Social Connection through a Pay-What-You-Can Cafe Model

Abstract Background: Pay-what-you-can cafes allow everyone to dine regardless of an individual’s ability to afford a meal. Food insecurity can negatively impact socio-emotional well-being and present challenges to maintaining social connections. This study describes the relationship between food insecurity and quality of life for those individuals who dine at the community café.

Abstract Methods: This study uses a mixed-methods approach. Individuals who are either guests or culinary apprentices sign up for healthy living assessment appointments. The healthy living assessments are conducted on Mondays when the café is closed. Participants complete the USDA 10-item FSSM, Short Form 12-v2 Quality of Life by Quality Metric, and four open-response questions. Weight, height, BMI, A1C, and Blood Pressure are collected. Individualized teaching related to chronic diseases such as hypertension and pre-diabetes/diabetes is provided using infographics from the CDC, AHA, ADA, and ACLM.

Abstract Results: This study is ongoing through December 2024. Preliminary results were obtained from April 2023-May 2024 and are presented here. There was a significant positive correlation between the frequency of visits to the community cafe and Mental Quality of Life (r = .313, p = .027). Qualitative responses demonstrated that a majority of patrons felt a positive sense of community - common themes included a feeling of family, connectedness, and teamwork. Qualitative responses also demonstrated that without the community cafe, many patrons would resort to less healthy or fulfilling dining options such as fast food restaurants, not eating at all, foodbanks, or less desirable food options.

Abstract Conclusion: Even though the study is ongoing and results are preliminary, this study demonstrates that community cafés have the ability to affect an individuals’ mental health and social connectedness. The community café model offers a representation of how
nonprofits can address health inequities, such as food insecurity and social inequities simultaneously

Funding: This study was funded by the Texas Health Community Impact Grant given through Texas Health Resources.
Quality Metric approved the use of the SF-12v2 and provided the software program to analyze the data results.

Conflict of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this research.