In 2022, Aramark committed to providing a three-year grant to The FruitGuys Community Fund (TFGCF) in support of nonprofit farms led by women and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
“Small farms support their communities in critical ways, each playing a key role in their local economic and environmental prosperity,” said Jami Leveen, Vice President of Community Partnerships, Aramark. “In addition, they foster health and wellness, community engagement, and advocate in support of sustainable agriculture, which are all core to Aramark’s ESG platform, Be Well. Do Well.”
“We are grateful for Aramark’s support to fund small-scale BIPOC agricultural nonprofits,” said Sheila Cassani, Head of Impact, The FruitGuys Community Fund. “Underrepresented farmers provide food for local communities and also play a pivotal role in creating a welcoming space for people to reconnect with their food sources, with each other, and to foster the next generation of farmers.”
Making a Difference
Each spring, TFGCF provides micro-grants up to $5,000 each for farm sustainability projects across the U.S.
For the 2022 and 2023 grant cycles, the Aramark partnership has enabled TFGCF to award grants to 20 BIPOC farmers across 13 states.
“Our commitment to supporting BIPOC farmers is an essential part of our supplier diversity, local procurement, and responsible sourcing efforts,” said Katelyn Repash, Procurement Director – Responsible Sourcing at Aramark. “By partnering with community-driven partners like TFGCF, we are able to support sustainable growth for the farms, resulting in a positive impact for local communities and the environment.”
Aramark and TFGCF are looking forward to extending grant opportunities to at least 10 more agricultural nonprofits in the 2024 grant cycle.
Meet a Few of the Farmers
Ten farms across six states received grants in 2022 through the Aramark partnership for sustainability projects that included adding beehives and pollinator-supporting plantings, installing rain catchment and drip irrigation systems, adding growing season extension structures, and more.
Read a little more about a few of the farms and their missions.
Global One Urban Farming is a 1.5-acre, nonprofit farm in Kansas City, MO, that produces and distributes free organic vegetables to seniors, veterans, and low-income families.
ContemPLATE is an 84-acre farm, based in Sterling, CT, that provides access to farm-based therapies for underserved people—especially veterans and first responders suffering from service-related disabilities—as well as educational and mentoring programs for at-risk youth.
5 Loaves Farm, a 1-acre agricultural nonprofit in Buffalo, NY, provides sustainably grown fruit, vegetables, honey, and maple syrup to residents while providing opportunities for local youth, immigrants, and refugees to work and grow food.
Urban Food Forest at Brown Mill Community Garden is a 1-acre agricultural nonprofit located in a food desert in Atlanta, GA, that grows a variety of greens, fruit, beans, herbs, and flowers for neighborhood residents.
Groundwork Lawrence/Costello Urban Farm (photo at top) in Lawrence, MA, provides year-round, part-time, paid positions to local high school students to plan, grow, and harvest produce that is donated to local food banks or families. The students also lead local environmental and healthy community service initiatives.
EARTHseed Farm, a certified-organic, solar-powered 14-acre agricultural nonprofit in Sebastopol, CA, grows apples, pears, persimmons, plums, pluots, guavas, mixed berries, herbs, and flowers. They operate and are rooted in Afro-Indigenous permaculture principles.
Learn More
Find out more about the impact Aramark is making to help people and the planet in the company’s 2022 ESG Progress Report.
