Inside Farm to Community Programming
- May 8
- 2 min read
Updated: May 26
This spring, we were excited to be included in three publications that highlight the systems thinking and strategy behind Growing for Good. These perspectives help frame how the work of our farmers and hunger relief organizations fit within the broader food system.
by Augustine Vonn Trapp, March 2024, Creating With Systems
When Augustine first reached out to learn about farm to community programs, we didn’t realize what a thoughtful, in-depth exploration of the work would result! This beautifully detailed report maps how farm to community efforts function within our local food system.
"If someone asked you how to make regional farming more viable, strengthen a community's food security, and protect these efforts against external shocks, how would you do it?
For most, completing this task would be desirable and yet very intimidating. However, in King County, Washington, such systems already exist, are well-built, and can be supported by straightforward participation.
This post highlights the values-based purchasing programs within King County's farm-to-food bank ecology and the orchestration that makes it functional and resilient..." Read More
PCC Sound Consumer, May 2026
PCC's Sound Consumer's recent article provides a comprehensive overview of how donations from rounding up at the register are reinvested in the community through GFG's farmer contracts.
"When PCC shoppers “round up” at the cash register for Growing for Good, here’s what they’re supporting:
The program pays local farmers to grow vegetables and fruits for hunger relief organizations, such as neighborhood food banks, meal programs and mutual aid groups, from the SeaMar community health centers to the preschool at United Indians for All Tribes Foundation. The money donated in shopper “round ups” is sent to Neighborhood Farmers Markets, which administer the program. The farmers get guaranteed sales – and advance payments helping them buy seeds and supplies early in the growing season, when they are typically short on cash. It is “a wonderful collaboration and massively helpful,” especially helping new farmers with few market outlets, leaders at nonprofit Viva Farms said in an annual report.
Participating is also an opportunity for these small farms, many of whom usually sell through farmers markets and farmstands, to share good food with people who couldn’t normally shop at those outlets." Read More
by Sheree Goertzen, March 2026, New Venture Advisors LLC
New Venture Advisors, a food business consultant organization, nominated Growing for Good for their Food Systems Champion award, along with 9 other incredible organizations and individuals from across the country.
"What started during the pandemic has blossomed into something truly special. For over 5 years, PCC Market shoppers’ small donations at checkout have been making a big difference- helping local hunger relief organizations buy fresh, locally grown produce that their communities actually want to eat. Local farmers get fair pay, families get culturally familiar foods, and it’s a model other communities can replicate. It’s proof that when neighbors support neighbors, everyone wins." Read More
If these articles sparked questions or comments, please reach out to admin@growingforgood.org to learn more!