Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food due to lack of money or other resources, affects 12.5% of North Carolina households, higher than the national average (Feeding America, 2020). In Raleigh, the capital city, a unique project is making waves in the battle against this pervasive issue: A Place at the Table. This initiative challenges the traditional cafe model by operating on a pay-what-you-can basis, part of a small but growing trend of eateries across the United States aiming to make nutritious meals accessible to all (One World Everybody Eats, 2023).