I don’t know about you, but I find that food tastes better when I dine at a restaurant that’s a social enterprise. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of satisfying your hunger and making a social contribution all on the same tab, you should see what you’re missing by paying H.A.V.E. Cafe a visit the next time you’re in Vancouver.
Established four years ago in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, H.A.V.E Cafe is a restaurant dedicated to developing the work and life skills of its students. Selection for the program is based on need, and participants enrol in an eight week culinary program that provides them with practical skills and culinary training to the prep cook level. In order to gain experience in a “live” kitchen, students prepare the food that is served at H.A.V.E. Cafe. All of the revenue earned by H.A.V.E. Cafe is reinvested into the culinary training program, so eating there not only helps the current students but also those who will benefit from the program in the future.
To find out more about H.A.V.E Cafe, check out their website at www.have-cafe.ca and follow their updates on Twitter via @havecafe.
Ps. If you have a favourite Canadian social enterprise to share with us, we’d love to hear from you in the comments section!