, and grow by providing equitable resources close to home.
Once establishing our model, we will compile impact metrics and present the give-back model to other restaurants. Source will act as a consulting entity to standing for-profit restaurants who are interested in implementing our model. The vision entails leading by example; if Source can do it and still sustain operations (remain profitable), then other restaurants can too. Expanding this model will hopefully decrease the number of communities struggling with food insecurity, as well as change the restaurant industry for the better.
Is this idea brand new or has it been partially-vetted?
Partially-vetted
How you have vetted your idea and the success or difficulties you have seen thus far?
Source Restaurant is a new initiative as of this year. As founder, I'm currently working to establish working partnerships with food-centric organizations to develop a sustainable business model. The business outline is there, I'm filling in the fine details as I go to form a more solid business model. I've been chatting with local organizations and leaders to see what room there is for collaboration, searching for a food truck to begin the give-back model (no leads yet), developing a sound financial model (that still needs a lot of work), and starting to establish brand by menu design/concept creation.
A large blocker is obviously funding, but a larger challenge has been working out the fine details to ensure that Source can survive in the already challenging restaurant industry.
Why are YOU uniquely positioned to solve the problem? What other people do you need to help?
My education and experience have lead me to this initiative. Studying with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at OSU gave me the opportunity to do research on problems like food-insecurity (and poverty in general). After writing a number of policy briefs, financial plans, and program evaluations, I found myself craving tangible change.
A large portion of my working career has been spent in the restaurant industry. I have a passion for creating an experience for people, and have personally seen the difference the industry can have on customers as well as employees. I've seen strategies implemented by management that work well, but I've also seen a number of strategies fall flat and do more harm than good.
Combining these two pieces of my life brought me to the Source Restaurant idea. Source will be a community, a leader in the industry exemplifying real change beyond policy and brief writing. I have a passion for changing lives, helping others, and working as hard as I can to make people happy.
