FareStart

FareStart Restaurant’s veggie wrap brings the flavor with mushrooms, feta, hummus, sweet peppers, pepperoncini and fresh arugula—all wrapped up for lunch.

And that’s just the start. Our vegetarian-friendly favorites include Creamy Tomato Soup, Sesame Noodle and Quinoa Salads, plus Pesto Grilled Cheese and Banh Mi sandwiches.

Come hungry. Find a new favorite. And know that every meal helps support hands-on job training for students in our job training programs.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities—and to make space for learning from the stories and perspectives within those communities.

This year, FareStart’s new Book Club is marking the month by reading Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings by Myriam Gurba. Through plants, memory, family history and the California landscape, Gurba explores themes of identity, resilience and reclamation.

The book was selected by FareStart employees as the first read for our Book Club, an extension of The Common Table, our cultural learning program focused on creating opportunities for reflection, connection and greater cultural understanding.

We’re looking forward to reading, learning and starting the conversation together.

Two months in, Social Hour is becoming a Thursday favorite—and there’s plenty of room at the table.

Join us at FareStart Restaurant tomorrow, Thurs, Sept 17, from 3–6 p.m. for shareable bites, refreshing drinks and good company. Bring your coworkers, friends or family and settle in for that sweet spot between the workday and whatever comes next.

We’ll see you there.

One of the easiest ways to support FareStart may already be available through your workplace.

Since 2020, workplace giving programs—including employee donations, matching gifts and volunteer grants—have generated more than $2.5 million for FareStart programs.

As fall giving campaigns begin, check with your employer to see how you can make your support go even further.

Learn more: https://www.farestart.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/

Fall calls for good food—and a gift worth savoring. A FareStart Restaurant gift card is a delicious way to celebrate a fall birthday, say thanks or treat someone special.

You can use it for breakfast or lunch made with fresh, local ingredients, prepared by FareStart chefs alongside students in our job training programs. Every meal helps students build skills and confidence.

Give the gift of good food that does good, too: https://order.toasttab.com/egiftcards/farestart-restaurant-700-virginia-street

From the first course to the last, Chef Ethan Stowell of Cut Club Seattle and Good Table Hospitality brought his talents back to the FareStart kitchen for Guest Chef Night.

FareStart students had the chance to work alongside Chef Ethan throughout the evening, learning new techniques and gaining hands-on experience from one of Seattle’s most accomplished chefs.

We were also glad to welcome a volunteer server group from Deloitte, a dedicated FareStart supporter that has shown up for our mission in countless ways over the years. Thank you to our longtime volunteers who continue to make Guest Chef Night possible, and to our sponsors Wells Fargo and US Foods for helping support these special evenings.

If Guest Chef Night is on your fall calendar, don’t wait too long to make your reservation. Only a few times remain for some upcoming dinners. Grab your tickets before they’re gone: https://www.farestart.org/dining/guest-chef-night/

What does a year of growth and momentum look like at FareStart?

In 2025, 36% more adults and youth enrolled in our job training programs, 61% more students graduated, and employment placements and promotions increased by 102%.

The impact extended beyond job training. FareStart distributed 532,898 nutritious meals across the Seattle area, and 1,204 volunteers contributed 13,790 hours to support our work.

Each number reflects people learning new skills, building experience, contributing to their communities and working toward what comes next.

We’re grateful to the students, volunteers, partners, donors, staff, diners and other supporters who make this work possible.

Explore our 2025 Impact Report to see more of the progress, partnerships and people behind the numbers.

https://www.farestart.org/about/reports-financials/

September tastes like the start of fall.

Dig into our vegetarian Mushroom Leek Quiche & Salad, then sip Quinn’s Wizard Winter—a twist on the caramel macchiato with lavender and cinnamon.

Come by FareStart Restaurant and enjoy them throughout the month.

Today, September 7, the FareStart Restaurant, FareStart Café, offices and job training programs will be closed, but meals will continue going out to the community.

We’ll be back open Tuesday at 7 a.m. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or a beverage while supporting FareStart students.

Last week, we welcomed a new cohort of students to FareStart—and we’re already accepting applications for future cohorts.

Starting something new can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure you’re ready. One FareStart student shared:

“You might think that you’re not prepared for what you’re going to take on in the program, but they really do work step by step on the smallest things, making sure that you are comfortable going to the next step.”

FareStart’s job training programs are designed to help students build skills and confidence over time, with support along the way.

Know someone who could benefit from a program like FareStart? Share this post with them. Applications are open for future cohorts.

Click here to learn more: https://www.farestart.org/job-training/