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Food Pathways Program

We will support you on your journey as you pursue new career pathways in and beyond the food service industry.

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On-the-Job Training

Learn how to prepare meals to feed our community while you train for a new career pathway within and beyond the food industry. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to give your best every day. Be willing to learn, stay with the program, and work hard. If you don’t give up, neither will we.

Here's how we'll support you

We will help you every step of the way:

  • 12 weeks of free hands-on culinary training, including food safety, recipe planning and prep
  • Case management and support with basic needs, including mental health and transportation
  • Computer and financial literacy training with a laptop provided
  • Job preparedness training, including resume-building, job search, and interview practice
  • Weekly cash stipend
Apply now

Minimum program requirements

  • 18+ years of age
  • Low-income and facing barriers to employment
  • Ability to train Mon. – Fri., 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Commitment to FareStart’s substance-free policy
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Evidence of a King County address

While these are the minimum qualifications, other criteria may also factor into eligibility determinations.

Enrollment process

  • Application and ID verification
  • Phone interview
  • Background check and work authorization verification
  • In-person interview
  • Decision determined
Interested? Contact Us

" I have a very colorful background, and I didn’t know where I was going to go when I was incarcerated. But then I found FareStart. Everyone here and the program has changed my life. I cannot say enough good things about FareStart. "

- Food Pathways Graduate

" FareStart has given me a chance. They see me as a person. They don’t see me as damaged goods. I have more respect for myself now. I just want to be a better person. "

- Food Pathways Graduate

" FareStart made me feel right at home. You eliminated any anxiety I had about transitioning back into society. You were always there, always asking me how I felt, if I needed anything. "

- Food Pathways Graduate

Our Students Are Successful

Our Food Pathways Program is growing, with more and more students enrolling and successfully completing on-the-job training in our kitchens.

126

students enrolled

Last year, over 125 students enrolled in the Food Pathways Program.

$22.28

starting wage

The average starting wage of Food Pathway Program graduates was over $22 an hour in 2025.

82%

graduation increase

There was an 82% increase in Food Pathway Program graduates who obtained jobs last year.

Stories

Hear from some of our graduates about their experiences at FareStart:

 If you are still unsure if the Food Pathways Program is right for you, contact us and we will talk about it together.

We are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday – Friday and would be happy to help you.

Call us at 206.787.1502 or email us at enroll@farestart.org.

How you can help

There are many ways to support our mission. With your help, FareStart is transforming lives, disrupting poverty and nourishing communities through food, life skills and job training.

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