Use Food Well

In a food system often driven by scarcity narratives, Cascadia Produce and GoodRoots Northwest offer a refreshingly different perspective: there is enough food. Rather than focusing on limitations, their approach centers on rethinking last-mile logistics and designing customer service around access to health. By tackling inefficiencies in food distribution and emphasizing dignity and innovation, they are proving that surplus can be leveraged to create lasting impact. This is a story of abundance and connection, where thoughtful systems turn food insecurity into opportunity and transformation.

The System’s Story: Creating a Ripple Effect 

The collaboration between Cascadia Produce and GoodRoots Northwest is a masterclass in building interconnected systems. By creating a predictable secondary market for surplus food, the initiative lowers costs across the board. Farmers gain revenue, nonprofits stretch budgets further, and communities access fresher, healthier food. In rural areas, refrigerated lockers and online shopping options have reduced barriers for families who once drove hours to find fresh food. Meanwhile, urban food deserts benefit from accessible markets that make fresh food a viable option for the first time. These systems prove that with the right partnerships, food surplus can transform from a problem into a solution. 

At its heart, the model is about connection—between farmers and communities, businesses and nonprofits, and surplus and need. It’s a model that demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration to turn challenges into opportunities. By addressing food insecurity with dignity and creativity, GoodRoots and Cascadia are building not just a better food system, but a stronger, more connected society. These stories remind us that every link in the chain matters and that systemic change begins with small, thoughtful actions multiplied across the community. 

The Burden of Imperfection and the Road Ahead

Imagine a truck filled with vibrant, juicy tomatoes, three to a vine instead of the industry-standard four or five. These tomatoes are just as fresh, flavorful, and nutritious, but when they reach the retail loading dock, they’re rejected. The reason? They don’t fit the cosmetic standards of the industry.

This decision leaves the truck driver in a tough spot. Paid to keep moving, they now bear the burden of figuring out what to do with the load. With no time to spare and no system in place to redirect the tomatoes, many drivers are forced to dump them in landfills, adding to waste and heartbreak.

“It’s frustrating,” one driver explained. “I’m here to deliver food, not throw it away. But when the clock’s ticking and there’s nowhere for it to go, I have no choice.”

Cascadia Produce is stepping up to solve this crisis. By partnering with distribution networks and food businesses, they create quick, efficient solutions for redirecting rejected loads. Drivers can now offload surplus to food access organizations instead of landfills, turning what was once waste into nourishment for communities in need.

This shift is about more than logistics—it’s about rethinking the value of food and the roles we all play in reducing waste while supporting those who grow, transport, and consume it. For these tomatoes, three to a vine isn’t a flaw; it’s a fresh start.

The Family’s Story: Healthier Choices, Greater Dignity 

For a single mother in rural Pierce County, feeding her family fresh, nutritious food once seemed like a luxury. Through GoodRoots’ refrigerated locker system, she can now access a variety of fresh produce, like crisp apples and leafy greens, at any hour. With an online ordering platform available in multiple languages, the system respects her needs and schedule. She shared, “This isn’t just about food. It’s about being able to give my kids meals that make them feel cared for.” In urban food deserts, families visiting the Cascadia Fresh Market experience similar relief, finding affordable options that replace convenience store snacks with real nourishment. 

The Student’s Story: Building Skills and Sustainability 

At the Pierce County Skills Center, culinary students are redefining what it means to cook with intention. One student, learning to prepare meals with surplus produce, reflected, “This is more than cooking. We’re taking what could’ve been wasted and turning it into something meaningful.” The program not only teaches technical skills but also instills a sense of responsibility for reducing food waste. Meals prepared by students are distributed through GoodRoots lockers, directly impacting families in the community. These students are future chefs, but more importantly, they’re future advocates for sustainable food systems. 

The Urban Shopper’s Story: Fresh Food, Close to Home 

In North Delridge, a grandmother shops at the Cascadia Fresh Market for fresh produce priced at $1 to $3. For years, her choices were limited to processed foods from convenience stores. Now, she fills her bag with fruits and vegetables, knowing she’s feeding her grandchildren foods that support their health. “This market has changed how we eat,” she shared. “It’s affordable, and it’s right here in the neighborhood.” The model not only supports families but opens new markets for surplus food, creating a win-win for communities and producers. 

Cascadia Produce and GoodRoots Northwest demonstrate that our food system already has the capacity to nourish everyone. It’s not about scarcity—it’s about creating connections, valuing dignity, and ensuring equitable access to fresh, healthy food. Together, we want to inspire a future where no food is wasted, and no community is left behind.