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Omaha Steve

(99,066 posts)
Wed Mar 27, 2013, 11:25 PM Mar 2013

Panera trying new pay-what-you-want experiment

Source: AP-Excite

By JIM SALTER

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Order a bowl of turkey chili at a St. Louis-area Panera Bread cafe and it'll cost you a penny. Or $5. Or $100. In other words, whatever you decide.

Three years after launching the first of five pay-what-you-want cafes, the suburban St. Louis-based chain on Wednesday quietly began its latest charitable venture that takes the concept on a trial run to all 48 cafes in the St. Louis region.

The new idea experiments with a single menu item, Turkey Chili in a Bread Bowl, available at each St. Louis-area store for whatever the customer chooses to pay. The new chili uses all-natural, antibiotic-free turkey mixed with vegetables and beans in a sourdough bread bowl. The suggested $5.89 price (tax included) is only a guideline. All other menu items are sold for the posted price.

Panera calls it the Meal of Shared Responsibility, and says the potential benefit is twofold: Above-the-cost proceeds go to cover meals for customers who cannot pay the full amount and to St. Louis-area hunger initiatives; and for those in need, the 850-calorie meal provides nearly a day's worth of nutrition at whatever price they can afford.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130327/DA59JK281.html





In this May, 2002 file photo Panera Bread Co. CEO Ron Shaich stands behind a counter in a St. Louis cafe. Three years after launching its pioneering pay what you want cafe, the suburban St. Louis-based chain on Wednesday quietly began its latest charitable venture that takes the concept on a trial run to all 48 cafes in the St. Louis region. Cafes will offer a bowl of turkey chili for which customers will set their own price. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam, File)

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tavalon

(27,985 posts)
1. That's really cool!
Wed Mar 27, 2013, 11:44 PM
Mar 2013

I would never walk into a Panera but it isn't because of their politics, which seem to be pretty nice. As a Celiac, it isn't wise for me to go inside a place that bakes its own bread and isn't gluten free. Too many potential contaminants and I've become highly sensitive over the years. I don't even go down the bread aisle at the store.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
5. Sometimes
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 12:14 AM
Mar 2013

When I was first diagnosed, I wasn't that sensitive but after 12 years, I have detoxed and am highly sensitive to gluten. Recently, I had to start looking at cosmetics (don't use them much anymore but picking up a powder that has gluten has become problematic) and other potential airbornes.

I think sometimes, I'm just a little paranoid. After so many years thinking of gluten as a poison, I see those poisonous items (to me) and get creepy crawlies, like I'm looking at a dangerous spider or snake.

But I don't avoid going out with friends. When I go out, I eat very simply but I don't feel deprived because it's the friendship and camaraderie that makes eating out with others fun for me. And my friends stopped feeling like they have to avoid all gluten or I'll feel left out. I don't. I'm grateful for the health I've gotten back.

leftieNanner

(14,997 posts)
8. Celiac Sucks!
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 12:45 AM
Mar 2013

My daughters both have it - contracted during middle school (a genetic gift from their father). They have both become way more sensitive to gluten since they have been on a GF diet. The good thing about it is that I learned enough about GF cooking that I opened a baking company in Southern Oregon and am now working on a cookbook. Good luck to you! And a second note, Panera may be doing a nice thing with the name your price deal, but they don't treat their bakers very well.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
9. I suppose Celiac sucks, but undiagnosed Celiac sucks more
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 01:15 AM
Mar 2013

I consider it a kindness to me that my body gives me quick feedback. I'm really, really good at my diet and how many diseases can be completely controlled and even reversed just by diet alone?

I think it's great that you are doing a cookbook. When I started down this path, Bette Hagman was the only cookbook person out there. Now, there are many to choose from. And the hilarious thing is everyone is trying to jump on the "Gluten Free" bandwagon these days. It makes it much easier for someone like me but only about 1% of people have Celiac, the rest are "dieting" for no reason and as I'm sure you are aware, it isn't a weight control diet and in fact, with all the white rice stuff, one has to be careful or they will gain weight on this diet.

Of course, if I would eat the way I eat when I go out (grilled fish, vegetables, rice), I wouldn't have to be bothered by middle age spread. But, dang it, now they have ice cream sandwiches that are gluten free! And I live just down the hill from a gluten free bakery!

It doesn't hurt that I live in the city that created this: http://www.gluten.net/ It's gone national now, but it started right here, in Seattle.

FlaGranny

(8,361 posts)
11. I was diagnosed only 1-1/2 years ago
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 07:05 AM
Mar 2013

after a lifetime of celiac. At 71 years old, no less. I still have symptoms, but much better. Takes up to 2 years or more to become symptom free when you are older. At times I felt so bad I feared cancer or heart attack, etc., etc. Fresh bread has always been my major food "weakness." I still crave it at times.

An expensive restaurant nearby has a gluten-free menu that includes a chocolate desert that will knock your socks off. I must stay away from there. It's hard to eat at fast food restaurants. It is mostly limited to salads.

