Social restaurants, public restaurants: who should pay for the right to food?

A new international network dedicated to public restaurants as a tool for food policy was launched on June 9th. The International Network for Public Restaurants aims to shift the conversation around food security, challenging the common European approach that often relies on food banks, one-off distributions, or charitable associations. This initiative poses a fundamental question: if the right to food is recognized, who bears the responsibility for guaranteeing it?

The network's launch highlights a growing movement that views public restaurants not just as places to eat, but as instruments of public policy. This perspective suggests that access to nutritious food can be a right, and that governmental or institutional structures should be in place to ensure this right is met. The approach contrasts with models that place the primary burden on charities or individual donations.

In Geneva, this question has become particularly concrete, prompting a direct engagement with the issue of food access and responsibility. The initiative encourages a broader societal discussion about how to ensure everyone has access to food, moving beyond emergency aid to a more systemic and rights-based approach. The debate centers on establishing clear lines of accountability for food provision, ensuring it is a reliable and accessible aspect of public life.