Donate

Transforming lives
through food

We help people overcoming barriers to employment gain job and life skills while feeding our community. It starts with food but grows from there into career pathways that provide stability and economic mobility.

WHO WE ARE

FareStart is a social enterprise nonprofit focused on job training and employment. We run food-based businesses that serve as classrooms for our students to learn on-the-job skills that will prepare them for careers while nourishing the community and sustainably funding our mission. Our end goal is personal stability and economic mobility for people overcoming barriers to employment.

Learn more

Our Programs

The holistic approach to our programs helps address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity.

DINING

Food is the foundation of our work. It’s the tool we use to transform lives, disrupt poverty and nourish communities.

Our model has far-reaching impact

We measure the impact of everything we do to ensure we’re delivering on our mission to disrupt poverty and nourish communities through food, life skills and job training.

14,652

individuals served

We have helped nearly 15,000 adults and youth work toward personal stability and economic mobility since 1992.

82%

job placement rate

On average, 82% of adult students have secured jobs within 90 days of graduating from our job training programs.

19M

Meals prepared

Since 1992, we have prepared almost 19 million meals for local nonprofits, shelters, respite centers, youth and adult daycare centers and schools.

272

organizations impacted

We have consulted with nearly 300 organizations in 51 states and provinces across the U.S. and Canada to advance job training programs and realize better employment outcomes.

News

Stay up to date on all the latest FareStart news.

Read More

Follow us on Instagram

Be the first to hear what’s up at FareStart and share it with your friends and community.

