Innovation

This mobile kitchen isn’t just about food—it’s about creating connection, raising awareness around mental health, and serving meals that tell a story. Established in London in 2019, and co-founded by James Reid and Lewis Greenwood this innovative venture operates with a dual focus: serving delicious food and fostering meaningful social change. What sets Fink apart is how it combines business with social purpose. Not only do they create flavourful dishes, but they also use the informal and approachable nature of street food to raise awareness about mental health and challenge existing stigmas.

Their sustainability measures are just as ambitious. With all ingredients being sourced locally within a 15-mile radius of their kitchen, they are significantly reducing their carbon footprint and supporting the local economy. In addition, Fink’s packaging is entirely plastic-free, using recycled and recyclable materials, and they convert waste cooking oil into biofuel, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and emissions. These practices directly contribute to the achievement of several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 3. Their model proves that a food business can serve both people and the planet while remaining competitive and relevant in a fast-paced hospitality industry.

Colorful, flavorful, and full of purpose — Fink Street Food’s vibrant Middle Eastern dishes do more than satisfy hunger; they help drive social change, one meal at a time.

Inspiration

The driving force behind Fink Street Food stems from the deeply personal experiences of its founders with mental health struggles—particularly within the high-pressure, often stressful environment of the hospitality industry. “Our personal experience with mental health challenges inspired us to pursue a sustainable, impactful approach. We believe businesses can and should make a meaningful contribution to society, which is integral to our mission and values.” Aware of the damaging impact traditional work cultures can have on mental well-being, the founders were motivated to build a business that actively counters these challenges and promotes a healthier atmosphere for both customers and employees. 

Fink was created as a response to these issues, an enterprise that nourishes not only the body but also the mind and soul. The business leverages the social and informal nature of street food to spark open, yet critical, conversations about mental health in public spaces. Through partnerships with organizations like No5 Young People, a charity offering free counselling to children and young adults aged 6 to 21, Fink ensures its mission is supported by concrete, community-based action. They donate 50% of their profits to such causes, embedding social good directly into their financial model.

Fink’s commitment to well-being goes beyond mental health. The founders recognise the deep connection between environmental sustainability and psychological wellness. They reflected"We recognised a lack of socially conscious businesses in the street food industry. Our goal was to fill this gap by combining delicious, high-quality food with measurable social impact—addressing both mental health stigma and accessibility to mental health support services." Research shows that engaging in eco-conscious behaviours and spending time in greener environments can help reduce anxiety and depression. By embedding sustainability into every layer of their operations, Fink creates a business that uplifts individuals, strengthens communities, and protects the planet.

Overall impact

Fink Street Food’s alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has generated wide-ranging impacts across business growth, social good, and environmental responsibility. Their commitment to these global goals influences every aspect of their operations, from sourcing and packaging to customer engagement and strategic partnerships. As a result, Fink stands as a leading example of how businesses can act as catalysts for sustainable and inclusive development.  

Integrating sustainability into a food business, however, was not without its early challenges. As the team recalls, "Initially, finding cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and educating customers about sustainability was challenging. We overcame these hurdles through extensive supplier research and active customer communication." This reflects Fink’s deep-rooted commitment not only to environmental responsibility but also to transparency and collaboration. By investing time in identifying sustainable suppliers and engaging customers through open dialogue, they managed to uphold their mission without compromising on values or quality.

Today, those efforts are paying off. Fink’s sustainable practices have significantly reduced their carbon footprint, diverted over 10 metric tonnes of food waste emissions, and recycled enough cooking oil to offset approximately 12,000 kg of CO₂ annually. These environmental achievements are matched by their social impact. Through initiatives that promote open conversations around mental health, Fink helps create safe, inclusive spaces where individuals feel seen and supported. Their outreach programs, such as cookery sessions with local school children, further demonstrating how businesses can actively contribute to building healthier, more informed future generations.

Business benefit

The integration of social and environmental goals has delivered significant business benefits for Fink Street Food. By aligning with SDG 12 and SDG 3, Fink has successfully improved its operational efficiency. Sourcing ingredients locally not only reduces emissions but also strengthens relationships with nearby producers, creating a resilient and sustainable supply chain. The use of recycled packaging and the conversion of cooking oil into biofuel have helped lower costs associated with waste disposal and energy consumption. These savings directly contribute to the company’s long-term financial sustainability.

Moreover, their values-driven approach has helped Fink carve out a distinctive niche in the food service industry. "Our sustainable and social practices have greatly enhanced our reputation, attracting ethically minded consumers and securing partnerships with notable corporate clients such as PwC, Cisco, and Cancer Research UK." Their focus on sustainability and mental well-being appeals to consumers willing to pay a premium for food that aligns with their values, while also opening doors to high-profile partnerships.

Additionally, the workplace culture fostered by Fink where employees feel their work has meaning and social impact has boosted staff morale and retention. "Our team stays motivated by directly witnessing the positive impacts of our sustainability and social initiatives. Regular training, volunteering opportunities, and celebrating milestones keep our passion for sustainability thriving."

This highlights how Fink Street Food has built a workplace where employees find real purpose in their work. Seeing the positive impact of the company’s sustainability and social initiatives motivates the team and boosts job satisfaction. Regular training, volunteering, and celebrating milestones help staff grow, connect with the mission, and feel appreciated. By encouraging open communication and personal development, Fink creates a positive culture that improves morale and retention. Simply put, tying daily work to meaningful impact keeps employees motivated and loyal.

Watch video on YouTube

Social and environmental benefit

Fink’s business model delivers lasting benefits for both society and the environment. Aligned with SDG 3, SDG 12, and SDG 13, they tackle pressing global issues like mental health stigma, waste pollution, and climate change. Their impact is measurable and meaningful. By repurposing waste oil and reducing food waste, Fink prevents pollution and supports a circular economy. These practices lower demand for virgin materials, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a replicable model for other businesses.

In this way, Fink’s work contributes to a more stable, inclusive, and environmentally responsible society. Fink Street Food has ambitious yet grounded plans to expand its operations by launching additional food trucks, each dedicated to maintaining the same sustainability and social responsibility values as the original. "We plan to scale our impact by launching additional food trucks, each maintaining our sustainability and social values, expanding our footprint and increasing our social contributions." This planned growth will allow the company to reach new communities, increase its social contributions, and amplify its environmental impact.

The expansion is not simply about business growth; it is a strategic effort to deepen the company’s mission and ensure its values are upheld across all new ventures . Crucially, Fink’s commitment to scaling responsibly means that each new food truck will adhere to the same standards in sourcing, packaging, and community engagement. This approach reinforces their support for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating meaningful employment opportunities that respect environmental limits and promote wellbeing.

 "We plan to scale our impact by launching additional food trucks, each maintaining our sustainability and social values, expanding our footprint and increasing our social contributions." By maintaining their values even as they scale, Fink sets an example for how businesses can grow with integrity. Their long-term vision positions them not only as a sustainable food business but as an industry leader in ethical enterprise. In doing so, they demonstrate that profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive, but rather partners in building a better world.

Interviews

Lewis Greenwood, Co-founder

James Reid, Co-founder