Reward Restaurants
The food industry is one of the few that still has numerous locally-owned storefronts. As prices and cuts drive food insecurity, those small restaurants will struggle. Eating out is the first budget item most families cut.
To the extent your budget allows, shift all spending from national chains to local ones, and reward resistance-friendly storefronts.
How to do it:
Begin by reviewing the restaurants you already like. Shift whatever budget you have towards locally-owned ones. Prioritize minority-owned, or progressively minded ones. If they have a pride flag or a “no-ICE” sign or a “pay-it-forward” program, tell them that’s why you stopped by. If you are reducing your eating-out budget, here are additional ways to support small restaurants during difficult times:
- leave positive reviews
- give gift certificates this holiday season
- if they specialize in holiday foods (e.g. bakeries) consider gifting early (a good option if you usually ship a basket.)
- treat a friend on a hard day. This can be as simple as “I know it’s a busy week — could I have dinner delivered?” Or take them out for a slice of cake, just because.
- publicize efforts to give back. Find the local restaurants that have a pay-it-forward, free food, or donation-based model and eat there. If it’s good, tell everyone!
- approach your favorite restaurant and ask if they’d consider implementing a similar program. Offer to help figure out the logistics.
