FareStart is a nonprofit social enterprise based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1988 by Chef David Lee. The organization focuses on transforming the lives of disadvantaged individuals, including those who are homeless, in recovery, or previously incarcerated, by providing vocational education, job training, and employment opportunities in the food service industry. FareStart operates various businesses such as restaurants, cafes, catering services, and community meal programs, which offer real-world work experience for trainees while generating income to support its mission.
The core mission of FareStart is to empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency through life skills and job training, particularly in the restaurant and food service sectors. Its training programs, including Food Pathways and Barista & Customer Service, equip participants with essential skills for lasting employment. FareStart has served nearly 8,000 individuals and provided over 9 million meals to those in need since 1992. Additionally, it extends its impact nationally by consulting with over 250 nonprofit organizations to help develop foodservice job training programs, focusing on communities affected by poverty and food insecurity.
FareStart is a nonprofit social enterprise based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1988 by Chef David Lee. The organization focuses on transforming the lives of disadvantaged individuals, including those who are homeless, in recovery, or previously incarcerated, by providing vocational education, job training, and employment opportunities in the food service industry. FareStart operates various businesses such as restaurants, cafes, catering services, and community meal programs, which offer real-world work experience for trainees while generating income to support its mission.
The core mission of FareStart is to empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency through life skills and job training, particularly in the restaurant and food service sectors. Its training programs, including Food Pathways and Barista & Customer Service, equip participants with essential skills for lasting employment. FareStart has served nearly 8,000 individuals and provided over 9 million meals to those in need since 1992. Additionally, it extends its impact nationally by consulting with over 250 nonprofit organizations to help develop foodservice job training programs, focusing on communities affected by poverty and food insecurity.
