Refettorios

Refettorio Ambrosiano was created in partnership with Caritas Ambrosiana on the occasion of the Expo2015 in Milan. The building, an abandoned theatre in the suburbs of Milan, was completely renovated and transformed into a brand new community kitchen. Refettorio Ambrosiano keeps welcoming people in situations of social vulnerability and offers them a daily three-course dinner service, prepared with surplus ingredients collected from markets and supermarkets across Milan. The venue is also available to the whole neighborhood for educational projects and cultural events.

During the London Food Month in June 2017, Food for Soul flew across the English Channel to partner with St Cuthbert’s Centre and The Felix Project. Together we established Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert’s, a community kitchen that offers welcoming lunchtime services to homeless people, rough sleepers and people in situations of social isolation. The community space is also used to host events, workshops and social activities to engage the local community and encourage social inclusion, as well as the development of healthier eating habits.

On the occasion of the Olympics in 2016, Food for Soul opened its first international project: Refettorio Gastromotiva in Rio de Janeiro. Developed in partnership with Gastromotiva, the project involved many national and international chefs who used surplus food from the Olympic Games to prepare tasty and healthy meals for people in situations of social vulnerability. Since then, Refettorio Gastromotiva has become an important hub for the local community while continuing to offer delicious meals to those in need as well as vocational training for young adults from the favelas.

Refettorio Paris opened its doors in March 2018 thanks to a collaboration between Food for Soul and Le Foyer de la Madeleine. Located in the crypt of the church of La Madeleine, in the heart of Paris, Refettorio Paris offers a welcoming dinnertime service to vulnerable members of the community, including homeless, rough sleepers and refugees. Professional chefs are invited to join us and cook in our kitchen using surplus ingredients that would otherwise go to waste to make nutritious three-course meals for our guests. Thanks to the creativity and vision of a dedicated team of artists, architects and designers, Refettorio Paris has become an even more inspiring social hub where people can experience the joy of sitting together and share a meal in an inclusive atmosphere.

Refettorio Made in Cloister was open in partnership with the Fondazione Made in Cloister to offer individuals and families experiencing social vulnerability and isolation, a healthy and nourishing weekly dinner service prepared with surplus ingredients, and a space to feel valued and heard. The space, located in the heart of Naples, has been designed to celebrate the artistic, cultural and gastronomic value of the neighbourhood through the organisation of community projects and events.

Since May 2016, Food for Soul has been collaborating with Antoniano Onlus in Bologna to expand the activities of the Mensa Padre Ernesto. Besides the regular service offered at lunch, the community kitchen opens every Monday night, serving welcoming meals cooked with surplus ingredients to families living in situations of social vulnerability.

Refettorio Mérida is a cultural project of Food for Soul and operational partner Fundación Palace, the charitable arm of Palace Resorts. From the high ceilings to the wooden doors, everything speaks of beauty and hospitality: an historic colonial house been completely renovated and transformed into a place where hope and optimism can flourish for all. The project was launched in early spring of 2020, with a food-focused approach to community building, supporting the Yucatán State’s wide effort to alleviate poverty through the promotion of social rights and inclusive development. Beyond the meal service, the Refettorio will also house different programs and cultural activities aimed at encouraging and promoting the physical and mental well-being of the local community.

Refettorio Lima began during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 with an emergency relief initiative in collaboration with Intermediario by 3Gatos, Casa de Todos and the Lima Mayoral administration.   It became the ninth Refettorio initiative for Food for Soul, second in South America and now entering a second phase of development in partnership with Corazón de León Asociados.  Initial support for the project was made possible thanks to the chef collective of Peruvian hospitality organizations dedicated to food-focused projects that celebrate the gastronomic traditions of Peru and its key partner Beneficencia de Lima, a 186-year-old institution that operates in several areas including nourishment, shelters for orphans, women and the elderly, education, health, cultural heritage, real estate, and art preservation. Refettorio Lima’s expansion plans for a permanent home in Lima and beyond to the coastal and Amazonia regions.  We envision in keeping with our mission focus to create a place where people can be restored through food and beauty and the impact will have a broader contribution to a healthier food system.

Located at The Historic Emanuel AME Church, representing decades of civic engagement, education, art, music and cultural programming,  Refettorio Harlem offers a sense of belonging, compassion and opportunity.
In a time when action is needed for those who can give, Refettorio, In collaboration with local partners, Hot Bread Kitchen and YAYB, started serving the community not only providing nourishment for those most socially vulnerable but additionally support job training and workforce development programs for at-risk youth.

Refettorio San Francisco opened in partnership with the nonprofit organization Farming Hope during the pandemic in November 2020 take space in a temporary location.  In January 2023, the team moved into its permanent location on Van Ness in the Civic center deepening its impact and roots in the city center of San Francisco’s downtown area.  As one of the leading organizations advancing food security task-force initiatives for the city, Farming Hope, alongside their foundation of culinary training and workforce programs for those with lived experiences of homelessness and of the justice system; offers nourishing meals with hospitality at the table for those families in housing transition, nutritious prepared meals for distribution to community organizations and shelter supportive programs and fresh grocery access.
Through Refettorio activities and cultural events, Farming Hope’s exemplary holistic training initiatives and social entrepreneurship spirit, are helping to bride socio-economic opportunities that enrich lives with well-being and foster inclusion.

Refettorio Geneva led by non-profit organization Fondazione Mater brings together the gastronomy sector and humanitarian field to drive resilience and social impact in space that celebrates innovation, creativity, science and design. Together Fondazione Mater and Food for Soul will work to strengthen the ecosystem of empathy and compassion historically known in Geneva, mobilizing community organizations, private and non profit partnerships, the public and government sectors and volunteerism to scale environmental restorative best practices with programs and services that open pathways for social and economic mobility.

Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney is an Australian-first, social impact collaboration between Australia’s leading food rescue organization, OzHarvest, and Food for Soul. It will bring together those in need with a warm, nourishing meal in a unique, community hub setting.

Refettorio Modena, established through a collaboration with the Auxilium Foundation, is situated in an ancient chapel just steps from the Duomo and Osteria Francescana. The walls have been beautifully frescoed by two young local artists, Luca Zamoc and Luca Lattuga. Their artwork pays tribute to the history of Modena and its local community, while also revitalizing the space, creating a special atmosphere for guests. Every Monday and Thursday evening, Refettorio serves a complete, nutritious, and healthy meal with a surprise menu crafted by the chef using ingredients recovered on service days. The service is run by a team of volunteers who contribute in various roles, including cooking, serving, and welcoming guests.