Tacoma, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Many families in Tacoma struggle to access fresh, nutritious food. To allow residents to harvest vegetables in their own neighborhoods, Food is Free planted garden plots throughout the city. Organizers installed raised garden beds in residents' front yards, in tree boxes and in the public right-of-way along the city's sidewalks. Food is Free ensured the gardens met the City's code requirements. Each garden produces about 100 pounds of produce annually. Gardeners get to keep a fifth of their harvest, with the rest offered to residents during food share events held in a local park. In addition to increasing food access, project organizers say the effort helped participants -- including older adults -- become more engaged with one another.

Tacoma, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Entrepreneurship and improved economic resilience

Description: This project will provide formerly incarcerated older adults with digital and financial literacy training, employment services and food assistance, with the goal of fostering livable communities and preventing recidivism.