At the heart of Tampa’s growing hunger relief efforts, Feeding Tampa Bay has unveiled a new initiative that combines food assistance, community service, and dignity. The organization’s expansive new Causeway Center not only enhances food storage but also offers vital services, including financial aid, a no-cost grocery store, and a newly launched bistro.
The Bistro at Feeding Tampa Bay, open on Mondays and Wednesdays, welcomes anyone in need of a meal. Guests can choose from a rotating menu of healthy and comforting dishes, making it more than just a food assistance program—it’s a place where the community comes together over a meal.
A Bistro With a Purpose
“The Bistro at Feeding Tampa Bay is a blessing to the community,” said Jimmie Wright, who recently enjoyed a turkey sandwich at the café. This unique initiative operates under the guidance of executive chef Daniel Graves, offering a seasonal menu featuring fresh and nutritious options.
Diners can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads, including the crowd-favorite Cuban sandwich, a hearty meal filled with mojo pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles. According to Graves, the Cuban sandwich is by far the most popular choice, outpacing other orders ten to one.
Pay What You Can – A Revolutionary Dining Model
Unlike Feeding Tampa Bay’s Trinity Cafes, which provide meals with no menu choice, The Bistro offers a selection of dishes. Visitors simply sign in via a tablet and are encouraged to pay what they can, or even pay it forward to help another guest. During a recent visit, the lunches were entirely free as the system is still being fine-tuned.
Local resident Brenda Green, a weekly visitor to The Bistro, believes this model provides an opportunity for those struggling financially to enjoy a quality meal. “I’m spreading the word,” she said. “For people who can’t afford to go out to lunch, this is a real treat.”
Expanding to Meet the Community’s Needs
Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz envisions an even greater future for The Bistro. The long-term plan is to extend hours and offer meals during the evening, catering to workers who cannot visit during daytime hours.
The bistro’s menu focuses on healthy comfort food, using low-fat cheeses and whole grain breads. More than just a place to eat, it fosters a welcoming atmosphere where everyone—families, retirees, and workers—can enjoy a nutritious, homemade meal.
More Than Just a Meal: Comprehensive Support Services
Beyond the bistro, Feeding Tampa Bay’s new Causeway Center offers a full spectrum of services aimed at fighting food insecurity and financial hardship. The 215,000-square-foot facility provides resources such as:
- Job training programs to help individuals build new careers.
- Educational courses on financial literacy and employment readiness.
- Healthcare services to assist those in need of medical support.
- A no-cost grocery store, where families can shop for fresh produce, dairy products, and even pet food.
Mantz believes that giving people the ability to shop for their food in a dignified, supermarket-style setting promotes self-sufficiency and empowerment.
Empowering Through Nutrition Education
As part of the effort to promote healthy eating, nutrition education coordinator Casilda Torres recently held a cooking demonstration, showcasing a mac and cheese with broccoli dish made with whole-grain pasta and low-fat cheeses. Shoppers also had access to recipe cards and nutritional guides, encouraging them to make healthier food choices at home.
“It felt great when a client told me she tried my sauce recipe,” Torres said, emphasizing the importance of making healthy meals simple and accessible. Informational displays with tips on using fresh vegetables like squash, green beans, and cabbage were also available to shoppers.
A Sustainable Future for Hunger Relief
To enhance its impact, Feeding Tampa Bay has partnered with organizations like Metropolitan Ministries to provide expanded social services. Mantz explained that the previous facility was too small to store fresh food efficiently, leading to significant food waste. The new center now allows the nonprofit to store and distribute more fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing waste while increasing community access.
“We could have just built a food bank, but we knew there was more to do,” Mantz said. “This is a whole different approach to community well-being.”
Visit The Bistro and Support the Cause
If you’re in Tampa and want to experience a meal with a mission, visit The Bistro at Feeding Tampa Bay:
📍 Location: 3624 Causeway Blvd., Tampa
🕒 Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
💰 Cost: Pay-what-you-can or pay it forward.
To volunteer or donate, visit Feeding Tampa Bay.
What if your next meal could help someone in need? At The Bistro at Feeding Tampa Bay, every meal has a purpose—whether you enjoy a delicious Cuban sandwich or choose to pay it forward. Would you dine here and be part of the movement?
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