Blog Visiting GoodRoots Northwest: A Look into How Innovation and Community-rooted Solutions Can Expand Food Access July 14, 2026 Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email Last month, the Communications team spent time with GoodRoots Northwest, and it was an inspiring look at how innovation and community-rooted solutions can expand food access in our region. A few highlights really stood out: Reimagining food access Their locker + kiosk system is incredibly efficient — one 16-locker kiosk can match the output of a 3,000 sq ft grocery store. They now operate 10 locker locations, with particularly high usage at the Bonney Lake Library. The model is intentionally designed to minimize transportation (“not putting miles on food”) while making it easier for people to access what they need. Current reach includes Pierce College (Puyallup campus) and Bates Technical College, where lockers are student-only. Scale & impact ~260 orders per day 200 unique households served monthly 4,800 locker visits per month 15,500 people served per month Thoughtful, whole-systems approach Just 2.7% audited waste, with unused food supporting local pig farmers Leasing cold storage to local farmers Partnering with jurisdictions on emergency food storage infrastructure Investing in kids & community Their Backpack Program reaches 13 schools across the Plateau, distributing 400 packs/week Focus on protein-rich, low-sodium, easy-to-prepare foods kids actually want to eat Creative partnerships Collaboration with a culinary school to design, prepare, and package meals Launching a “buy one, give one” retail pilot (think TOMS/Bombas model) with local farmers and makers, supporting both local vendors and food access Sustainability Recently installed solar, already powering their full freezer operation, with plans to scale to the entire building The entire operation is a case study in streamlined efficiency. We were utterly wowed by how smooth and organized everything is. What stood out most is how integrated their approach is: supporting local agriculture, reducing waste, building infrastructure, and meeting people where they are — all while centering dignity and access. The visit inspired us to continue thinking about innovative, community-driven models. Written by Natasha Dworkin (she/her), Director of Communications. Header image by SignDog, Puyallup, WA
