Join The Philadephia Citizen and the Free Library of Philadelphia for a conversation that explores the restaurant industry’s role as agents of social change. From sustainable sourcing and food access to fair wage practices and immigration, chefs and food industry executives are increasingly using their restaurants as laboratories for innovative business practices, community building and social impact.
As part of the Citizen Speaks series, Restaurant and Social Impact features a panel of successful restaurateurs who are leading the effort to re-imagine their dining rooms as places that not only serve good food, but do good for the communities within and around them. The program will include a panel discussion among three dynamic, innovative, and well-known food industry leaders, each using their restaurants to foster social change:
● Marc Vetri - Philadelphia culinary icon, leading the Vetri Community Partnership
● Jose Garces - Iron Chef, restaurateur, and founder of the Garces Foundation
● Valerie Erwin - Food justice advocate and General Manager of Eat Café
● Matthew Weingarten - Culinary Director at New York's Dig Inn, and sustainable food advocate
● Moderator : Jane Black - Acclaimed national food writer
This event is part of The Citizen’s in-person programming that delves deeply into real solutions that make our communities better. It provides an opportunity to learn how other Philadelphians are working to solve Philadelphia’s problems—and also to learn ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact in your community
The Citizen Speaks series is made possible by Series Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal, Dilworth Paxson LLP and FS Investments, and Major Sponsor Campus Apartments. Restaurants and Social Impact is hosted in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia, ShopRite and WURD Radio.