Pay-what-you-can community restaurant will soon open in Arlington

Arlington, Texas - Unwavering in their mission to combat food insecurity, the non-profit organization, Taste Project, has established a distinctive presence in the city of Fort Worth.

Their unique creation is a community-oriented pay-what-you-can restaurant nestled on South Main Street, in close proximity to JPS Hospital. Since its establishment in 2017, it has served as a beacon of hope for those struggling with food access.

From the onset, the Taste Project has stayed true to its essential mission, serving over 150,000 individuals through their flexible payment initiative. No contribution is too small, and customers are urged to donate within their means.

According to Jeff Williams, the organization's Executive Director, in a recent interview with CBS News Texas, the demand for their services is increasing. They are now serving over a thousand individuals per week, thus leading to their expansion into Arlington. A new branch is planned to open on Cooper Street, conveniently located near downtown and the UT Arlington campus.

Williams, drawing from his personal experiences with food insecurity, emphasizes that many households dealing with this issue are not just those living in extreme poverty.

“I think a big misconception for people is who is food insecure. I think everybody thinks its limited to homeless or severe poverty but it’s really not,” he said.

Indeed, as Williams highlights, about 13% of Tarrant County's population, where Fort Worth resides, struggle with food insecurity. The 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan for Arlington echoes these findings, indicating that individuals and families with low-to-moderate income often face hurdles like lack of transportation and limited affordable, healthy food options.

Given these circumstances, Williams underscores the urgent necessity of their services in Arlington, the second-largest city in Tarrant County. Researching the city's demographics, the team uncovered the alarming existence of food deserts, areas where affordable, healthy food is scarce.

“Arlington is the second largest city in Tarrant County, and it’s larger than most other county seats,” Williams said. “We started looking at the demographics … and found out Arlington had food deserts. There was a need population, there was a similar demographic area to where we are located in Fort Worth.”

To support their expansion, Taste Project has partnered with the City of Arlington, which has offered a ten-year lease on a city-owned building, according to Dallas Metro News. Mirroring their Fort Worth establishment, the new restaurant will offer a menu without set prices, fostering a non-judgmental atmosphere. The staff, primarily volunteers who forgo tips, contribute to this welcoming environment.

The Taste Project's initiatives, however, go beyond providing meals. They offer cooking classes, job training programs, and manage a thriving garden, where they not only grow food, but also teach gardening skills to interested community members.

One regular visitor, Clayton Ketcherside, commends the project for its positive impact on his life over the past two years, thanks to its hospitable environment and altruistic community spirit.

With the ongoing support of the community and generous contributions, the Taste Project continues to flourish. For additional information or to support their cause, visit tasteproject.org.