Our Projects

The People We Serve

Farms for Life plays an important role in donating fresh food to populations who otherwise might not have it. But the deeper purpose of the organization is to encourage and empower people in transition to take charge of their health, thereby reducing the compounded health problems that can result from poor nutrition - emotional as well as physical. Eating less processed food and sugar, and increasing consumption of locally grown produce is an important way to do this.

The produce that Farms for Life provides is grown free of chemicals, insecticides, or pesticides.

A healthy diet is a huge part of both self care and caring for a family. For economically disadvantaged people, changing their eating habits is something they can do for themselves to improve and take charge of their lives. Because people need support in eating in a new and different way - especially when they are working, in school, and have children - Farms for Life works with the residential agencies to provide education in preparing and cooking the fresh vegetables we provide. Our current projects include:

Former homeless youths learn to cook nutritious meals at YouthCare's facilities.

YouthCare   

YouthCare delivers life-changing services to homeless youth, including meals, shelter and employment training. Founded in 1974, it was the first shelter for homeless youth in the Western U.S. In Seattle, YouthCare has eight facilities with residential services, including three, long-term transitional living facilities. According to staff at YouthCare, requests for services have increased 163% since 2009, and budgets for all services including food are stretched. Donations of vegetables and fruit directly from Farms for Life help to improve health for youth by exposing them to eating and preparing produce. YouthCare's seven shelter and transitional housing programs serve meals to their residents, who also are given the opportunity to learn how to cook for themselves.

Residents of YouthCare's programs learn to enjoy eating healthy meals using produce donated by Farms for Life.

"Thanks so much! Fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive and so it is difficult for us to always buy them... which is really unfortunate since we have youth who have been on the streets a long time and have compromised immune systems." - Jelena Hasbrouck, Catalyst Program Manager, YouthCare

New Beginnings   

The mission of New Beginnings is to provide shelter, advocacy and support for battered women and their children, and to change attitudes and social institutions that foster and perpetuate violence. For many women emerging from abuse, having control over the details of daily life, which includes planning and cooking nutritious meals, is a new experience. New Beginnings provides support and resources by offering cooking classes at its Transitional Housing Program. Both mothers and their children learn about nutrition and how to incorporate healthy foods, like produce from Farms for Life, into their diets. "I just wanted you to know how very appreciative many residents appear to be of the Farms for Life weekly donations of fresh vegetables! Today is my first day of actually seeing this new donation and it's been fun to watch the women come in and bag up some of the very-appealing looking vegetables. Two women mentioned to me that they have gotten more creative with their cooking due to the fresh produce and one resident told me that she 'has never felt healthier'. For families on such tight budgets, this donation means a great deal." - Program Manager at New Beginnings

Freshly picked carrots are so sweet and juicy, kids love 'em! Young hands at New Beginnings prepare a meal in cooking class.

Elizabeth Gregory Home   

This agency serves single homeless women in King and surrounding counties by providing transitional housing and a day center. In both locations, food preparation and nutrition are emphasized. The day center has a communal kitchen, where up to 15 women can come and cook meals. Farms for Life, in its first month of operation, provided enough fresh produce to help serve more than 300 meals at the day center and the residential housing units. "Most women in transitional housing work or are in school. Many come physically and emotionally exhausted from living on the streets or shelters. The homeless population in King County grew 23% just last year. Families with homes last year are homeless this year. Domestic violence and lost job-related income are the leading causes of homelessness for women and their children. In a year's time, 24,000 children, youth, women and men in King County have an experience of homelessness." - Elizabeth Gregory Home web site "The women were so excited to see fresh produce last week. Even though some of the items were unfamiliar, both they and their children were enthusiastic about preparing and tasting!" - Elizabeth Gregory Home staff member Orion Center (Seattle, WA)    Orion Center is one of YouthCare's facilities and is a multi-service drop in center for youth ages 14-21. The Orion Center offers youth three meals daily, Mon-Fri. In 2009, more than 12,000 meals were served to homeless youth. Farms for Life joined the effort in 2010 and currently delivers produce once a week to Orion Center. YouthCare's Orion Center in Seattle "We are so excited to receive your generous offer for produce. Our food costs have more than doubled due to the economy and more youth ending up on the streets." - Orion Center staff member

Hopelink (King County, WA)   

When a family doesn't have enough food, the most basic human need, stability in other areas is impossible. Hopelink provides food for survival and nutrition education for self-sufficiency. Hopelink has served homeless and low income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities since 1971. Farms for Life donates fresh local produce directly to Hopelink, which provides much needed nutritional support to Hopelink�s clients.