Four Roots wins grant to distribute free boxes of fresh food to students
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Four Roots, a local woman- and veteran-owned small business in Spokane, Washington, is a selected grantee for the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s We Feed Washington Pilot Food Program through June 2025, as the company has experienced exponential growth and opportunity as a successful contractor to the program since its inception in 2021.
Through this program, Four Roots will purchase locally grown food from Washington family farmers, ranchers, producers, and food businesses; aggregate food into household size boxes; and then distribute food boxes at events throughout Spokane County over the course of the next two years. This is in addition to Four Roots’s role as a vendor to Reclaim Project Recovery and Kalispel Tribe’s own We Feed WA grants.
Food boxes consist of locally and regionally produced food items, to include an assortment of fresh, seasonal produce, dry goods, dairy and proteins.
“The program is a win-win for our farmers and community members,” says Lisette Walser, CO-CEO of Four Roots. “Farmers win from having a direct, year-round sales channel all while our community members have reliable access to fresh, nutrient dense and local food.”
Four Roots will host weekly distribution events through a rotating presence at partner organization sites across the county. Below is a list of events for the month of October.
- Wednesday, October 11 at Reclaim Project Recovery Valley (16814 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99037). 10am-12pm.
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Thursday, October 19 at Gonzaga University’s Hemingson Center (702 E Desmet, Spokane, WA 99202). 11am-1pm.
- Wednesday, October 25 at Otis Orchards Library (22324 E Wellesley Ave, Otis Orchards, WA 99027). 10am-12pm.
A list of future food box distribution events is available on the company’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fourrootsspokane.
Around 232 food boxes will be available, free to the public, at each weekly distribution. Boxes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservation or proof of income required.
“Preserving dignity to food access is a priority of this program and our organization as a whole,” says Brittany Tyler, Four Roots’ Co-CEO. “We maintain a low barrier to access, ensuring all members of our community have equitable access to fresh, healthy food."
This program is made possible by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Legislature, and We Feed Washington grant program.
For questions, media inquires, and additional information, please contact:
Rachael Gewock, Food Box Program Manager
Four Roots, LLC
Phone: 360.979.0573
Email: Rachael@fourrootsfarm.org
Website: www.FourRootsFarm.org
