Pay it forward at Barton’s 541 Eatery
Many times, we see food bringing people together whether it is for a celebration and generally in happy times. But the reality is that many people are facing food insecurity and we can really see this problem in Hamilton. Many people in the city probably do know about 541 Eatery & Exchange located at 541 Barton St. E. but to the many who have moved to Hamilton in the last few years, 541 Eatery might be new to them.
I connected with 541 Eatery's new executive director, Justin Eisinga and he shares how 541 originated and its goals as a non-profit organization. 541 opened nine years ago. The idea for a low-barrier cafe on Barton Street emerged from a group of folks who were engaged in outreach to sex workers in our neighbourhood.
Recognizing that Barton Street lacked an accessible space for folks to warm up or cool down and that the neighbourhood experiences significant food insecurity, this group of ordinary citizens worked towards creating what is now known as 541 Eatery & Exchange. Our goal is to build a healthy community around good food, and we do this primarily through our restaurant and our youth programs."
This is not my first visit to 541 Eatery, but one thing I really notice every time I visit is the sense of dignity as you walk into the restaurant. Everyone is treated equally. The eatery is modern and beautifully designed like any other 5-star restaurant you might walk into. If you have not been to 541 Eatery, Justin shares what you can expect.
541 Eatery & Exchange is a unique restaurant that seeks to improve access to good food. Our mission is to bring people together across differences and we use food to make this happen. We operate like any other establishment, except we have a pay-it-forward system that operates like an alternative currency so that folks who need help paying for a meal can have access to anything on our menu. We serve a variety of breakfast and lunch items, Detour coffee, and a selection of baked goods. We strive to provide gluten-free and halal items."
So, a little more about the pay-it-forward system. When you walk up to the ordering counter, you will see a little jar of buttons. Everyone can use five buttons (equivalent to $5) once per day to access some food or to grab a drink. No questions asked. You can donate online or in the restaurant to buy buttons for the community to use. According to the website 541 Eatery creates opportunities for people to help others pay for their meals by buying buttons.' Each button is worth $1, and anyone can use up to 5 buttons a day to buy whatever they would like from our menu."
One thing I really love about 541 Eatery is that the food is really good here. They really care about using fresh, local, and in-season ingredients for their meals. Food is nourishing and can make or break your day.
Justin shares, Our menu is what you'd expect at a typical diner, except our kitchen prioritizes high-quality and local ingredients. Breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese, and BLTs are our most popular items, and we also feature seasonal specials for the more adventurous types. Our coffee is roasted by Detour Coffee Roasters and our house-made iced tea and lemonade are a big hit in the summer. My favourite order is an Egg BLT on Rye with home fries and an Arnold Palmer."
When you try their food, you will know they really do put lots of love and care into every meal that comes out of the kitchen. We tried their Buffalo Chickpea Wrap, which was vegan! It was loaded with spicy chickpea smash, vegan ranch, lettuce, and tomatoes, all hugged together with a flour tortilla ($7). We also ordered their Full Breakfast which included two eggs (cooked to order to your liking), toast, home fries, and bacon ($7).
Every item on their menu is reasonably priced, nothing over $7.50. Their drink selection also includes hot or iced coffees (espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte, mocha), teas, tea lattes, and hot chocolate. They also have a tasty selection of freshly baked goods. I highly recommend their chewy chocolate chip cookies. The food was delicious, the portions were huge, and you walk out every time satisfied.
Back in February, Justin started his role as the executive director. We talked to him a little more about what his goals are and how the community can come together to help.
Justin tells us, As the new executive director at 541, my short-term goals are to support staff and volunteers as we pivot back from our pandemic operations. In the longer term, I want to see 541 become a community and food hub in Barton Village.
Leveraging the great space we have created, we are hoping to provide more programming for youth and young adults, including cooking classes, art therapy, and board-game nights. Our space is also a fantastic space for art and creativity - we are dreaming of more opportunities to organize live music, theatre, and art shows in the space."
Food insecurity is a huge problem that we are witnessing every single day. Each week I share restaurants that you should try for those that are privileged enough to go. We cannot forget our neighbours, friends, and community members that need a little help from us. Whether you are a regular at 541 Eatery, or this is the first time you are reading about them, I strongly urge you to give them a try the next time you are looking to support a great cause and a great meal.
541 Eatery is located at 541 Barton St. E. They are open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed Sundays and Mondays). You can read more about them on their website here: https://www.fivefortyone.ca/ and give them a follow on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/541barton/. If you like to donate to their pay-it-forward button program, you can do so here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/63109?v2=true
Joyce Leung is a food writer and blogger who lives in Hamilton. Find her teaching Asian cooking classes around the city when she is not dining out and trying all the delicious restaurants of Hamilton. Joyce will not write about any organizations she has a separate business relationship with. You can reach her at joyce@joyceofcooking.com