Programs

Evergreen Produce Connection works to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of low-income residents by making high-quality fresh produce reliably available, where and when they need it, free of charge.

High-quality produce means fresh, whole, at or near peak ripeness, free of rot, mold, or damage that affects edibility or nutritional value, and distributed within a timeframe that allows people to use it. Cosmetic imperfection is not a disqualifying factor. Food that is good to eat reaches the people who need it.

Mi Centro Produce Distribution

Since 2023, we have distributed fresh produce every week at Mi Centro in Tacoma. The distribution runs every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1208 S 10th St, Tacoma, WA 98405. It is free, and it is open to anyone who needs it.

On an average week we serve around 360 families. There is no application, no eligibility screening, and no cost. People come, choose fresh produce, and take home what their household will use.

South End Produce Distribution Program

We are expanding into South Tacoma with a second weekly distribution site. This program brings the same model, reliable access to fresh produce at no cost, to a part of the city where the need is high and access is limited. The site will operate weekly and is designed to serve families across the surrounding neighborhoods.

The South End Produce Distribution Program is supported by the South End Neighborhood Council (SENCo).

How the Produce Reaches the Table

Our produce comes through a network of regional supply partners. Cascadia Produce is our primary wholesale source. Emergency Food Network supplies roughly thirty percent of what we distribute. We work closely with The Farm at Franklin Pierce Schools, supporting its agriculture education and community programs and exchanging surplus produce, and we receive seasonal gleaned produce through the Pierce County Gleaning Project and the Pierce Conservation District. Mi Centro hosts our primary distribution..

This network lets us move a large volume of fresh produce quickly, while it is still at its best, into the hands of the people who need it.

Looking Ahead

Our distribution model is built to grow. We are working toward a regional network of host sites across western Pierce and Thurston Counties, including outdoor refrigerated pickup points that let host locations set their own hours. The goal is straightforward: more sites, more days, and reliable fresh produce within reach of every household that needs it.