PCC Community Markets, in partnership with Harvest Against Hunger and the Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets announced Tuesday that Growing for Good has secured three years of community funding.
Growing for Good is an initiative born out of the pandemic to support the stream of fresh produce from small farms in Washington's Puget Sound region to local hunger relief agencies. The program supports local food systems while feeding the members of its community who may not otherwise have the resources to prioritize fresh or local food.
This multiyear funding will support the refinement, replication, and scaling of the program to promote a greater impact across Washington state.
The Growing for Good model allows for upfront payment to local farms, enabling them to supply fresh foods to hunger relief agencies. It currently supports 16 small, local, and family-owned farms and 21 community-based hunger relief agencies.
Since its creation, over 114,000 pounds of local produce has been purchased from farms, helping ensure that all of its participating farmers remained in business throughout the pandemic. Additionally, more than 65 percent of farms that participate are owned and operated by farmers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, many of whom are first- and second-generation farmers.
“It is deeply heartening that with the collective power of our partners, and tremendous support from the co-op’s staff, members, and community, we will dedicate the next three years to growing this program while strengthening our relationships with local farms and food banks,” said Rachel Tefft, senior manager of community food systems at PCC, in a statement. “The commitment to this program for the next three [years] is an opportunity to take a pandemic relief program and build it into something with long-lasting effects and benefits.”
PCC will provide approximately $300,000 in funds raised in-store, specifically intended to support the purchase of local food from farmers by hunger relief agencies, and an additional $75,000 from the co-op.
“Growing for Good’s initial goal was to mitigate lost access and income for small farmers during a period of significant disruption and anxiety,” said Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Market executive director Jennifer Antos, in a statement. “Impact expanded steadily over three years and yielded unanticipated benefits for farmers: predictability, the ability to plan, and a business opportunity that supports the community. Looking ahead, the program continues to work towards core goals, including helping farm participants remain profitable and supporting new and existing hunger relief agencies.”
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