What Beacon Food Forest does

Beacon Food Forest is a volunteer-led community food forest operated on Seattle Public Utilities land in Seattle's North Beacon Hill neighborhood. Founded in 2009 by four Beacon Hill residents studying food forestry, the organization runs under the legal entity Food Forest Collective, a 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit, and has established 3.5 acres of a 7-acre allotment into a permaculture-designed urban food forest. Its core offering is an open harvest model in which anyone can freely forage from over 100 edible, medicinal, and crafting plants year-round, supplemented by a designated food bank donation plot, P-Patch community garden plots, a BIPOC-focused Land Share program, and educational programming ranging from free community classes to ticketed workshops priced $20–$110.

The underlying technology is grounded in permaculture and agroforestry design principles, producing a multi-story ecosystem with fruit and nut tree guilds, berry bushes, herb spirals, native plant guilds, a 2,000 sq ft Helix vegetable garden, and gathering plazas. Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: individual donations (including the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program), grants from entities such as the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods ($22,000 in 2010) and the Parks and Green Spaces Levy ($100,000), sliding-scale class fees, and a 1% for the Planet membership. The organization is run by approximately 15 core volunteers forming a non-hierarchical leadership team and about 50 regular volunteers, with minimal paid staff comprising a Site Director and a Community Outreach Coordinator.

Beacon Food Forest serves a broad South Seattle community, with explicit focus on BIPOC residents (over 70% of surrounding Beacon Hill residents), K-14 students via summer camp and after-school programs, and learners across permaculture, foraging, and pollinator education. Go-to-market is community-driven through Instagram, Facebook, email newsletter, neighborhood event tabling, and Eventbrite. Institutional stability comes from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Program acting as umbrella sponsor (providing insurance, water access, and significant grant funding) and from the Seattle Public Utilities land use agreement, both of which are difficult for a new entrant to replicate in this neighborhood.

Name

Beacon Food Forest

Legal name

Food Forest Collective

Website

https://beaconfoodforest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Beacon Food Forest is a volunteer-led 501c3 nonprofit running a 3.5-acre public urban food forest in Seattle's Beacon Hill, offering free open harvest, educational classes, and community programs that serve South Seattle residents, BIPOC communities, and local students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Food Forest and Urban Agriculture Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL), Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized) (AFAMACAE)

Keywords

• Community food forest
• Urban agriculture
• Permaculture education
• Volunteer food programs
• Community food systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual monetary donations from community members through direct giving, checks, or Fred Meyer Community Rewards program where a portion of purchases is donated.
2. Class Fees: Revenue from educational classes and workshops, typically offered with sliding scale pricing to ensure accessibility. Some classes shifted to fully free community education.
3. Grants: Funding from grant proposals written by volunteers. Past grants include $22,000 from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods for design team and $100,000 from Parks and Green Spaces Levy.
4. 1% for the Planet Partnership: Global network membership where business members donate 1% of annual sales to environmental causes, providing another revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Beacon Food Forest operates a publicly accessible 7-acre (3.5 acres established) urban food forest on Seattle Public Utilities land in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood, where community members can freely harvest over 100 edible, medicinal, and crafting plants year-round under an open harvest model. The organization runs educational classes, workshops, and youth programs on permaculture, foraging, and food justice, and supports BIPOC community groups through its Land Share Program. It is managed by the Food Forest Collective, a 501c3 nonprofit, and is sustained by volunteers, donations, and grants.

