WE DID IT! Social impact on all of our public tours!
JULY 1, 2023 UPDATE: so far this year, in dollars, we have contributed $7,850 to our social impact partners!
(Photo courtesy of The Migrant Kitchen)
We are so so so so excited to announce that we have added a social impact element to ALL OF OUR PUBLIC FOOD TOURS! Go us! But what is social impact tourism and what does this all mean?
Social impact tourism, also known as responsible tourism or sustainable tourism, aims to have a positive impact on the local community, economy, and environment. At Like A Local, we focus on creating meaningful experiences, while also promoting social responsibility and cultural sensitivity. This involves working within the community to develop tourism activities that benefit both tourists and locals. And for us, this also means partnering with local non profits or businesses that have a social impact element.
- On our Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour, we are partnering with the Lower East Side Ecology Center in Union Square at the Greenmarket. A representative from the club will speak to the group about composting. We will be making a monthly donation to the center. The Lower East Side Ecology Center was founded in 1987 as one of the first organizations to offer community-based recycling and composting programs in New York City!
- On our Williamsburg Bites Brooklyn Food Tour, we have partnered with Angel’s Cafe, a restaurant built around the idea and ability to give back. We participate in their “send-a-breakfast” program and aim to provide breakfast to 50 people every month. Learn more about the partnership here. Make a donation to the Angel’s Cafe send-a-breakfast program here.
- On our Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour, our social impact partner is The Migrant Kitchen at the TimeOut Market. They also have a meal program and we are hoping to provide over 25 meals per month to start. Learn more about The Migrant Kitchen Initiative here.
- On our Immigrant New York Food Tour: Lower East Side, Chinatown & Little Italy, we are partnering with Mille Nonne at Essex Market. Mille Nonne is a sustainable, low waste restaurant. We look forward to buying their food for our guests and introducing them to Mille Nonne’s concept and message about waste in the food industry. You can support Mille Nonne by having them cater your next event!
- On our Chelsea Market, High Line & Hudson Yards Food Tour, we partnered with Eat Offbeat Cafe. The cafe aims to not only serve delicious food but also to create job opportunities for refugees in the United States and raise awareness about the challenges they face. They specialize in authentic ethnic cuisine prepared by refugees who have resettled in the United States. The cafe’s menu features dishes from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea, Nepal, Venezuela and more. Learn more here. You can also support Eat Offbeat by booking an event at their Chelsea Market space, hire them for catering or send a gift box!
- Don’t forget about our Sustainable Harlem Tour which is a social impact tour from start to finish!
- Lastly, our new Greenwich Village Food Tour: Celebrating Culture & Diversity was also built entirely with social impact in mind. Each food stop is a small business owned by a woman or an immigrant. We are hoping to work with the future Stonewall National Monument visitor center that is slated to open in 2024.
Through the years, we have served tens of thousands of customers, proudly bringing those guests to small businesses throughout NYC and Brooklyn. We are excited to expand our reach and to be highlighting these special organizations, businesses and entrepreneurs. We encourage everyone to travel with an eye on social impact and for our colleagues to join us in holding themselves to a higher standard.
Not able to take one of our tours? You can still support but visiting our partner’s websites! We have included links above.
Major kudos to our Ops team, aka Chelsea, for all of the work that went into this project! We love all of our partners and look forward to continuing to deepen the relationships and ultimately, the impact.