Working Food – A non-profit organization that works to cultivate and sustain a resilient local food community in North Central Florida through collaboration, economic opportunity, education, and seed stewardship.

The Amazing Give 2025

Save the date! The Amazing Give will take place on Thursday, April 24 from 8am – 8pm. For the past nine years, our region has come together to uplift local nonprofits through this incredible event.

We aim to raise $17,000 this year to support our holistic seed stewardship, youth empowerment, and food entrepreneurship initiatives. While the Amazing Give lasts just one day, all donations made between April 1st and April 24th will help us reach our goal. We deeply appreciate your support!

officialAG2025

We Are Working Food

A non-profit organization established in 2012 working towards a just and resilient local food community where all flourishing is mutual. Our core programs: seed, youth and kitchen help us achieve our mission.

Kitchen Program

Shared commercial kitchen rental + dry, cold, and frozen storage facilities

Youth Program

Holistic, hands-on garden and culinary programs

Seed Program

Regionally adapted seeds, education and research

Events

Join us at one of our events throughout the community to learn more about local food systems!

Youth Workshops & Camps

This year, we’re excited to launch our first-ever community workshops and camps for kids!

Working Food on Instagram

Cultivating a resilient local food community since 2012!

A strong local food system needs thriving food bus

A strong local food system needs thriving food businesses that support local farmers, preserve culinary traditions, and create meaningful jobs. Our Kitchen Program provides accessible, affordable space in a fully-equipped, certified commercial kitchen. By reducing barriers to entry, we help small food entrepreneurs, caterers, food truck operators, and farmers bring their dreams to life.
In the last year, we served 47 food businesses, supporting 3,815 hours of kitchen time, including 5 farmers creating value-added products from their harvests.
@north_florida_elderberry_farms joined our kitchen last year as part of this Value-Added Production Program, in partnership with Alachua County. We see them in our kitchen only a few times a month, but it’s truly magical to see the process from start to finish. Smells of spices and elderberry fill the kitchen air. You can find NFL Elderberry at farmers markets across the state, and you can also order their products online!

The Amazing Give is just a couple days away on Thursday, April 24 from 8am - 8pm! We aim to raise $17,000 this year to support our holistic seed stewardship, youth empowerment, and food entrepreneurship initiatives. While the Amazing Give lasts just one day, all donations made between April 1 and April 24 will help us reach our goal. We deeply appreciate your support!

🚨Hey friends — we could really use your help!

🚨Hey friends — we could really use your help! 🚨

Working Food’s leased building — including our commissary kitchen, dry storage, staff offices, and event space — is temporarily closed due to a repeated sewage leak inside the building. Experts believe the leak is caused by old, unused pipes beneath the foundation that are backing up from a damaged main line across the parking lot. We’ve been doing everything we can to find answers and deliver solutions, but many of the issues are out of our control. The health and safety of our community, clients, and staff is our top priority, and we won’t be able to reopen until we’re confident it’s safe to return.

In the meantime, we’re looking for operational, certified commercial kitchens where we can redirect our amazing food businesses so they can keep doing what they do best. If you know of any available spaces that can welcome a business — please send them our way! We’ll follow up on every lead.

While our offices are closed, our Seed Team will coordinate local pickups with you directly after you place your order. You can also find our seeds at local retailers including Ward’s, A Thousand Leaves, Grow Hub, and Auk Market.
Thanks for support during this difficult time — it means everything to our team! 💚

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got so

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got something special to share with you. This year, we’ve curated 4 raffle baskets featuring over $600 worth of goodies from our food entrepreneurs, seed collective, and merch store.

- Each $5 donation equals one raffle entry
- The raffle closes at 8pm on Thursday, April 24
- The lucky winners will be drawn on Friday, April 25
- Prizes will be available for local pick up at Working Food

The Grove Street Sampler features gift cards and vouchers for vendors featured at the Monday Grove Street Farmers Market! You can view all of the bundles and buy your raffle tickets NOW at the link in our bio.

