Rethink Certified
Turning restaurants into a force for good across Miami-Dade.
Through the Rethink Certified program, restaurants in Miami are helping address food insecurity while strengthening their local communities. Led by Chef Michael Schwartz and The Genuine Hospitality Group, this partnership demonstrates how restaurants can integrate philanthropy into daily operations—creating a scalable model that supports small businesses while providing nourishing meals to families in need.
The need in Miami
10% of Miami-Dade residents experience food insecurity each year
14% of children in Miami-Dade face food insecurity annually
72% of food-insecure individuals fall below the eligibility threshold for SNAP and other nutrition programs
Source: Feeding America
This gap leaves thousands of families without consistent access to nutritious food—highlighting the need for community-driven solutions.
Impact
450,000+
meals prepared for communities across Miami-Dade County.
$1,825,000+
directed to local restaurants
How Rethink Certified works in Miami
Fundraising restaurants add a 2% opt-out donation to guest checks
Rethink Food allocates funds to small businesses within Miami-Dade County
This model supports local restaurants, creates jobs, and delivers nutritious meals where they are needed most.
Local restaurants prepare nutritious, high-quality meals
Meals are delivered to community-based organizations
Community-based organizations distribute the meals to their community
What is Rethink Certified?
Rethink Certified recognizes restaurants and businesses that step up in a meaningful way to support and sustain Rethink Food’s mission.
Certified partners help fuel our work in communities across the country, turning their support into meals served, resources delivered, and systems strengthened.
RETHINK FOOD
RETHINK FOOD
Criteria to become Rethink Certified
To become Rethink Certified, partners commit to $10,000 or more annually in support, through one or more of the following:
Prepare meals
Financial support
Product or in-kind support
Certification isn’t just recognition—it’s a public statement that you are part of the solution.
“Being Rethink Certified means you’re working for more than a job—you’re working for a mission. We’re incredibly proud to display this plaque—it’s like our Michelin plaque.”
— Bryan Chunton - co-owner of zaab zAab
Rethink Certified in Miami
Through a 2% opt-out donation at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink and Amara at Paraiso, diners directly support community meals across Miami-Dade. Led by Chef Michael Schwartz and The Genuine Hospitality Group, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to leveraging restaurants as a force for change.
Funds raised are invested back into small local restaurants and food businesses, empowering them to prepare nutritious meals that are distributed through trusted community-based organizations.
Since 2021, the partnership has raised more than $1.25 million, providing over 250,000 meals for food-insecure families across Miami-Dade County.
Stories of Impact
Meet the restaurants powering Rethink Certified and why this work matters.