Toronto’s first pay-what-you-can soup restaurant is here

In his latest venture, chef Jagger Gordon continues his mission to combat food insecurity in Toronto with Soup Bar, a pay what-you-can soup spot. As part of his non-profit, Feed It Forward, Gordon aims to address both food insecurity and food waste.

“I believe that no child should go without a meal, especially when it is within our reach. My journey led me to establish Feed It Forward as a way to combine my love for cooking with my commitment to addressing food insecurity,” he says.

Just like all Feed It Forward locations, chef Gordon collaborates with local grocery stores and restaurants to repurpose perfectly good food that would otherwise go unused. This initiative not only reduces food waste in the city but also transforms it into something beneficial for the community.

Soup Bar, situated at 766 St. Clair Avenue West, has garnered an “overwhelmingly positive” response, according to Chef Gordon. This reception mirrors that of his previous ventures.”People appreciate the opportunity to contribute what they can afford and to support our mission of addressing food insecurity,” he says. “It fosters a sense of community and empowers individuals to actively participate in helping others. 

Chef Gordon selected the location of Soup Bar with careful consideration, focusing on four key factors: accessibility, community need, affordability, and community support. He found that St. Clair West best aligned with these values and criteria, enabling him to offer locally-sourced, fresh soups with a variety of flavours and choices. From bone marrow phô broth to Indian coconut Dal stews and Texas cowboy Beef chili to coconut curry tofu chilis, the diverse selection caters to various dietary restrictions and tastes. For Chef Gordon, soup serves as a solution to reach the widest audience possible and is an homage to his beginnings. 

“Soup was chosen as our latest venture because of its versatility and cost-effectiveness in providing nourishing meals to those in need,” Gordon says. “It is a comfort food that appeals to a wide range of people and can be easily customized to accommodate various dietary preferences and restrictions. Our original soup bar was created in downtown Toronto in 2017, and its success led us to expand into the scholastic systems, offering faculty and students at university and colleges with a pay-what-you-can or free meal.”

Soup Bar’s grand opening is on April 20th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m at 766 St. Clair Avenue West.