Transforming Food Systems Through Equitable 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Ready to join a practitioner-led movement reshaping equitable food systems?
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:
Sign up to receive updates on opportunities for grantmaking and other support.
GROWING JUSTICE FUND Seeks Visionary Funders To Partner On This Historic Effort.
Why Partner with the Growing Justice Fund?
Ready to join a practitioner-led movement reshaping equitable food systems?
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:
Sign up to receive updates on opportunities for grantmaking and other support.