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)

We are GROWING JUSTICE

...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.

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.

Fund Vision

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.

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OUR FOCUS

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.

Fund Values

HEALTH EQUITY & RACIAL JUSTICE

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.

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Fund Values

HEALTH EQUITY & RACIAL JUSTICE

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
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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.

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Image provided by: NACA Inspired Schools Network

OUR COMMITMENT

INVESTING IN TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE OVER THE LONG TERM

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:

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

Celebrating our Grantees

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.

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GET INVOLVED

FUNDING PARTNERS

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?

Image provided by: New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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.

Photo Courtesy of CRECE Urban Farm