City Fresh
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of City Fresh is to create a just, inclusive, thriving local food system that nourishes us all, sustains farmers in their stewardship of the land, and protects our soil and waterways.
- Income
- $394,886
- Spending
- $455,611
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 67%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 158
- Highest pay
- $74,008, 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $258,039 spent. We aim to ensure that all communities, especially those underserved, have access to nutritious, affordable food. We work to achieve this vision through several key initiatives. Our Farm Box program provides weekly deliveries of fresh produce to neighborhoods, making healthy food accessible and affordable. We are committed to paying farmers fairly, ensuring they can maintain their livelihoods while contributing to a robust local food economy. The New Farmer Incubator program supports new and aspiring farmers by offering land, resources, and mentorship to help them succeed in sustainable farming. By combining these efforts, we aim to create a thriving community where fresh, nutritious food is available to all.
- $66,738 spent. The George Jones Farm lives on a 70 acre farmstead, combining production areas for regenerative farming with habitat preservation in forest and wetlands. The George Jones Memorial Farm is an innovative educational site with abundant resources and activities for students and the greater community. We provide opportunities to utilize conventional organic and inventive methods for cultivation. Along with annual row crops, we employ perennial systems (perennial rows, food forest, medicine trails), high tunnel hoop houses, rotational systems, and fruit and nut cultivation. Working collaboratively, our efforts are supported and enacted by a network of students, researchers, community members, volunteers, and local institutions to build a more healthy and equitable local food system.
- $21,108 spent. Various other programs managed throughout the year.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.