Taste Project Launches Vibrant Summer Menu to Meet Growing Community Need

ARLINGTON, TX (June 3, 2026) — Taste Project, the nonprofit behind Taste Community Restaurants, is welcoming the summer season with the launch of its new Summer Menu—featuring fresh, seasonal flavors designed to nourish the body while strengthening the community.

As the school year ends and families lose access to school-based meals, Taste Community Restaurants expect to serve significantly more guests this summer, including a growing number of children and families facing food insecurity. With its pay-what-you-can model, Taste Project remains committed to ensuring that everyone—regardless of their ability to pay—has access to a healthy, dignified dining experience.

“Summer is a critical time for many of our neighbors,” said Jeff Williams, founder and CEO of Taste Project. “Our new menu celebrates the best flavors of the season while helping us meet an increased demand for nutritious meals in our community.”

The Summer Menu highlights bright, refreshing ingredients and approachable comfort favorites, offering something for every guest. Seasonal features include:

• Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

• Avocado Toast with Garden-Fresh Cherry Tomatoes

• Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on House-Made Focaccia Bread

• Summer Fruit and Burrata Bowl

• Sweet Tea Infused Chicken Sandwich with Crispy Potatoes

• And so much more…

Beyond the plate, emerging research conducted in partnership with Texas A&M University is helping quantify the impact happening around the table at Taste Community Restaurants. Findings show that guests who dine at Taste Community Restaurants experience measurable improvements in food security over time, while also adopting healthier eating habits. Guests report increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and decreased intake of refined sugars, sodium, and refined grains when dining at Taste. (Elsevier)‍ ‍

These findings are consistent with broader Texas A&M AgriLife research demonstrating that meals served in pay-what-you-can community cafés significantly improve overall diet quality compared to meals eaten elsewhere, particularly for individuals experiencing food insecurity. (Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior)

Every dish at Taste Community Restaurant is prepared with care and served in a full-service restaurant environment, where as a guest you can choose to pay what you can, pay what you would typically pay, or pay a little extra to help a neighbor in need. This unique model fosters a sense of belonging and shared responsibility, bringing people from all walks of life to the same table. (Texas Christian University)

While there are many ways to feed large numbers of people quickly, Taste Project continues to focus on how meals are served—creating opportunities for connection, dignity, and community. What’s happening around the table goes far beyond a meal; it is creating lasting change in both health and food security outcomes.

“This is the best restaurant in town, because when you dine you feel like somebody” - Restaurant Guest

No one understands this more than Jeremiah, who joined Taste Project’s Culinary Job Training Program after being introduced to it through his high school. Like many young adults exploring their future, Jeremiah was looking for a pathway to pursue his interest in cooking—one that was accessible, hands-on, and rooted in real-world experience. What began as curiosity about cooking and baking quickly grew into a clear sense of purpose.

Through daily work in the kitchen, Jeremiah has developed foundational culinary skills—from knife work to managing the grill—while also gaining confidence working alongside chefs and teammates. More importantly, he has discovered the value of community and collaboration, sharing that his favorite part of the experience is working with others and meeting new people. Today, Jeremiah is not only building technical skills, but also stepping into a future he is excited about—one shaped by opportunity, belonging, and the belief that he has something meaningful to contribute.

In addition to dining, community members can support the mission by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. Increased summer demand makes these contributions especially impactful during this season.

DINE
Our menu is a mix of healthy and hearty meals to accommodate the foodies in the neighborhood while also remembering this may be the only meal some of our guests eat all day.

DO (VOLUNTEER)
80% of our staff are volunteers. From greeters to line cooks and everyone in between, together, we can meet the needs of our community with love and dignity!

DONATE
Your support helps bridge the gap between restaurant donations and operating costs, ensuring we can purchase quality ingredients and pay our staff a living wage.

You are invited to experience the new Summer Menu at Taste Community Restaurant locations in Fort Worth and Arlington.

ARLINGTON
Open for Lunch, and Brunch
Wednesday - Friday (11:00am - 2:00pm)
Saturday - Sunday (9:00am - 2:00pm)

Taste Community Restaurant
200 North Cooper Street, #150
Arlington, TX 76011

FORT WORTH
Open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Brunch
Wednesday - Friday (9:00am - 2:00pm)
Saturday - Sunday (9:00am - 2:00pm)

Taste Community Restaurant
1200 South Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104

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About Taste Project
Taste Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit established to feed, educate, and serve our community so they may “…taste and see the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8. We believe everyone should have access to healthy nutritious food. Our vision is to see our community become the solution to the challenges our community faces as it relates to hunger.  Our first project, Taste Community Restaurant at 1200 South Main Street in Fort Worth, focuses on healthy, quality meals made from fresh ingredients. Our menu has no prices. This is a give-and-take concept. We ask guests to do one of the following: 1) pay what you can afford, 2) pay what you would typically pay, or 3) pay what you would typically pay, plus a little extra.  In March 2025, Taste Project opened its second Taste Community Restaurant location at 200 North Cooper Street in Arlington.  To learn more, visit us at www.tasteproject.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

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