Food is Free Tacoma

Food is Free Tacoma (FIFT) aims to increase access to food in communities across Tacoma by establishing systems where surplus produce is shared freely among community members. Every year we serve 15,000+ community members with fresh, local food they would not have access to otherwise through pop-up free farmers markets and weekly food giveaways. 

FIFT wants to give food and also encourage inner city residents to grow their own food on any small plot of land available to them. We want to continue to connect with the community around food to shift mindsets into eating what is available locally to supplement their diets and reduce grocery store bills without sacrificing nutrition. 

FIFT hopes to be a consistent source of food security in Tacoma.  We want people to know they are supported by their community and that they are welcome to gather, eat, and be inspired to plant their own gardens for future food. 

What are the results so far? 

• We have distributed over 2 million pounds of food since 2015, to over 175,000 neighbors in Pierce County. 

• Our urban farm network consists of 62 raised bed gardens. In 2023, we grew 2 tons of produce that we shared for free with communities that have no access to fresh food.

• We have grown over 12,000 vegetable starts that we’ve shared for free with the Tacoma community.
  
  

We have many exciting goals for 2024, including:

• FIFT aims to facilitate the donation of 4,000 pounds of local garden produce through home gardens, community gardens, and gleaning efforts, and distribute this produce 
  hyper-locally to over 9,600 individuals facing food insecurity through our Food Independence Garden Share Program.

• FIFT aims to establish a bike courier program to pick up produce donations from gardeners across the city of Tacoma to aid in hunger relief

• FIFT aims to bring food to senior residents of an assisted living facility in Central Tacoma who currently experience lack of consistent access to fresh, healthful food  
  due to rising costs and limited transportation/local access.

We would like to invite you to join us in this work by donating at a level that is the right match for you!

More from our program participants:

"Food is Free Food is free is an incredible nonprofit that is dedicated to increasing food security and equity in Tacoma. Their devoted team works closely with farmers and community organizations to provide fresh produce to everyone. They accomplish this through their free food giveaways and share tables all over Tacoma.  I joined this nonprofit group as a backyard farmer a few years ago because I was deeply inspired by their mission. I love donating my extra vegetables to them because they know which places will benefit from it the most.  I have donated around 150lbs in the past 2 years. Food is free has truly helped increased food equity and eliminate waste in our community through all of their hard work. I highly recommend this nonprofit to everyone."

- FIFT community gardener

"Great community organization bringing neighbors together and sharing the fresh fruits and veggies we can grow right in our own yards."

- Participant

Visit our website to learn about upcoming Events