At Solid Ground, we know that our bodies, minds, and communities are at their best when we all have empowered access to healthy, culturally relevant food. That’s why Solid Ground’s Community Food Education (CFE) works to fuel futures beyond poverty in our community by ensuring everyone is able to know, grow, cook, and eat nourishing food.

With our cooking and nutrition classes for adults, families, and youth, CFE offers hands-on opportunities to help people of all ages understand their nutritional needs and prepare healthy meals on a budget. At the same time, CFE’s Giving Garden at Marra Farm lets folks get their gardening gloves dirty tending, weeding, and cultivating produce, which is then donated to nearby food banks and community health clinics. Through hands-on learning about sustainable farming practices, environmental stewardship, and healthy eating habits, we support individuals to make informed choices that promote long-term health and wellness. 

None of this work would be possible without a powerful community of support, including the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, one of CFE’s newest supporters, who made their first grant to Solid Ground this year. Grants like these are more than just financial assistance. They’re a powerful endorsement of our mission to cultivate sustainable agriculture, education, and food justice – and their impact extends far beyond Solid Ground.

These efforts also:  

• Promote environmental sustainability through practices like composting and water conservation, reinforcing our commitment to responsibly steward the land at Marra Farm. 

• Engage young people in crucial conversations about wellness and food traditions across cultures, empowering them to define for themselves what health and nutrition look like. 

• Help King County residents get to know our local food system and recognize food and food sovereignty as powerful tools for social justice. 

• Strengthen our resolve to deepen integration with community health and wellness initiatives, ensuring that CFE continues to play a vital role in promoting health equity and sustainable agriculture in Seattle.  

Nutrition education is more than just learning about food – it’s about empowering our community to thrive. It equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to grow and cook nutritious meals, fostering healthier lifestyles and building resilience against food insecurity. The generosity of our funders ensures that CFE and the Giving Garden at Marra Farm remain accessible to everyone while providing space where community members can learn, grow, and connect. 

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Thank you to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and all our incredible partners who supported Solid Ground’s work last quarter:  

• Aven Foundation

• Employees Community Fund of Boeing

• Hugh & Jane Ferguson Foundation

• Nordstrom

• Sunderland Foundation

• Turner Foundation

• Treeline Foundation

Image at top: Solid Ground staff take a break from their day-to-day jobs to tend the Giving Garden at Marra Farm (photo by Rachael Green).