The Random Cafe – Sustainable Watford has opened its doors, offering customers the opportunity to pay what they feel for their food.
Located in Garsmouth Way, Watford, the new community cafe is working towards reducing food waste by intercepting perfectly edible food that would otherwise end up in the bin.
Conservative MP for Watford, Dean Russell, took to Facebook to share his support for the cafe’s initiative.
He said: “At the Random Café, all food is eaten on a pay-as-you-feel (PAYF) basis meaning customers can offer a financial donation or can recognise the value of a meal by donate their time, energy, and skills.
“They work with local supermarkets, businesses, shops, food producers and farms to intercept perfectly edible food that would otherwise be thrown away.”
The cafe’s concept of pay what you feel is not new, but it is still a relatively rare model. The idea is that customers can choose to pay whatever they feel the food is worth, based on their experience and financial situation. This enables the cafe to be inclusive and accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their financial background.
The Random Cafe’s mission is to reduce food waste, promote sustainable living, and provide a space for the local community to come together.
The cafe is run entirely by volunteers, and any profits made are reinvested back into the business or donated to local charities.