San Diego Roots Sustainable Food
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The organization is chartered to strengthen the local food landscape in the San Diego region; provide a local food network between the community and local farms; Educate and demonstrate sustainable farming practices to support and grow San Diego's local food economy; preserve local farms and farmers; and conserve associated wildlands.
- Income
- $199,876
- Spending
- $343,220
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 72% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $337,000 spent. In furtherance of our Purposes and Mission, and to meet our underserved community's need to access healthy food that has been otherwise unavailable, in 2023 San Diego Roots began accepting donations under an attorney-advised, Model C fiscal-sponsorship contract with a community- organized and -led initiative to open a cooperative grocery store in the racially diverse, low-income, food-desert/food-swamp community of Imperial Beach, California, where San Diego Roots is based. Because of Imperial Beach's demographics, retail grocery chains are not interested in siting stores in the city, which is dominated by convenience stores and fast-food chains. To effect this partnership, San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project has a Model C Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement and an MOU with SunCoast Market Co-op, a registered California Cooperative Corporation, acting as its own agency and separately insured, working to open this community-owned grocery store in order to address a critical lack of access to healthy food. In 2025 SunCoast Market Co-op was pre-revenue, with an opening date scheduled for early 2026. In alignment with San Diego Roots' nonprofit Purposes and Mission, the store will prioritize sourcing produce from local farms, as well as purchasing healthy grocery products from local businesses in order to support and strengthen the local food economy. Funds to open the store have been donated primarily by small donors and local businesses. The donated funds are held in a bank account separate from the general operating account of San Diego Roots, with donations and expenses classified and recorded separately from the nonprofit's general funds. For our services, San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project is paid a commission of 5% of donations raised. During the year, San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project distributed $337,000 to SunCoast Market Co-op to help open the store.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.