We're one week away from our next Garden Demo Day:

We're one week away from our next Garden Demo Day: Tomato Plant Care 101 on Saturday, April 26, 10-11 AM @grow.hub! 🍅🍅🍅

Get a closer look at what we do to grow plants from seed to seed! It's full on tomato season and we've got lots of plants in our seed saving gardens! Learn how we plant, prune, stake, and troubleshoot issues like pest and disease problems. Practice the techniques we use to prune and trellis, and bring all your tomato growing questions!

This is a free event but donations are always appreciated to support our programs, . Head to the link in our bio to RSVP so we can know how many people to expect✨

#GainesvilleEvent #GardenPlanning #TomatoPlant

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got so

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got something special to share with you. This year, we’ve curated 4 raffle baskets featuring over $600 worth of goodies from our food entrepreneurs, seed collective, and merch store.

- Each $5 donation equals one raffle entry
- The raffle closes at 8pm on Thursday, April 24
- The lucky winners will be drawn on Friday, April 25
- Prizes will be available for local pick up at Working Food

The Seed Bundle features a $100 gift card to purchase locally grown and saved seeds from our collection, plus some stickers and a zine on how to save your own seeds! You can view all of the bundles and buy your raffle tickets NOW at the link in our bio.

Seeds are one of the most valuable resources for u

Seeds are one of the most valuable resources for us all- nearly every bite of food we eat started from a seed! Working with farmers, community gardeners, and backyard gardeners, we steward a wide diversity of crop varieties and provide critical seed saving education. Through education and shared stewardship, we ensure our community has access to the best seeds for our region.
We’ve partnered with @siembrafarm in many ways over the years, with the farmers participating in seed trials and sharing their insights. Hear more about this partnership from Bridgette Karam, who first worked with Working Food during her undergraduate studies and now as a farmer at Siembra!

Save the date! The Amazing Give will take place on Thursday, April 24 from 8am - 8pm. We aim to raise $17,000 this year to support our holistic seed stewardship, youth empowerment, and food entrepreneurship initiatives. While the Amazing Give lasts just one day, all donations made between April 1 and April 24 will help us reach our goal. We deeply appreciate your support!

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got so

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got something special to share with you. This year, we’ve curated 4 raffle baskets featuring over $600 worth of goodies from our food entrepreneurs, seed collective, and merch store.

- Each $5 donation equals one raffle entry
- The raffle closes at 8pm on Thursday, April 24
- The lucky winners will be drawn on Friday, April 25
- Prizes will be available for local pick up at Working Food

The Collard Lovers Bundle features towels, glassware, seeds and more! Some of these items are the last we have, so this is your final chance to get them! You can view all of the bundles and buy your raffle tickets NOW at the link in our bio.

Every day, we inspire and educate young people thr

Every day, we inspire and educate young people through hands-on food and gardening programs. Our five flourishing youth gardens serve as living classrooms where kids learn gardening, science, art, cooking, composting, and seed-saving. For teens and young adults, we offer culinary programs that build leadership skills and open doors to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

One of our Youth community partners is the @culturalartscoalition. We work with them through the George Washington Carver Science Club at the Wilhelmina Johnson Center, where students tend to their garden. Read more about what Cultural Arts Coalition Office Manager Blessing McKinney said about our partnership:
“I have been working with the amazing Jenna & Jesse from Working Food almost every year now since 2019 at the Cultural Arts Coalition’s George Washington Carver science club. With every program, Working Food helps our students create sustainable and healthy habits. Then a trickle effect happens as the students teach us and their families about vegetables, soil, recycling, herbs, and insects, to name a few. Before participating in science club, many of the students have never planted a seed. However, by the end of the school year, the students have not only planted a variety of seeds, but also harvested and made meals off of their beautiful garden. Watching and feeling the excitement as they enjoy cultivating their garden is an incomparable experience that I have only seen Working Food provide.”

🗓 Save the date! The Amazing Give will take place on Thursday, April 24th from 8am - 8pm. We aim to raise $16,000 this year to support our holistic seed stewardship, youth empowerment, and food entrepreneurship initiatives. While the Amazing Give lasts just one day, all donations made between April 1 and April 24 will help us reach our goal. We deeply appreciate your support! Head to the link in our bio to donate!

