Storytelling is an important part of building a sustainable food system, and preserving cultural food heritage. I learned about this project from fellow Food & Community Fellow Valerie Segrest, a member of the Muckleshoot Tribe who is helping with this effort. Please back them!

What could be better than an organization that engages youth in efforts to promote food justice, food access, professional development, local economic development by growing food in the city? Thanks Noam (same guy behind the Fresh Corner Cafe , formerly Get Fresh Detroit, below)

It's often said that there is no "crowd" in crowdfunding; most of your backers will be people that are part of your existing community. CSA farms are a step ahead, with "crowds" of members that may be more than willing to increase their support in exchange for a longer season!

If done properly (sounds like this project has it down!), fish farming can provide a reliable source of protein to communities - and a reliable source of income to entrepreneurs. Plus, these folks have a great sense of humor...

Around the country you can find examples of food projects on Indian Reservations that aim to address issues of poverty, diet-related diseases like diabetes and obesity, and reclaiming spiritual heritage. With this project, all backers can be part of the solution!

Talk about leverage: this help-us-start-more-local-farms project is already backed by a 2-yr USDA grant, meaning most of the elements are already funded. Ultimate goal: produce their own food rather than export local jobs to pay for imported food. Yeah!

How can one increase access to fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods in communities where there are more liquor stores and fast food restaurants than grocery stores? Open a mobile market, and bring the good food wherever it is needed most!

Mainstreet revitalization, economic development, urban-rural partnerships, local food, local art, urban gardening, cooperative model, tons of momentum already... it was a nail-biter, but they succeeded (and then some!) in the last few days of their campaign.

Community Kitchens like this one provide crucial infrastructure for local food systems. I'm hoping for many more projects like this - and backers thereof - in places that really need economic development and food access benefits!

Been fascinated to see if organizing a business as an L3C actually helps spur grants from foundations. These folks did get a grant, but not through the L3C, apparently...

This is one of my favorite Kickstarter projects of all time: a woman of color launching a new food-based business that celebrates her cultural heritage. Suzy just exudes charisma in the original video, and you'll be happy to know she's up and running, wowing fans w/ great food!

Here's a great example of the role that community organizations can play in helping people overcome barriers to successful Kickstarter campaigns, ie, helping with video production. Partner La Cocina also helped with business planning & used their social network to rally backers.

Another project doing incredibly important food access work in a scalable fashion. Can't wait to get my apron, and I thought the rewards for higher-level backers were pretty clever, too.

The more we can get kids cooking healthy food, the easier it'll be to get them to eat it! And if they're eating well and cooking themselves at school, they're more likely to ask for healthier food at home, too.

Not too hard, not too soft, Just Ripe! Women-owned cooperative, clear tie-in with the local farmers market, and obvious savvy regarding the popularity (and margins) on Grab & Go retail.