Hackney restaurants introduce ‘solidarity tax'

A group of restaurants in London's Hackney have introduced what they are calling a solidarity tax to support food charities in the local community.

The initiative involves restaurants Ellory, the Richmond, Hackney City Farm's Frizzante and Clutch, and is being led by social enterprise Ernest.

Launching in October this year, the project will support the Spitalfields Crypt Trust and the Hackney Migrant Centre.

Alongside the traditional service charge, the solidarity tax will see restaurant owners add a few optional pennies to each bill or to a particular item or special on the menu.

The tax goes directly to the food charities in the local area. For each charity, Ernest's target is to raise costs for one year's supply of kitchen food and equipment for each charity.

Ernest is also planning a number of supper clubs, talks and foodie events run and attended by the restaurants, chefs and food charities involved.

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