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Freshfarm Markets Inc

EIN 35-2169859 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRESHFARM IS A WASHINGTON, DC-BASED NONPROFIT THAT BUILDS A MORE EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEM IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION BY PRODUCING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. WE CREATE FOOD ACCESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH HANDS-ON EDUCATION, FARMERS MARKETS, AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS.

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$11.8 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
185
Volunteers
90
Highest pay
$158,756, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $2.6 million spent. FARMERS MARKETS-THIS PROGRAM PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND IMPROVES FOOD ACCESS AND EQUITY IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION. OPERATING PRODUCER-ONLY FARMERS MARKETS AND FARM STANDS CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, FUEL LOCAL ECONOMIES, SERVE AS PLACE MAKERS AND COMMUNITY GATHERING SPOTS, AND PROVIDE VITAL FOOD ACCESS POINTS AVAILABLE TO ALL. FRESHFARM IS THE LARGEST NETWORK OF PRODUCERONLYFARMERS MARKETS AND FARM STANDS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA. THERE WERE 26 AND 27 MARKETS AND FARM STANDS AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023 RESPECTIVELY. THE MARKETS HOST A DIVERSE RANGE OF FOOD PRODUCERS FROM FOUR STATES (MD, PA, VA, AND WV) AND WASHINGTON, D.C., INCLUDING OVER 260 FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FOOD ENTREPRENEURSWHO EITHER GROW, RAISE, AND/OR PRODUCE EVERY PRODUCT THAT THEY SELL. FRESHFARM ACTIVELY SEEKS PRODUCERS USING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND VISITS EACH APPLICANT'S PRODUCTION SITE TO VERIFY PRODUCTION METHODS.
  2. $3.8 million spent. FOODPRINTS - THIS SIGNATURE FOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM AIMS TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN WHAT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES EAT THROUGH ENGAGING, ACADEMICALLY ALIGNED, HANDSON CULINARY AND GARDEN EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY LEADS PROGRAMMING IN TWENTY-ONE (21) WASHINGTON, D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL EARLY CHILDCARE CENTERS, WITH THE MAJORITY IN UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE CITY - REACHING OVER 8,000 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND OVER THREE HUNDRED (300) CHILDCARE FAMILIES. THROUGH FOODPRINTS, STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES LEARN TO GROW, COOK, AND ENJOY FRESH, LOCAL, WHOLE FOODS.FOODPRINTS' TEACHERS BRING MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES TO LIFE, AIMING TO IMPROVE THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM HEALTH OF OUR BODIES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.
  3. $2.2 million spent. FOOD ACCESS - OUR SUITE OF NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDES FRESHMATCH AND PRODUCE PLUS. FRESHMATCH PROVIDES A DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR MATCH ON FEDERAL BENEFITS SPENT AT THE MARKET, THEREBY HELPING SHOPPERS TAKE HOME MORE FRESH AND NUTRITIOUS PRODUCE AND LOCAL FOODS AND CREATING NEW REVENUE STREAMS FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND FOODPRODUCERS. PRODUCE PLUS PROVIDES LOCALLY GROWN, FRESH PRODUCE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENTS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD. PRODUCE PLUS OPERATES FROM JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER ANNUALLY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 October 21, 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.