541 Exchange & Eatery

In the shadows of James Street North and Ottawa Street’s bustling arts and culture scene is a stretch of forgotten territory known as “Hamilton’s food desert.” Crumbling buildings, boarded windows and abandoned storefronts surround Barton Street East’s newest restaurant, 541 Eatery and Exchange. Standing tall, its brick exterior, big windows and bright turquoise entrance brings a shining beacon of hope to one of Canada's most impoverished neighbourhoods.

“It’s not a charity or a soup kitchen,” says executive director Reverend Sue Carr.  “It’s a restaurant that uses a unique currency system to give customers equal access to fresh and affordable food.”  The “pay it forward” model gives paying customers the opportunity to purchase a button ($1 each) to be placed in a jar and made available for anyone to redeem towards a meal of their own.

Neil, a retired Hamilton firefighter, comes just for the coffee. “It’s the best in the city,” he says. “And if I ever forget my wallet, I  just borrow a button."