Strengthening St Louis’s Local Food Systems.
The TGFM Foundation exists to help small farmers and food entrepreneurs grow and thrive by connecting them with the resources and community support they need to flourish.
Our Mission
We support small farmers and food businesses by providing critical resources, expanding access to markets, and building stronger connections between producers and the communities they serve.
Our goal is simple: make it easier for local food systems to succeed and for the people behind them to build sustainable, resilient livelihoods.
Our Story
The TGFM Foundation was born out of firsthand experience. The people behind the TGFM Foundation are the same people who founded the Tower Grove Farmers’ Markets.
We’ve seen the challenges up close. We’ve witnessed vendors navigating inconsistent income, dealing with natural disasters, and the logistical demands of running a small operation.
We’ve also seen what works. When the right support, structure, and community come together, small food businesses don’t just survive, they grow.
This foundation was created to build more of those opportunities and to make them accessible to more people.
What We Do
We provide grants and affordable financing to help small farmers and local food businesses expand, invest in their operations, and build sustainable livelihoods.
Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers facing small food entrepreneurs. We work to close that gap by investing directly in the people and businesses that strengthen local food systems.
Our work includes:
- Providing grants to help farmers and food businesses launch or expand operations
- Offering affordable, flexible financing to support growth and stability
- Supporting equipment, infrastructure, and market access needs
- Connecting recipients with resources, mentorship, and community network
We focus on practical investments that create lasting impact for individual businesses and for the broader local food ecosystem.
Why This Work Matters
Small farmers and local food businesses are essential to healthy communities—but access to capital remains one of their biggest barriers to growth.
Many farmers and food entrepreneurs have the skills, products, and demand—they just lack the financial resources to invest in equipment, infrastructure, and expansion.
Without that support, businesses often face:
- Limited ability to scale production or increase revenue
- Delayed or missed opportunities for growth
- Ongoing financial instability
- Increased pressure from larger, better-capitalized competitors
At the same time, communities are seeking:
- Fresh, locally grown food
- Stronger, more resilient local economies
- Transparent and sustainable food systems
We exist to bridge that gap by investing directly in the people and businesses that make local food systems work.
Our Commitment to Transparency
The TGFM Foundation exists to help small farmers and food entrepreneurs grow and thrive by connecting them with the resources and community support they need to flourish.
Be Part of the Work
Whether you’re a supporter, partner, or community member, you can help strengthen local food systems.
TGFM Foundation 