FareStart

FareStart

FareStart is a Seattle, Washington-based, nonprofit organization that provides culinary training and employment opportunities for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The program was founded in 1992 with the mission to transform lives, disrupt poverty, and nourish communities through food, life skills, and job training. FareStart operates several social enterprises, including a restaurant, café, catering service, and meal programs, which serve as both training facilities and revenue sources to support its mission.

The organization's approach combines hands-on foodservice training with classroom instruction, life skills education, and job placement services. Students in the program receive training in culinary arts, customer service, and other aspects of the hospitality industry, preparing them for employment in restaurants, hotels, and other foodservice settings.

FareStart's impact extends beyond individual participants. By providing meals to vulnerable populations through its catering and meal programs, the organization also addresses issues of food insecurity and access to nutritious meals in the community. Furthermore, FareStart's model of using social enterprises to fund and fulfill its mission has been recognized as an innovative and sustainable approach to nonprofit management and has inspired similar programs in other cities.