GROWING JUSTICE: The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is sponsored by Growing Justice. This fund advances racial and economic equity in food systems by supporting BIPOC+ communities. Grants strengthen food value chains, promote equitable procurement, and build local wealth through various activities.

Skip to content Images provided by: NACA Inspired Schools Network (group), Ujamaa Farmer Collective (three farmers holding tools in field), and Bidii Baby Foods (father and son on tractor) ... in institutional purchasing ... in school lunches ...

in tribal food systems ... in regional food systems ... for health and prosperity ...

for small farmers ... for growers ... for distributors ...

for food workers ... for all of us.

GROWING JUSTICE FUND AWARDS NEARLY $5 MILLION TO 38 COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVES SUPPORTING VALUES-BASED GOOD FOOD PURCHASING Meet Our 2025 Grantee Partners GROWING JUSTICE FUND is a pooled fund co-designed by funders, farmers, advocates, food suppliers, purchasers and community partners from Native and non-Native communities across the country aimed at advancing equity in the food system by investing in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity, and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food purchasing.

GROWING JUSTICE FUND is a pooled fund co-designed by funders, farmers, advocates, food suppliers, purchasers and community partners from Native and non-Native communities across the country aimed at advancing equity in the food system by investing in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity, and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food purchasing.

What Is EQUITABLE GOOD FOOD PURCHASING? While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers.

These industries and institutions have historically excluded communities of color from the relationships, infrastructure, policy, and capital needed to access and thrive in institutional markets. As a result, the producers most connected to the cultural and dietary needs of communities are often least represented in the food chains that feed them.

EQUITABLE GOOD FOOD PURCHASING is the purchasing of good food from locally or regionally owned, environmentally and economically sustainable farms, ranches, fisheries, and food businesses that prioritize the needs of low-income communities of color and treat workers with dignity. The Growing Justice Fund supports institutional purchasing efforts that advance equitable good food procurement through community-serving institutions.

Image provided by: Migrant Justice GOOD FOOD is affordable, nourishing, and culturally connected. It supports physical, economic, and community health, regenerates and respects natural resources and animals, and ensures that all people engaged in the value chain live with dignity and freedom from oppression and exploitation.

ECONOMIC EQUITY & WORKER JUSTICE ENVIRONMENTAL & FOOD JUSTICE exist when everyone—regardless of race—has the opportunity to achieve their full potential for mental, physical, and social well-being, and no one is disadvantaged by systemic inequities or discrimination.

are when all individuals and communities have access to safe, dignified employment, opportunities for business ownership, and the ability to build lasting economic stability and wealth. are realized when communities have the power to access, shape, and benefit from food systems that protect the planet, uphold the rights of food workers, combat environmental racism, support regenerative practices, and promote food sovereignty.

will be achieved when all people can participate and prosper in a just, fair and inclusive society and race is no longer a factor that determines who has the opportunity to reach their full potential for mental, physical and social wellbeing ECONOMIC EQUITY & WORKER JUSTICE will be achieved when all people and communities can access opportunities for safe, dignified work; participate in business ownership; and build the economic stability necessary to achieve and sustain wealth and prosperity ENVIRONMENTAL & FOOD JUSTICE will be achieved when all people and communities can access, shape and benefit from good food and food systems that address environmental racism, promote food worker rights, utilize regenerative agriculture practices and advance food sovereignty Types of Projects We Prioritize Building Infrastructure for good food procurement Support for diverse good food producers, manufacturers, aggregators, small processors, and distributors to enter the institutional market and/or expand their business with institutions.

These entities should be dedicated to specific community-serving institutions. Building policy action through grassroots organizing and advocacy for good food procurement Support for community coalitions and organizations that build power to educate, engage, and mobilize communities in efforts that inform and influence public awareness, institutional practices, and educate government decision-makers around good food purchasing.

Cultivating Traditional Food Pathways to build community wealth within Tribal Nations Support for inter- and intra-Nation work, including within Tribal Nations and across Tribal Nations, to increase food production and distribution for their direct communities, as well as distribution efforts to non-Tribal institutions serving Tribal and native peoples.

