FareStart: Giving Disadvantaged People a New Start

The saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” mirrors the intent and vision of FareStart, a Seattle nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of homeless and disadvantaged men, women and families.

FareStart works by empowering the homeless and disadvantaged to achieve self-sufficiency through life skills, job training, and employment in the food service industry. Since 1992 this nonprofit has become a leader in Seattle's social-service scene, a place for the down-on-their-luck to reinvent themselves, under the culinary guidance of celebrity guest chefs.

Participants come from homeless shelters, drug-rehab centers and prisons. (FareStart doesn't take violent offenders or people with chronic mental illnesses, and alcoholics and drug addicts must first complete a rehab program.) Each 16 week course has 45-55 students who are provided shelter and clothing. Then, under the supervision of a full time culinary staff, the students make 2,500 meals daily for shelters and local Head Start progams, for FareStart cafes, and for a catering service and restaurant. “Guest Chef” is a highlight of the program. Every Thursday, a top chef teaches students how to make elaborate, three course meals that are served to the public for just $19.95/plate. Reservations often fill up months in advance, as the meal is renowned for its gourmet delights. For youth FareStart offers a barista training program, a unique opportunity for at-risk youth.

Not only do the FareStart programs provide top notch instruction for work in food service industry, they also emphasizes life skills, such as conflict management, responsibility, and employment goal setting. Nearly 80 percent of Fare Start graduates are employed immediately upon graduation, and after three months, 80% of graduates are still employed. Fare Start has helped over 1500 people turn around their lives in the last 15 years. The FareStart restaurant, located at 1902 Second Avenue, is open to the public daily for lunch. For more information go to www.farestart.org . Now how about some fennel and garlic with that saumon au citron?