Frequently Asked Questions

Growing for Good is not a standalone nonprofit. It is a collaborative program led by three partner organizations: PCC Community Markets, Harvest Against Hunger, and Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets. This collaborative model is one of the things that make Growing for Good unique. Growing for Good is funded entirely from community donations rather than private grants. Being people-funded gives the program flexibility to respond to changing community needs and reduce reporting requirements for participating farms and hunger relief organizations. It also provides greater stability, making the program less vulnerable to shifts in public funding or grant priorities.

There are many ways you can support Growing for Good and broader efforts to strengthen local hunger relief and food systems: - Round up your purchase at participating PCC Community Markets stores. - Become a monthly Community Supporter through recurring online donations and receive exclusive merchandise and newsletters. Check out our Support page to learn more. - Volunteer with your local food bank or hunger relief organization. - Shop at your local farmers market to support Washington farmers. - If your business is interested in becoming a round-up partner or exploring another sponsorship opportunity, we'd love to connect. Questions? Reach us anytime at admin@growingforgood.org.

All donations are tax-deductible! Growing for Good is sponsored by Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. 501c3 nonprofit name: Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance Tax ID/EIN number: 91-1589972 Address: 417 S 18th, Seattle, WA 98122

Yes. Growing for Good accepts interest forms year-round, with new participants typically onboarded annually. Because the program is relationship-based, we look for partners who are a strong fit for the program's goals. For hunger relief organizations, considerations include: - Community served - Organizational capacity - Geographic location - Mission alignment - Ability to build long-term partnerships For farms, considerations include: - Owner-operated, independent farms - Significant farm-based income - Direct-to-consumer or local wholesale experience - Sustainable growing practices - Equity and representation - Capacity to meet partner needs To apply, contact admin@growingforgood.org, and we’ll send you a brief interest form. If you have questions or concerns about factors of consideration, we’d love to hear from you as well.

Growing for Good helps hunger relief organizations provide fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food to their communities. Farm-fresh food complements the shelf-stable foods commonly available through traditional food assistance. Farm contracts help organizations offer products that reflect the cultural preferences of the people they serve. The program also provides stability during periods of uncertainty. Because Growing for Good operates independently of federal funding, it can respond quickly when public food assistance programs are reduced or disrupted. For example, in late 2025, the program provided $83,800 in additional contracts to support both hunger relief organizations experiencing increased demand and farmers recovering from severe flooding.

Growing for Good is designed around the needs of farmers. Upfront spring payments provide critical cash flow, allowing farmers to invest in seeds, supplies, and labor before harvest. The program also helps farmers diversify their markets and establish lasting relationships with local hunger relief organizations. For farmers who are newer to wholesaling, the Growing for Good team provides administrative templates and technical assistance. Farmer feedback directly shapes program improvements, and growers are compensated for participating in planning events such as the annual Grower Roundtable. Because the program is community-funded, Growing for Good can also adapt to unexpected challenges, including weather events, crop losses, or changes in farm operations, to better support participating farms.

While about half of our farms are certified organic, it is not a program requirement. Because certification costs can be prohibitive for small farms, many participating growers instead follow farming practices consistent with organic principles. These include diversified crop production, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and minimizing synthetic pesticides and herbicides. These practices promote healthy soil, protect water quality, support biodiversity, and produce nutritious food while improving long-term farm resilience.

Funding allocations are designed to ensure the success of our farms while balancing the needs of hunger relief organizations and the communities they serve. For hunger relief organizations, allocations are determined by factors including: - Number of people served - Food insecurity and basic food benefit participation in surrounding zip codes - Organizational capacity - Geographic scope - Service to historically underserved populations For farms, allocations are determined by factors including: - Farm production capacity - Farm size - Desire for growth - Equity for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women owned businesses - Demonstrated program success

Each year, the Growing for Good team gathers feedback from participating farmers and hunger relief organizations through surveys and conversations. The team then carefully creates matches based on the following factors: - Crop availability - Product preferences - Delivery schedules - Geographic proximity - Communication preferences - Organizational and storage capacity Before contracts are finalized, both the farm and the hunger relief organization review and confirm the proposed match. Strong, long-term relationships are central to the program's success, and many partnerships continue well beyond a single season.