Strengthening St Louis’ Local Food Systems.
The TGFM Foundation helps small farmers and food entrepreneurs grow and thrive by connecting them with the resources they need to flourish.
Our Mission
We support small farmers and local food businesses in the St. Louis region by providing grants and affordable financing that enable them to grow and build sustainable livelihoods and to weather unexpected setbacks.
We believe that investing in local food businesses strengthens communities, builds resilient economies, and expands access to fresh, locally produced food.
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
Our work includes:
- Providing grants to help farmers and food businesses launch or expand operations
- Offering zero-interest, flexible financing to support growth and stability
- Supporting equipment, infrastructure, and market access needs
- Providing emergency funding to help small farmers weather unexpected events
We focus on practical investments that create lasting impact for individual businesses and for the broader local food ecosystem.
The Need for Investment
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 but lack access to 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 competitors
While 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
We are committed to operating with integrity, accountability, and transparency.
As we grow, we will share updates on our programs, impact, and financials so our supporters can clearly see how their contributions are making a difference.
Be Part of the Work
Whether you’re a supporter, partner, or community member, you can help strengthen local food systems.