#AmazingGive #LocalSeed #YouthProgram #LocalFoodSystems

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got so

As we get ready for The Amazing Give, we've got something special to share with you. This year, we’ve curated ✨4 raffle baskets featuring over $600 worth of goodies from our food entrepreneurs, seed collective, and merch store ✨

- Each $5 donation equals one raffle entry
- The raffle closes at 8pm on Thursday, April 24
- The lucky winners will be drawn on Friday, April 25
- Prizes will be available for local pick up at Working Food

The Merch Bundle features new tea towel designs, note cards, stickers and more! You can view all of the bundles and buy your raffle tickets NOW: https://tr.ee/SCYmesnx5w
✨

At Working Food, we believe in the power of food t

At Working Food, we believe in the power of food to support a thriving, resilient, and equitable community. Through our three core programs—Seed, Youth, and Kitchen—we work to support seed and food sovereignty, youth education and empowerment, and small businesses development. Your donation fuels this vital work, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive.

This year, we’re raising $17,000 for The Amazing Give! Join us on Thursday, April 24 for a day of fundraising. We’ll be sharing stories from our community partners throughout the month, so be sure to come back to learn more about all the people and organizations that make our work possible.

Want to support us today? All donations made in April will be counted toward our goal for The Amazing Give! Head to WorkingFood.org to donate today!

Sunshine and smiles ahead! Always enjoying the bea

Sunshine and smiles ahead! Always enjoying the beauty out at the Duval community garden 🥕🍓

Did you know that your kitchen holds a secret art

Did you know that your kitchen holds a secret art supply?! Learn how to turn food scraps like onion skins, avocado pits, beets, purple carrots, turmeric and more into beautiful natural pigments. Join our hands-on workshop on Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Working Food Community Center. Create with color straight from nature! Get your ticket today with the link in our bio 🌼

Perfect for anyone curious about plants, art, or exploring new ways to become zero-waste. No artistic skills or supplies required! During the workshop, you’ll practice making ink and watercolor paint, and there will be plenty of time to create your own art using these rich, natural colors. You’ll leave with a detailed instructional handout, small samples of the pigments created, and any artwork you’ve made.

The workshop is led by Melissa DeSa, Working Food’s Seed Program Director and an artist who specializes in creating natural pigments from locally sourced plants and materials found, foraged, and grown. Thanks to Afternoon Restaurant for collecting specific food scraps for us to use in this workshop!

Cost: $55 - All ticket purchases are donations to Working Food, directly supporting our work. Thank you for your support!

Meet Frank, the asparagus plant! Brought over by o

Meet Frank, the asparagus plant! Brought over by our wonderful friend Val from Oystercatcher Shellfish, Frank is an asparagus plant we grow over at our seed gardens at @grow.hub
We occasionally get some tasty asparagus treats from Frank! Everyone say hi to Frank!! 💚

#SeedGarden #LocalSeed

Video description: clips of a tall, lanky asparagus plant growing upward and spreading out with wispy limbs.

We’ve been learning all about pollination with t

We’ve been learning all about pollination with the George Washington Carver Science Club over the last few weeks! We dissected azaleas and saw up close how pollen sticks to sticky-stigmas under our scopes. By the end of this unit, the kids are literally able to assemble a flower diagram with their eyes closed playing a fun mash-up of pin-the-tail on the donkey. We also play a fun relay that shows us the differences between wind pollination and pollination by pollinators like bees and butterflies. And since it’s spring time, where pollen is probably anywhere you go outside right now, the kids got to watch pollination in action with the flowers in the garden.

We are so excited to see another awesome farmers m

We are so excited to see another awesome farmers market here in Gainesville! The Porters Quarters Community Farm Farmers Market is a monthly market, with one happening tomorrow, March 26, 3-6 PM at 518 SW 3rd St.

