The first Community Canteen was opened in Govanhill, Glasgow in April 2014. A restaurant where people can access high quality ethnic food, everyone pays £2 or what they can afford and all are welcome. Community Canteen is based on the following principles: An important and age old way of people coming together is by eating together- not at separate tables but communally There are people who need good cheap food and also those who need social company Eating together is a way of breaking down barriers, building bridges and celebrating a community There are extra health and community benefits: A place where people can get something out of giving – either preparing food or serving A place where food can be a way of expressing culture and crossing cultural, class and age divides A place where there can be learning about food and cooking A place where ideas will be generated