World Hunger Relief
World Hunger Relief is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a 40-acre working farm outside Waco to alleviate hunger through sustainable agriculture, education, and community food access programs including farm camps, tours, composting, and a produce prescription program with a local health center.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersWaco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What World Hunger Relief does
World Hunger Relief, Inc. is a Texas-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating since 1976 out of Spring Lake Farm, a 40-acre working farm at 356 Spring Lake Road, Waco, Texas (mailing address: PO Box 639, Elm Mott, TX). The organization pursues a mission of alleviating hunger through education, research, and sustainable agriculture, operating two sub-brands — Spring Lake Farm and the Blackland Prairie Center for Sustainability — under a single integrated platform. Core production assets include a nearly 2-acre high-density Market Garden, a multi-species Livestock Program (Flerd, rabbits, bees, chickens, ducks using rotational grazing), a commercial and community Composting Program that diverted 30,000+ lbs of food waste from landfills between fall 2023 and spring 2024, and the 3,500-square-foot Carl & Jean Ryther Education Building, a two-story structure built from on-site straw bales.
The product portfolio spans core farm enterprises (Market Garden produce, Livestock, Composting) and an education suite (Summer Farm Camp for ages 5-12 at $185/child, TEKS-correlated Interactive Farm Tours at $10/person with a $50 group minimum, Field Trips with paid add-ons, Service Learning programs, Classes and Workshops, and the Urban Homestead Program). Volunteer pathways — Farm Partners, Live-In Volunteers (housing in exchange for 10 hours/week), Academic Credit Internships, and a previously offered 10-month Residential Internship (paused due to federal funding cuts) — serve as both labor supply and a structured community engagement funnel. Distribution runs through the Waco Downtown Farmers Market booth (which accepts SNAP, WIC, and Double-Up Food Bucks), local restaurant supply (described as the majority produce buyer), the Family Health Center Vegetable Prescription Program, and on-farm educational visits.
The business model blends donations and fundraising with program-fee and produce-sale revenue; Beth Ferguson (Executive Director) and Grant Hall (Market Garden Manager) are the named operational leads, with governance provided by a seven-person Board of Directors. The organization reports no venture capital, private equity, or parent-company backing, and does not publish financial statements. Named strategic partners include AmeriCorps VISTA (providing a Community Engagement Coordinator), Truett Seminary at Baylor University (Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Program), Family Health Center (Vegetable Prescription), and the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.
World Hunger Relief firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World Hunger Relief
- Legal name
- World Hunger Relief, Inc.
- Website
- https://worldhungerrelief.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- World Hunger Relief is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a 40-acre working farm outside Waco to alleviate hunger through sustainable agriculture, education, and community food access programs including farm camps, tours, composting, and a produce prescription program with a local health center.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World Hunger Relief industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Agriculture Education & Nonprofit Farm
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO), Agriculture & Food Security Development (BPAGABAB), Work Exchange & Farmstay Programs (WWOOF/HelpX-Style) (EDAIAGAK)
Keywords
Where World Hunger Relief is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
World Hunger Relief business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Nonprofit relies on donations from community members to support operations, infrastructure projects, and mission activities.
- Farm Produce Sales: Majority of produce sold at Waco Downtown Farmers Market booth on Saturday mornings. Additional sales to local restaurants.
- Educational Programs: Revenue from Farm Camp registration ($185 per child), farm tours ($10/person, $50 minimum), field trips, service learning programs, and various add-on activities.
- Volunteer Program Fees: Small financial contributions from group volunteer events to cover staff time and administrative costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Farm Camp - $185 per child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Interactive Farm Tours - $10 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Field Trips - Full-day immersive experience |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Live-In Volunteer Program - No cost (housing provided) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
World Hunger Relief product offering
Product offeringCore offering
World Hunger Relief operates Spring Lake Farm, a 40-acre working farm outside Waco, Texas, that produces vegetables, livestock, and compost using regenerative and sustainable agriculture methods. The organization runs the Blackland Prairie Center for Sustainability to deliver educational programs including Farm Camp, tours, field trips, and volunteer opportunities, while distributing produce through the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, local restaurants, and a Vegetable Prescription Program with Family Health Center.
Product overview
World Hunger Relief operates as a nonprofit sustainable agriculture organization with a single integrated platform centered on its 40-acre Spring Lake Farm near Waco, Texas. The core offering combines a working farm with the Blackland Prairie Center for Sustainability to deliver food production, education, and community engagement. The farm produces vegetables through the Market Garden, raises livestock, and operates commercial and community Composting Programs. Educational products include Summer Farm Camp for children, Interactive Farm Tours, TEKS-based Field Trips, and the Service Learning Program for groups. Volunteer programs include Farm Partners, Live-In Volunteers, and Academic Credit/Residential Internships. Produce is distributed through the Vegetable Prescription Program, Waco Downtown Farmers Market booth, and local restaurants. The Urban Homestead Program extends education to the broader community on sustainable urban food production.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spring Lake Farm: The 40-acre working farm that serves as the core of the mission to alleviate hunger through sustainable agriculture and local food system promotion.
- Blackland Prairie Center for Sustainability
- WHR Farm Camp
Products and services
- Spring Lake Farm A 40-acre working and educational nonprofit farm outside Waco, Texas that serves as the core of World Hunger Relief's mission to alleviate hunger through sustainable agriculture. The farm produces vegetables, livestock, and compost while serving as an interactive learning laboratory for education programs.