More info: Support local businesses, gain valuable financial education, and participate in hands-on food-growing workshops. Kids and teens can enjoy exciting games and activities designed just for them. Enjoy a day of fresh, local produce, community connection, and fun activities for all ages. 🍓🥕🌱✨

@frogsongcsa is hosting their Annual Spring Festiv

@frogsongcsa is hosting their Annual Spring Festival tomorrow, Saturday, March 22, 1-5 PM at their farm in Hawthorne (4317 NE US Highway 301, Hawthorne, FL)! It's sure to be an awesome time! Support your local farms🥕🌻🍓

Happy first day of spring!! We’re heading out to

Happy first day of spring!! We’re heading out to @grow.hub next week to share what’s growing in our seed gardens! For now, enjoy this lovely clip from last spring 🌼

Join Working Food for a fun-filled morning at the

Join Working Food for a fun-filled morning at the @givinggardengnv! In our new, hands-on Garden Tots classes, budding farmers will discover the wonders of plants, nature, and gardening through sensory play, art, and interactive activities. Each week features a new theme designed to engage curious young minds.

Garden Tots meets every Tuesday from April 8 to April 29, 9:30 – 10:30 AM. These classes are designed for children ages 2 to 5, but older and younger siblings are welcome. An adult caregiver must accompany all children - these activities allow kids and caregivers to enjoy and explore the garden together.

Cost: $10 per class or $35 for all four classes when you pre-register. Children under two years old are free. Payment can be made online or in person. Please arrive 10 minutes early for registration and payment. All payments are direct donations to Working Food!

🔗Visit the link in our bio to register!

Schedule:
🌱April 8: Seed Explorers – Discover the magic of seeds! Investigate different types of seeds, how they travel, and what they need to grow.
🐛April 15: The Wonder of Worms – Dig into the world of wiggly worms! Learn how these tiny creatures help the soil and explore their important role in nature and our gardens.
🌻April 22: Plant Friends – Plants do amazing things! From leaves to roots, we’ll take a closer look at how plants grow and how plants and people can work together.
🥕April 29: I’m a Farmer! – What does it take to grow food? Little farmers will learn about planting, harvesting, and the important work of growing food.

@flavorful_llc celebrated their third anniversary

@flavorful_llc celebrated their third anniversary recently, and so we spoke with owners Aïssé and Awa about their journey so far. Flavorful features flavors from West Africa and other parts of the world, showcased through their homemade juices, spice mixes, sauces, catering and cooking classes.

You might’ve seen Aïssé & Awa serving prepared food at the @hailefarmersmarket or picked up one of their delicious juices at Ward’s grocery.

From the beginning, the women at Flavorful have tapped into their Gainesville community to share their food and knowledge. This past year, they’ve partnered with the @gini_initiative to help bring a project and event series called “Recipes For Belonging” to life. This project included local farm tours, meal sharing opportunities that blend art and food culture, and bountiful connections between community members.

We are so happy to be able to support Aïssë & Awa’s work!

Discover a new way to get one last use out of food

Discover a new way to get one last use out of food scraps destined for the compost bin and little bits of excess food and common kitchen items. Join us for a hands-on creative workshop, perfect for anyone curious about plants, art, or exploring new ways to become zero-waste. Learn about common food items and scraps that can be turned into stunning dyes, inks, and paints.

🍓This seed program workshop is on Sunday, April 6, 10AM - 12PM at the Working Food Community Center (219 NW 10th Ave.). Get tickets by visiting the link in our bio or head to WorkingFood.org/Events

🎨During the workshop, you’ll practice making ink and watercolor paint, and there will be plenty of time to create your own art using these rich, natural colors. This experience is open to everyone—whether you’re a seasoned artist, home cook, or just eager to try something new. No prior skills or knowledge are required. All supplies are provided, but feel free to bring your own sketchbook or favorite paint brushes if you’d like. You’ll leave with a detailed instructional handout, small samples of the pigments created, and any artwork you’ve made.

✨The workshop is led by Melissa DeSa, Working Food’s Seed Program Director and an artist who specializes in creating natural pigments from locally sourced plants and materials found, foraged, and grown. All ticket proceeds are donations that directly support Working Food. Thanks to @afternoonrestaurant for collecting specific food scraps for us to use in this workshop!