Rebuilding Organic Operations Together for Sustainability (ROOTS) ECHO ROOTS transforms urban properties into sustainable food systems by integrating community gardens, acting as a local food hub, and contracting with institutions to serve vulnerable populations citywide. Rebuilding Organic Operations Together for Sustainability. FOOD EQUITY

Services

Services

Community Gardens

Fresh, organic produce grown at ECHO-affiliated properties with Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs), providing tenants with free access to healthy food, wellness programming, and seasonal engagement opportunities.

Food Hub

Acting as a food hub, ROOTS collects and distributes produce from ECHO community gardens and local farms to identify optimal sites for sales, institutional contracts, and community partnerships.

Institutional Food Partnerships

ECHO ROOTS contracts with shelters, interim housing, transitional housing, sober living, and medical respite programs to provide fresh, locally sourced food to unhoused individuals living in supportive, care-based environments.

Urban Gardens

COMMUNITY
ECHO ROOTS will develop urban gardens at affordable housing properties to provide the community with fresh, nutritious, and affordable food options.

Maintenance

Community

ECHO ROOTS will develop urban gardens at affordable housing properties to provide the community with fresh, nutritious, and affordable food options. These gardens will be maintained collaboratively by ECHO ROOTS staff and tenants, fostering community engagement and shared responsibility.

Free & Affordable

Fresh

The urban gardens will provide tenants with free fresh, organic produce, with distribution frequency determined based on harvest cycles and community needs.

Food Knowledge

Education

ECHO ROOTS also offers nutrition education, food workshops, and hands-on growing instruction to empower tenants with the knowledge and skills to make healthy food choices and cultivate their own gardens.

Contributions

Giving

The surplus produce from the gardens will be contributed to the ROOTS Food Hub system to support the wider community.

Food Hub

OPERATIONS
We support regional food producers by collaborating to create a centralized Food Hub, which strengthens the local food system and increases access to fresh, locally sourced products.

Local Farmers

Aggregation

The Food Hub aggregates produce from ROOTS gardens and local farms, creating a reliable supply of fresh, locally grown food for the community.

Best Fit

Feasibility

The Food Hub identifies the best-fit sites for farmers markets and pop-up sales, ensuring convenient access to fresh, local food in areas where it’s needed most.

Support Farmers

Regional

The Food Hub supports regional growers by providing additional market channels, such as farmers markets, pop-up sales, and community partnerships, helping them reach more customers and strengthen their businesses.

Sustainability

Revenue

The Food Hub also generates revenue to help sustain garden operations and staffing, ensuring the long-term viability of urban agriculture and community food programs.

Institutional Contracts

Partnerships
Contracts with shelters, interim housing, transitional housing, sober living, and
medical respite programs allow ECHO ROOTS to provide fresh, locally sourced food to unhoused individuals living in supportive, care-based environments.

Care-Based Sites

Contracts

ECHO ROOTS contracts with care-based sites to provide fresh, nutritious food where it’s needed most, supporting both health and food security.

Vulnerable Populations

Engaging

ECHO ROOTS delivers fresh, nutritious food directly to vulnerable populations, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families, to help ensure equitable access to healthy meals.

Compliance & Competency

Safety

ECHO ROOTS operates in full compliance with regulatory food safety and delivery guidelines, ensuring that all produce is handled, stored, and distributed safely and responsibly

Support & Staffing

Maintenance

Revenue generated through the ECHO ROOTS supports the ongoing maintenance of the gardens and funds staffing, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of community-based food initiatives.

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Food Equity

Gardens

Installed Gardens

0

Food Hubs

Hubs

Active Food Hub

10

Access

Contracts

Pending Contracts

Food Equity & Hubs

Reorganizing Food Efforts

Join our efforts to support local food producers and farmers through ECHO ROOTS, and help provide affordable, healthy food options to vulnerable populations.