  • This past week, we were honored to welcome Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (@councilmember.amr) to FareStart for lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour of our kitchens and job training classrooms. It was a meaningful opportunity to share how we’re building pathways to employment through food. We look forward to continued collaboration in service of a stronger, more equitable community. #FareStart #FareStartRestaurant #WorkforceDevelopment #FoodSecurity #Seattle
  • Great news for all-day breakfast fans! Our popular breakfast sandwich and burrito are now available anytime you’re craving them. Stop by the FareStart Restaurant to enjoy them hot out of the oven or take them with you on the go for a delicious breakfast, whenever you want it. See the full menu and order ahead by clicking the FareStart Restaurant link in our bio. #FareStart #FareStartRestaurant #breakfast #seattleeats #SeattleRestaurants
  • Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
  • Looking for fun last minute plans this evening? We have a deliciously good idea for you! Join us tonight at @townhall_seattle for Tasting Notes with our longtime friend @kenjilopezalt alongside the incredible @tessalark. Expect a truly immersive experience. Best of all, this event benefits FareStart! Grab your tickets at Town Hall Seattle’s website!
  • “FareStart reminded me that I can dream again.” – Sharette, FareStart Graduate After years of working as a social worker while navigating her own healing, Sharette came to FareStart searching for community and a fresh start. In the kitchen, alongside supportive chef instructors and an incredible cohort, she rediscovered her confidence, her passion for food and the courage to dream again. Stories like Sharette’s are possible because of this community. Thank you for believing in our students and supporting them as they work hard to make their dreams possible. Read more of her story that she shared at Guest Chef Night earlier this year. Click on the news link in our bio. #FareStart #TransformingLives #PowerofCommunity
Follow Us on Instagram
This past week, we were honored to welcome Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (@councilmember.amr) to FareStart for lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour of our kitchens and job training classrooms. It was a meaningful opportunity to share how we’re building pathways to employment through food. We look forward to continued collaboration in service of a stronger, more equitable community. #FareStart #FareStartRestaurant #WorkforceDevelopment #FoodSecurity #Seattle
@_farestart
@_farestart
•
Follow
This past week, we were honored to welcome Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (@councilmember.amr) to FareStart for lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour of our kitchens and job training classrooms. It was a meaningful opportunity to share how we’re building pathways to employment through food. We look forward to continued collaboration in service of a stronger, more equitable community. #FareStart #FareStartRestaurant #WorkforceDevelopment #FoodSecurity #Seattle
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Great news for all-day breakfast fans! Our popular breakfast sandwich and burrito are now available anytime you’re craving them. Stop by the FareStart Restaurant to enjoy them hot out of the oven or take them with you on the go for a delicious breakfast, whenever you want it. See the full menu and order ahead by clicking the FareStart Restaurant link in our bio. #FareStart #FareStartRestaurant #breakfast #seattleeats #SeattleRestaurants
@_farestart
@_farestart
•
Follow
Great news for all-day breakfast fans! Our popular breakfast sandwich and burrito are now available anytime you’re craving them. Stop by the FareStart Restaurant to enjoy them hot out of the oven or take them with you on the go for a delicious breakfast, whenever you want it. See the full menu and order ahead by clicking the FareStart Restaurant link in our bio. #FareStart #FareStartRestaurant #breakfast #seattleeats #SeattleRestaurants
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
@_farestart
@_farestart
•
Follow
Last year, more than 500,000 meals were shared with our community. Through FareStart’s Community & School Meals Program, our students, chefs, instructors and delivery drivers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local nonprofits, schools, daycare centers, shelters and community organizations across the region. Most of these meals go directly to food-insecure communities, helping ensure that children, families and individuals have reliable access to healthy food. Behind every meal is a team that takes immense pride in the work — students building skills in the kitchen, chefs mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals and drivers making sure meals reach the people who need them most. Together, they’re not just cooking food — they’re strengthening communities. Thank you to the partners and organizations who contract with us and to the teams who prepare and deliver these meals with care every single day. #FareStart #TransformingLives #FoodSecurity #CommunityMeals
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Looking for fun last minute plans this evening? We have a deliciously good idea for you! Join us tonight at @townhall_seattle for Tasting Notes with our longtime friend @kenjilopezalt alongside the incredible @tessalark. Expect a truly immersive experience. Best of all, this event benefits FareStart! Grab your tickets at Town Hall Seattle’s website!
@_farestart
@_farestart
•
Follow
Looking for fun last minute plans this evening? We have a deliciously good idea for you! Join us tonight at @townhall_seattle for Tasting Notes with our longtime friend @kenjilopezalt alongside the incredible @tessalark. Expect a truly immersive experience. Best of all, this event benefits FareStart! Grab your tickets at Town Hall Seattle’s website!
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
“FareStart reminded me that I can dream again.” – Sharette, FareStart Graduate After years of working as a social worker while navigating her own healing, Sharette came to FareStart searching for community and a fresh start. In the kitchen, alongside supportive chef instructors and an incredible cohort, she rediscovered her confidence, her passion for food and the courage to dream again. Stories like Sharette’s are possible because of this community. Thank you for believing in our students and supporting them as they work hard to make their dreams possible. Read more of her story that she shared at Guest Chef Night earlier this year. Click on the news link in our bio. #FareStart #TransformingLives #PowerofCommunity
@_farestart
@_farestart
•
Follow
“FareStart reminded me that I can dream again.” – Sharette, FareStart Graduate After years of working as a social worker while navigating her own healing, Sharette came to FareStart searching for community and a fresh start. In the kitchen, alongside supportive chef instructors and an incredible cohort, she rediscovered her confidence, her passion for food and the courage to dream again. Stories like Sharette’s are possible because of this community. Thank you for believing in our students and supporting them as they work hard to make their dreams possible. Read more of her story that she shared at Guest Chef Night earlier this year. Click on the news link in our bio. #FareStart #TransformingLives #PowerofCommunity
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

How you can help

There are many ways to support our mission. With your help, FareStart is transforming lives, disrupting poverty and nourishing communities through food, life skills and job training.

Get Involved Donate

Stay in Touch

Sign up for FareStart’s newsletters and stay up to date on our programs, happenings and ways to get involved.

Sign Up