Beacon Food Forest

Community grows here

We cultivate a community dedicated to building equitable food systems for all people, and stewarding our environment for the benefit of all species.

We believe in Caring for the Earth.

We steward our local ecosystem by building healthy soil and increasing the diversity of plants and habitat.

We believe in Caring for the People.

We bring people together to grow and share food, learn from each other, and know their neighbors.

We work to create a Fair Share for all.

We are on land stolen from the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other peoples, stewards and co-creators of abundance with the land since time immemorial. We work to dismantle an unjust food system rooted in white supremacy and conquest by nurturing its replacement, already alive and ready to grow. Through open harvest and collaboration within and among communities, we work to create a fair share for all. 

What’s Happening?

The best thing about the Beacon Food Forest being community run is that the community is always active. We’ve got meetings, classes, trainings, work parties, and other cool events happening year-round. Keep an eye on our Instagram, Facebook, and calendar to keep up with what’s going on!

Securing the future of BFF…

For the past 15 years, the Beacon Food Forest has been a living testament to what a community can achieve when it dreams together. Thousands of farmers, scientists, artists, chefs, families, global visitors, herbalists, architects, students, and more have joined hands to nurture this collective vision. Together, we’ve championed food sovereignty, built community-oriented green spaces, and inspired countless others to take similar action in their own neighborhoods.

As a nonprofit volunteer-organized collective (like many others), our journey has been filled with triumphs, but it’s also been challenging. Volunteers ebb and flow with the seasons, projects evolve, and funding is never guaranteed. Of the five major grant proposals we submitted from 2023 - 2024, all five were rejected. Now, we face an urgent challenge: we’re critically low on operational funding. Without immediate support, we won’t be able to sustain staffing into the new year—staff who are pivotal to keeping the forest thriving and accessible for all.

Many of you have worked with or been welcomed by Khalil, our Site & Programs Director, or Priya, our Community Relations Director. Their incredible dedication has made Beacon Food Forest a more inclusive, vibrant, and impactful space for learning and community activation. Losing these two would be a significant setback for the forest and the community it serves.

As we prepare for a less than subtle transition, we’re asking for your help to sustain this shared dream. Here’s a few ways to support:

BFF Online Auction

Now until 12/15 you can help raise funds for BFF by participating in our online auction happening on Auctria. From landscape design services, to dinner boat cruise tickets on the Puget sound, local art, gifts and tutoring services, to sports & zoo tickets, there are so many wonderful items to bid on! Support BFF and score some awesome items and experiences donated by our community. Check out the Live Auction here.

Getting Involved

We’re always looking for new regular volunteers! You can join us on one of our Third Saturday Work Parties from 10am-2pm or Food Forest Fridays from 12pm-4pm to find the best way to get plugged in with the crew! We’re currently looking for volunteers to assist with:

  • Volunteer leads for First Saturday Weeding Parties (training included)

  • Volunteer leads for pathway maintenance of the food forest (training included)

  • Volunteer tour leads (training included)

  • creatives to bring new art projects and beautification efforts to the space
    Contact us to learn more about any of these tasks or other projects you may be interested in supporting!

LandShares are Available!

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of two landshare spaces within the BIPOC Garden for community organizations and initiatives. This is an opportunity for groups aligned with our mission to make meaningful use of these spaces to foster community connection, food sovereignty, and environmental stewardship. Priority will be given to BIPOC-led initiatives and organizations whose work aligns with the BIPOC Garden’s core values of connecting underrepresented community members to the land, food, medicine, and each other. Click here for more info!

Upcoming Events

Our story

“The most meaningful aspect of the food forest is the community. There’s a very peaceful way of dealing with each other. The community supports you in working on whatever you’re excited about. Everyone is there for each other.”

— Jessica, volunteer

Header photo by Jonathan H. Lee/subtledream.com