"With the support of Growing Justice and similar organizations, small family-owned farms like ours—once lacking such opportunities—are now empowered to bridge the gaps in social and economic inequities. This support enables us to contribute to the restoration of ethical and sustainable practices in food production.

The funding allows us to grow healthy, nutritious food for underserved communities while simultaneously strengthening the local food chain and fostering a brighter and bountiful future for all." "As a newly formed cooperative of Black and Brown farmers striving for significant change, we initially thought our efforts might go unnoticed. However, that was far from the truth—we were seen, heard, and respected.

If you feel like your vision is too ambitious or might not be understood, this is the grant you shouldn't overlook. It's created by people who truly understand our experiences, designed for us, by us. Their understanding goes beyond words."

Liberated Land Cooperative “This funding opportunity will play a vital role in creating lasting connections in our community of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and BIPOC farmers, food hubs, and Alliance members.

Through our shared values and dedication to our ʻāina (land), kaiaulu (community) and to future generations, we will be able to stand on a solid foundation to build systems of support for HGFAʻs locally sourced Food is Medicine efforts across Hawaiʻi."

Christen Oliveira Food Hub Hui Manager, Hawai‘i Good Food Alliance "Imagine a future where our farmers thrive, our tables are filled with fresh produce, and our community’s health flourishes—this grant can help make that vision a reality."

Coalición De Pequeños Agricultores en California Image provided by: NACA Inspired Schools Network The GROWING JUSTICE FUND is committed to investing in and solidifying the leadership, dignity and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions to: Promote learning among and connect leaders across the field of equitable good food purchasing Seed innovation and grow models for equitable good food purchasing Expand opportunities for small and local farmers, fishers, ranchers, producers, distributors, and suppliers to build the support and partnerships they need for equitable good food purchasing Advocate for equitable good food purchasing among public and private institutions Develop, implement and share effective policies, practices and partnerships across the food chain of actors engaged in equitable good food purchasing Leverage resources and influence and realign systems to support equitable good food purchasing by institutions The Fund aims to invest at least $50 million in the field over at least 10 years.

We have raised pledges of over $15 million at the time of our first funding opportunity announcement and are actively seeking donors to meet our next goal of $25 million. Image provided by: Working Landscapes In 2024, GROWING JUSTICE FUND awarded over $5 million in grants to 36 organizations working to transform food systems in their Tribes, regions and communities.

GROWING JUSTICE FUND is a pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of farmers, community partners and other workers across the food chain. GROWING JUSTICE FUND Seeks Visionary Funders To Partner On This Historic Effort. Why Partner with the Growing Justice Fund?

Practitioner-led: funding guided by those building food systems every day. Cutting-edge insights on institutional and values-based purchasing. Community-centered philanthropy that shifts power and resources.

A trusted network of funders and practitioners driving transformation. Ready to join a practitioner-led movement reshaping equitable food systems? Image provided by: New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative GROWING JUSTICE FUND Is Designed For And By Leaders In And Across The Food Chain.

GROWING JUSTICE FUND aims to support community-led efforts to: Develop and scale approaches for equitable good food purchasing across the food chain Efficiently share effective practices and emerging learnings in the field Leverage resources from to a wide range of sources Build and deepen partnerships across the field Photo Courtesy of CRECE Urban Farm Donate and become a member of the pooled fund.

Connect and learn how the pooled fund can support you. Donate and become a member of the pooled fund. GROWING JUSTICE FUND Seeks Visionary Funders To Partner On This Historic Effort.

Why Partner with the Growing Justice Fund? Practitioner-led: funding guided by those building food systems every day. Cutting-edge insights on institutional and values-based purchasing.

Community-centered philanthropy that shifts power and resources. A trusted network of funders and practitioners driving transformation. Ready to join a practitioner-led movement reshaping equitable food systems?

Image provided by: New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative Connect and learn how the pooled fund can support you. GROWING JUSTICE FUND Is Designed For And By Leaders In And Across The Food Chain.

GROWING JUSTICE FUND aims to support community-led efforts to: Develop and scale approaches for equitable good food purchasing across the food chain Efficiently share effective practices and emerging learnings in the field Leverage resources from to a wide range of sources Build and deepen partnerships across the field Photo Courtesy of CRECE Urban Farm What is your feedback about the translation?