You are right about all the rice. You really have to watch your weight. When I told my doctor about the higher calorie replacements for pasta and bread, he was surprised - he didn't even know. The replacements are heavy and dense compared to the real thing.

leftieNanner

(14,997 posts)
13. You're right - Gluten Free doesn't necessarily mean nutritious
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 12:56 PM
Mar 2013

If you stick to grilled lean proteins, veggies, and fruit, then you have a "diet". But I can bake an incredible apple cake with cream cheese frosting, or a chocolate torte with chocolate ganache that can make you gain weight with one bite! My daughter has a friend on her basketball team who went on a GF diet and lost about 20 pounds - mostly by removing processed and fast foods from her regimen and by focusing more carefully on what she was putting in her mouth. My girls are in college now and the improvement in GF offerings has dramatically improved. We are taking over the world!

We have used the Gluten Free Bible too. That was my first cookbook in 2005 and it helped me figure out what we could eat other than Fritos and fruit!

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
2. It sounds like a big healthy meal for many. There was something like that in Seattle at one time.
Wed Mar 27, 2013, 11:58 PM
Mar 2013

He sounds like a good guy.

grasswire

(50,130 posts)
4. Panera's Pay What You Want cafe in Portland had some big big hurdles.
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 12:07 AM
Mar 2013

It is located within a mile of a high school, and just a block away from light rail.

The cafe lost money as hordes of high-schoolers mobbed the place for free meals. And an "education" program had to be installed to keep too many transients from abusing the place regularly.

Now they have a greeter who explains the system and what a diner should be willing to do.

And it's off-limits to students during the day.

I haven't been over there since they implemented Pay What You Want. I really like Panera, but it's out of my regular zone of travel.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
6. I wish they had it here $10-11 for a half
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 12:18 AM
Mar 2013

sandwich and a cup of soup and a 3" piece of bread. I can get a much better full meal with desert and drink at a locally owned restaurant. I rarely ever go to Panera any more it is just way over priced, I would pay about $6 for their pick two meal.

 

BlueStreak

(8,377 posts)
7. How many jerks do you think will abuse this?
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 12:37 AM
Mar 2013

The concept is that people who can, should pay more than the suggested price, which will help people who really need it.

My guess is that about 90% of the regular Panera customers get this concept and would support it, paying at least the recommended price. If I know there was a formal program in place to make sure any extra amounts put food into the mouths of people who need the meal, I would gladly pay extra.

But what about -- well, I'll say it -- Republicans? While there are certainly some people who still identify as Republicans and could support this program, the core of the Republican party is all Ayn Rand selfishness. One doesn't often run into these sociopaths at Panera Bread, but I wonder if this program will attract some of those low-lifes.

That really is the experiment. It isn't a question whether there are many people who will support the program. It is how many assholes will get in and mess up what is a beautiful thing?

And who knows, maybe some of these Ayn Randers will venture into a Panera, confident that nobody would ever pay more than a penny for something if they didn't have to. And when they see how actual human beings act, maybe a few of these Randers will take stock of themselves and decide to claw their way up into the human race.

Permanut

(5,436 posts)
10. Here's a shout out for Panera..
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 01:55 AM
Mar 2013

We have a pay what you want Panera in Portland Oregon, and after some tweaking, it is going strong. For example they ask people with limited resources to come in only once a week; also the hours were adjusted a little. Been going for a couple years now, and here's the bonus part:

Every Saturday, other Paneras in the area send their remaining bread for the day to the one described above, and they just give it all - bread, pies, pastries, everything - to our church. Then we split it up, part to go with our soup pots downtown to the Clark Center, where about 90 guys just off the street are living, part goes to the womens' shelter Jean's Place, part goes to Meals on Wheels, and part goes to the food bank.

It is a total kick in the butt to partner with these people to help the least of these.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
12. When I used to put together charity events they were always "donate what you can"
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 07:17 AM
Mar 2013

People would donate 100 bucks for a chili dog or nachos or spaghetti (whatever we were doing that day). Some could only afford a nickel. Some couldn't afford to donate at all. We fed them anyway.

Those who could donate more did so because they knew others wouldn't be able to donate.

People can be very generous and giving. No one was turned away and groups made more than enough money to sponsor their next event as well as funding their other projects.

The concept works.

octothorpe

(962 posts)
14. A quote from FR about this "Stupid commies, hope they all choke on rotten smoked turkey sandwich"
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 01:08 PM
Mar 2013

Figures some jackasses would take issues with charity...

It's actually a different story from a couple years ago, but it's talking about the same company and experiment.

If you're like me and like to read shit that makes you wanna punch people in the face, here's a link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2785607/posts

Mike Daniels

(5,842 posts)
15. Pretty pathetic turnout by FR standards
Thu Mar 28, 2013, 01:55 PM
Mar 2013

only 34 posts and a few actually make positive references to other places that do (or did) a pay what you can operation.

For a bunch of people who say that "social programs" should be funded by charity vs. the goverment they sure don't seem to like charitable-giving all that much either.

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