For a family in Chelsea - there aren't many places to enjoy a healthy meal outside the home that feel genuinely welcoming and where kids and parents can meet community friends.
If you are a single person or a couple, there's no chance of grabbing a spontaneous bite with neighbors (outside of a bar).
And if you are an elderly person, what are your affordable options for breaking bread and loneliness?
And where is it possible that these types might meet and speak to each other, or that neighbors in the low, middle income and high end housing that constitutes the special mix of Chelsea today might actually hang out?
A locally based community cafeteria serves the compelling duel purposes of offering healthy and reasonable cooked meals and strengthening bonds of community in this highly diverse area. Such a space immeasurably improves the quality of life for many individuals and families and yields tremendous positive effects in building trust that resonates far beyond mealtime.
Today in Chelsea, we are seeing increasingly rapid economic changes and a dearth of truly diverse shared public space. The development mirrors that in other parts of New York and in many urban spaces across America, making Chelsea a great test case for an idea that might have the potential to be scaled.
Eating is naturally social and we spend a decent portion of the day doing it. Eating together saves time and money and is an ideal way to get to know neighbors. It is also an activity that has the potential to cross boundaries - whether they be ethnic, socio-economic, religious or age-related. Yet today, there is no option that facilitates different people coming together over food.
The Chelsea Community Cafeteria is an attractive, welcoming pop-up eating space with shared communal tables and counters, a space for children to play, and a few reasonable selections of wholesome food.
The home is Pushcart Coffee on 25th Street and 9th Avenue, which hosts monthly pop-up dinners. Menus are advertised in advance, people have to reserve limited spaces, and cost is approximately $8/person - covering the actual costs. Waste is kept to a minimum and diners bus their trays, cafeteria style.
A small group of organizers representing different key neighborhood demographics are recruiting a diverse crowd.
Every effort is be made -including design, art, games, and the service of the food itself - to create an atmosphere that is attractive and welcoming and that encourages conversation among diners.
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