The Popular Restaurant is a initiative that was implemented by the government of Belo Horizonte, with the objective of eliminating chronic food insecurity among citizens. “People’s Restaurants”, as they are alternatively referred to, are city-subsidized eating establishments that offer affordable, nutritious meals with produce made from local farmers.1 These restaurants are available to any residents of the city. Initiated in 1994 by the Secretaria Municipal de Abastecimento(city government), the approach has been deemed an overall success. From 1994 to 2012 the number of meals served by Popular Restruants increased by over sixteen times. The locations offer over 10,600 meals a day, amounting to over 3 million in a year. They are known for their lively atmosphere, far more remisnecent of a nightclub or pub than a soup kitchen. The expense of the initiative city’s finances is very minimal, only about 10 million USD, only 2 percent of the annual budget.2 Popular Restaurants play a role in lessening the stigma of food insecurity, allowing folks of all backgrounds to congregate and enjoy the power of food together.
1Cather, Alexina, and MPH. “Popular Restaurants, Belo Horizonte: Urban Food Policy Snapshot.” NYC Food Policy Center (Hunter College), NYC Food Policy Center, 2 Jan. 2017, www.nycfoodpolicy.org/popular-restaurants-belo-horizonte-urban-food-policy-snapshot/. Accessed 3 May 2024.
2Cather, Alexina, and MPH. “Popular Restaurants, Belo Horizonte: Urban Food Policy Snapshot.” NYC Food Policy Center (Hunter College), NYC Food Policy Center, 2 Jan. 2017, www.nycfoodpolicy.org/popular-restaurants-belo-horizonte-urban-food-policy-snapshot/. Accessed 3 May 2024.