A
carrotmob is a group of people that get together and spend their dollars consciously at places that live up to the ideals we'd hope to find in all businesses - employing a carrot and not a stick. DC's first
Carrotmob took place today at Teaism in Penn Quarter. Among many other environment- and employee-friendly practices, Teaism provides paid sick leave for their employees, something more than 90% of restaurants fail to do.
I love the carrotmob concept, which encourages people to think carefully about where they spend their money and the impact that choice has on others. When you eat a burger at McDonald's or Busboys & Poets (another contender for the carrotmob), you're not just having some food - you're supporting that business. The dollars you spend have an impact. I truly believe that the "votes" we cast with our dollars are at least as strong as those we cast at the ballot box. I don't always think about it (and it's certainly not always pleasant to do so), but it is always true.
So, today, George and I put our money where our mouths are and exchanged some cash for some socially responsible food. Watch me play hyper-local news source, starting now!
DC Employment Justice Center's Courtney Chappell and Woong Chang from Restaurant Opportunities Center - DC:
Javier Marquez, manager at Teaism:
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells presents Golden Carrot Award...
...to Teaism owners Michelle Brown (bel0w) and Linda Neumann.
MomsRising, a local DC nonprofit, also presented the owners with the Super Hero Award.
Thanks to the owners of Teaism for being such do-gooders and for the organizers of the carrotmob. I'll be sure to be there next time!