Product overview

Beacon Food Forest is a volunteer-led community food forest and learning garden in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood. The organization offers a 7-acre urban food forest (3.5 acres currently established) with an open harvest policy, allowing anyone to freely harvest edible plants. Core programs include educational classes and workshops on permaculture, agroforestry, foraging, and food justice; youth programming including summer camp and after-school gardening; volunteer work parties; P-Patch community garden plots; and a Land Share Program for BIPOC community groups. Educational offerings range from free community classes to ticketed workshops ($20-$110), with programs like Foraging Fun Tours, Pollinator Festivals, and youth summer camp. The organization operates in partnership with Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Program and is managed by the Food Forest Collective, a 501c3 nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Harvest Food Forest A 3.5-acre (of 7 total) publicly accessible food forest where community members can freely harvest over 100 edible, medicinal, and crafting plants year-round. Operates on an open harvest principle where anyone can take what they need while leaving some for others. Located on public land at 15th Ave S and S Dakota St in Seattle.
• Educational Classes and Workshops Permaculture, agroforestry, ecology, food justice, and foraging educational programs for community members including children and youth. Classes range from free community education to ticketed workshops priced $20 to $110.
• Foraging Fun Tours Three-part guided tour series exploring plants, food forestry, permaculture principles, and foraging activities such as herb gathering, berry picking, and wreath making. Tickets $20 with sliding scale availability.
• Pollinator Festival and Tours Educational tours and events focused on native pollinators, bees, and beneficial insects, often in partnership with Washington Native Bee Society and Xerces Society. Pollinator Tours priced at $35 with sliding scale availability.
• Youth Summer Camp Free or donation-based summer camp for elementary students from Title I South Seattle schools, providing outdoor education with healthy meals in partnership with Seed2Fork.
• Plants in the Community: Gardening for Young People After-school gardening program for ages 7-14 running five Mondays, teaching plant communities, human cultures, and garden design through art, science, and cultural knowledge. $110 per participant.
• Land Share Program Program supporting BIPOC community groups and underserved organizations in developing gardens at BFF, providing space, water access, tools, materials, and referrals to plants and seeds.
• P-Patch Community Garden Plots Individual garden plots managed in partnership with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Program, assigned based on volunteer hours accrued at the food forest.
• Third Saturday Work Parties Monthly volunteer work parties from 10am-2pm where community members participate in weeding, planting, composting, and other site maintenance activities.
• Food Forest Friday Tours Weekly group tours meeting the Site Director with short site tour, volunteer orientation, and gardening participation. Open to individuals and groups up to 20 people.
• Basket Weaving Workshop Series Hands-on workshop series teaching basket weaving using plants harvested from the food forest, including wildcrafting and introduction to permaculture principles. Tickets $30 with sliding scale availability.
• Edible Fungi Workshop Workshop on edible fungi held in partnership with Tilth Alliance. Tickets $75 with sliding scale availability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ lbs of fresh food donated to local food banks annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• Tilth AlliancestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership in educational offerings to explore climate solutions, permaculture-themed ideas, and growing practices. Co-sponsors workshops like the Edible Fungi workshop.
• Seed2ForkstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Donates local, organic produce to support the free summer camp program, providing healthy breakfasts and lunches for elementary students.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Global network of businesses and Environmental Partners tackling planet's environmental issues. BFF is a proud partner receiving exposure through their directory.
• Seattle Conservation CorpsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Provided major grading and hardscaping work for the food forest expansion, working with Barker Landscape Architects and Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.
• Seattle Citizens for PollinatorsstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local nonprofit in development focused on pollinator advocacy, led by Mike Davidson who brings education experience and pollinator expertise.
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021First BIPOC community partner for Land Share program. First work party held September 18, 2021. Represents the organization's commitment to culturally inclusive food forest development.
• Xerces SocietystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Pollinator conservation organization. Xerces Society Ambassadors collaborated with Pollinator-Plus to hold first Pollinator-Plus Event at BFF in June 2024.
• Washington Native Bee SocietystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Pollinator-Plus team works closely with this organization and adopted ongoing research aimed at pollinator health. Some members serve on their board and collaborate on statewide curriculum for pollinator education.
• Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Main partner agency providing umbrella organization stability, insurance for volunteers, water for the site, and $100,000 in construction funding. The P-Patch program helped BFF adapt community gardening guidelines and covers water costs through membership dues.
• Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Owner of the land where the food forest is situated. Entered into land use agreement with DON to allow food forest on water reservoir site. Provided walk-through and requirements for long-term maintenance guarantees.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Food Project: Northeast U.S. nonprofit running urban agriculture farms combined with youth leadership programs and food donations. Closest national analogue to BFF's youth-summer-camp-plus-donation-plot operating model.
• Tilth Alliance: Seattle-based nonprofit coalition running edible education gardens, classes, and food-system advocacy — an explicit BFF partner and direct functional peer in urban permaculture education and community food access in the same metro.
• Seattle P-Patch Community Gardening Program: City-managed network of 90+ community gardens in Seattle; BFF's P-Patch plots are administered through this program. Comparable model of publicly supported urban garden plots with volunteer-driven governance.
• Soul Fire Farm: BIPOC-led farm in upstate New York focused on food sovereignty, farmer training, and youth programming. Direct peer in mission alignment (anti-racism in food systems, community-led land stewardship, youth education) though geographically distant.
• Keep Growing Detroit: Detroit nonprofit operating a network of community gardens, urban farms, and education programs with strong focus on food sovereignty in a BIPOC-majority city. Comparable operating model combining gardens, education, and food distribution.
• Black Farmers Collective (Yes Farm): Seattle-based, BIPOC-led urban farm network explicitly named as a recommended partner in BFF's food-justice ecosystem. Operates community plots and food-access programming in South Seattle with overlapping volunteer and donor base.
• Fallen Fruit: Los Angeles-based art/activist collective creating 'fruit tree parks' and community foraging maps on public land. Direct conceptual peer in the open-harvest, public-land community-fruit paradigm, though executed through different urban-scale activations.

Broad incumbents

• Seattle Urban Farm Company: For-profit Seattle firm designing, building, and maintaining edible landscapes for residential and commercial clients. Adjacent urban-agriculture operator with broader commercial scope but overlapping customer interest in permaculture design.

Others

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: National pollinator-conservation nonprofit that is an active BFF Pollinator-Plus partner. Adjacent rather than competitive — they enable BFF's pollinator programming and curriculum development rather than running community gardens.

Regional players

• Urban Harvest (Houston): Houston-based community gardening and urban agriculture nonprofit running education, garden builds, and farmers markets. Similar community-garden-plus-education model but serves a different metro and warmer climate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/beaconfoodforest
• Instagraminstagram.com/beaconfoodforest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beacon-food-forest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Beacon Food Forest