- Market Garden
Quantifiable outcome
- Diverted over 30,000 lbs of food waste from landfills between fall 2023 and spring 2024
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use World Hunger Relief
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
World Hunger Relief technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
World Hunger Relief partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Truett Seminary (Baylor University)corePartnership through Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Program (TEFJ) providing Truett Seminary students with hands-on experiences in sustainable farming, food justice, and hunger alleviation. Students engage with stewardship, creation care, and food security issues through workshops and immersive learning on the farm.
- AmeriCorps VISTAcoreAmeriCorps VISTA Community Engagement Coordinator position to help expand educational programs, strengthen partnerships across McLennan County, grow volunteer base, and advance mission through regenerative agriculture and advocacy for food insecurity.
- Cha CommunityminorLocal business partner participating in weekly/bi-weekly commercial compost pickup route in downtown Waco.
- For Keeps Coffee & BakeryminorLocal business partner participating in commercial composting program to divert food waste from landfill.
- Harvest on 25thminorLocal business partner participating in commercial composting program.
- Native Sons Coffee RoastersminorLocal business partner providing coffee grounds for composting and participating in food waste diversion.
- Maker's EdgeminorLocal business partner in Waco's commercial composting initiative.
- Mamaka BowlsminorLocal business partner participating in food waste diversion and composting program.
- Waco Downtown Farmers MarketcoreWeekly Saturday morning market where farm produce is sold directly to consumers. Also accepts SNAP, WIC, and Double-Up Food Bucks for accessibility.
- Family Health CentercoreHealthcare partnership for Vegetable Prescription Program delivering fresh produce boxes to patients to improve nutrition and health outcomes.
- Leatherman FencingminorContractor partner for new fence and front gate installation project, creating welcoming entrance for community gatherings.
- Schilling Pipe & SteelminorContractor partner for fence and gate construction project.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
World Hunger Relief competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pie Ranch: Nonprofit educational farm in coastal California using a working farm as the platform for youth leadership, food justice, and sustainable agriculture education. Comparable farm-as-learning-lab model with similar youth-focused programming.
- Shelburne Farms: Vermont-based nonprofit educational farm on a large property delivering school programming, farm-based education, and sustainable agriculture demonstration. Strong overlap in farm-as-classroom model and donor-supported programming.
- Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Nonprofit educational farm that combines working agriculture, research, and public programming on a comparable scale. Closely aligned on the model of an operating farm used as a learning laboratory for sustainable agriculture.
- Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming: Nonprofit working farm and food-system training center providing farmer training, public education, and regional food-system advocacy. Comparable in combining regenerative production with formal educational programming.
- Green Gate Farms: Austin-area nonprofit urban farm offering farm camps, educational tours, volunteer programs, and CSA/prescription produce. Highly comparable product mix including children programming, volunteers, and food access.
- Sustainable Food Center: Austin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering sustainable agriculture education, farmer training, and healthy food access programs in Central Texas. Highly comparable mission and geographic ecosystem, with overlapping farm-to-school, farmers market, and community food work.
Broad incumbents
- Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (TOFGA): Statewide nonprofit membership organization advancing organic and sustainable agriculture in Texas, with education, conferences, and advocacy. Listed as a partner organization on World Hunger Relief's website and serves the broader ecosystem in which it operates.
Emerging players
- Ecology Center (Berkeley): Nonprofit advancing sustainable food systems through farmer training, community education, and food-access programs in the Bay Area. Partial overlap with World Hunger Relief's mix of education, food access, and regenerative practice.
- ALBA (Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association): California-based nonprofit that trains aspiring farmers in sustainable and organic production on a working farm. Comparable in combining hands-on agricultural training with food-system equity outcomes.
Others
- Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance: National advocacy nonprofit promoting regenerative agriculture and small-scale farmer rights. Listed as a partner on World Hunger Relief's website; not a direct operational peer but a key ecosystem ally for policy-aligned work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
World Hunger Relief social profiles
Digital presenceWorld Hunger Relief financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World Hunger Relief leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
World Hunger Relief funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World Hunger Relief M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World Hunger Relief
What does World Hunger Relief do?
World Hunger Relief operates Spring Lake Farm, a 40-acre working farm outside Waco, Texas, that produces vegetables, livestock, and compost using regenerative and sustainable agriculture methods. The organization runs the Blackland Prairie Center for Sustainability to deliver educational programs including Farm Camp, tours, field trips, and volunteer opportunities, while distributing produce through the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, local restaurants, and a Vegetable Prescription Program with Family Health Center.
Is World Hunger Relief a public or private company?
World Hunger Relief is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was World Hunger Relief founded?
World Hunger Relief was founded in 1976. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is World Hunger Relief based?
World Hunger Relief is headquartered in Waco, United States, in the North America region.
How does World Hunger Relief make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are farm Produce Sales, educational Programs and volunteer Program Fees.
Who are World Hunger Relief's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pie Ranch, Shelburne Farms, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, Green Gate Farms and Sustainable Food Center. Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (TOFGA) is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Ecology Center (Berkeley) and ALBA (Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association). Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance is listed as an others.
Does World Hunger Relief have an API?
No public API is recorded for World Hunger Relief.
What industry is World Hunger Relief in?
World Hunger Relief's product category is Sustainable Agriculture Education & Nonprofit Farm. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAI, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, with a secondary code of BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative). Its NAICS code is 624210 and its SIC code is 100.