The Philosophy
Lentil as Anything is a unique not for profit community organisation. At our core are the pay as you feel restaurants where customers give what they feel the food is worth and have the opportunity to donate towards the philosophy.

We would love to welcome you as part of our community. We extend our hospitality offering you vegetarian cuisine cooked with love and gratitude. Our unique financial model functions independent of any government funding and we rely on your generosity in order to pay our rent, utilities, wages and stock.

Make an agreement with your conscience on what is reasonable, how much you enjoyed your food, our philosophy and our community. Be part of a unique financial model that is centred on the values of trust, generosity and respect that gives people the opportunity to eat out and be social regardless of their financial situation. Why do we do this? Because Everyone has a right to feel valued and respected, money should help bring people together not divide us.

The History
Lentil as Anything began in 2000 at St Kilda. Its founder was living in a tent. At the time, money was influencing the trends in the community, leaving many disenchanted. Lentil as Anything aimed to re-engage those who where left behind. It seemed that money was often a barrier to people participating. It was decided that we would have no fixed prices for food. Instead of a cash register, a box was placed on the counter. We used the money left in the box to run the restaurant. Money became a unifying force. Trust began to feel at home. The quest to prove that the inherent goodness in everyone is an abundant resource is alive and growing - with every meal.

2000	First Lentil as Anything opened by Shanaka Fernando, staffed by people living in tents, idealists and other economic irrationalists.
2001	Kitchen was run by Moksha - a polish jew 67 years young who had cooked in an ashram in India for 17 years - and almost died of natural causes. Moksha lived in a cardboard humpy in the back of the restaurant.
2002	Council bans Lentil's outdoor seating due to the large number of patrons congregating in the front of the restaurant. Protests break out and seating is quickly restored. The then Mayor Dick Gross voices a personal dislike of our philosophy.
2003	Lentil Brunswick opens in Sydney Rd. It proves a hive for anarchists and religious types. Very busy and unpredictable.
2004	Lentil Belgrave opens - The alternatives in the hills congregate to befriend bottomless chais and morrocan hotpots. The restaurant closses in 1 year due to lack of economic viability.
2005	Lentil as Africa opens to provide muslim african women with the skills to run their own restaurant. Awarded AMES Community Contribution award.
	Lentil as Anything Abbotsford opens and Lentil as Anything becomes incorporated non-profit organisation.
2006	Lentil opens in artplay behind federation square in the city. Take away facility that struggles with the pay as you feel system, because people had to pay before they feel.
	Lentil as Anything awarded diversity at work award for the employment and inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse Australians.
2007	Lentil won a private ruling with the Australian Tax Office - exempting the pay as you feel philosophy from having to pay GST.
	Shanaka Fernando (Founder of Lentil as Anything) awarded Australian of the year award as local hero.
2008	Collingwood College canteen is taken over by Lentil as Anything. First vegetarian - pay as you feel canteen in Australia or in the world?? Jewish Democratic society hosted for its annual Dinner and is cooked by a palestinian refugee in the restaurant.
2009	We introduce African food to Victoria Wimmera Region accompany 100 or so people from refugee backgrounds to plant trees, cook, dance and spend the weekend with farming families.
	Lentil as Anything Footscray opens at Barkly Hotel.
2010	Abbotsford Convent indicates that it will not be renewing our lease - leading to a massive community backslash. 30,000 signature petition is tabled in Parliament.  source1 | source2
2011	Still no lease, 6.5 million meals served nothing asked for.
	Lentil's first money box is displayed at Museum of Democracy, Canberra because it gives people the freedom to eat as equals. Freedom and equality is the foundation of Democracy.
	"Lentil as Anything: Food, Culture, Community" book launched.