4Roots Mission:
Unearthing the Power of Food to Build Healthy Communities
About 4Roots
4Roots is a visionary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 and dedicated to transforming how communities think about, access, and interact with food. Rooted in the belief that food is central to the health of individuals, communities, and the planet, 4Roots serves as a catalyst for systemic change, addressing challenges in agriculture, education, sustainability, and social equity. Aimed at uniting communities in building a healthier, more sustainable food system, 4Roots cultivates connections between people, land, and resources, fostering a future where everyone has access to fresh, nutritious, and ethically produced food.
Explore the Future 4Roots Campus
Located in the heart of Orlando’s Packing District, just two miles from downtown, the 4Roots Farm Campus is a 40-acre urban farm dedicated to shaping the future of food production, sustainability, and nutrition-based healthcare. Showcasing cutting-edge advancements in agriculture, the campus fosters innovation in sustainability, health and wellness, education, culinary arts, medicine, technology, and regenerative farming practices. By uniting farmers, educators, healthcare professionals, scientists, and community leaders, 4Roots serves as a dynamic living laboratory—an inspiring model for regenerative food systems and forward-thinking agricultural practices.
The Farm Campus is being developed in multiple phases. With the completion of Phase One, the campus now features the Education Center with flexible, lab-style classrooms, a State-of-the-Art Hydroponic Greenhouse with a variety of demonstration growing systems, Box Gardens, a Soil-Based Regenerative Field Garden, and Edible Landscaping. These facilities support hands-on learning through classes, workshops, and training programs in soil science, plant science, regenerative farming, hydroponics, urban agriculture, composting, and culinary arts.
Education Center
The Education Center is the first building in Florida designed to meet the Petal Certification under the Living Building Challenge and stands as a pioneering model of regenerative design. Built to give back more energy and water than it consumes, this advanced facility is net-positive in both energy and water, generating at least 5% surplus energy to be distributed through the Farm Campus or the Orlando Utilities Commission microgrid. Featuring four adaptable classrooms, the space can be expanded for larger gatherings for students and community members.
Event Lawn
This 21,000 square foot green space will be embedded in the center of the campus and serve as a beautiful venue for weekly farmers markets as well as other engaging community events.
Greenhouse
The 18,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse is transforming the future of sustainable food production, providing tens of thousands of pounds of fresh, pesticide-free produce each week. Built on regenerative principles, the greenhouse is designed to work in harmony with nature, reducing water usage, improving soil health, and maximizing crop yields. By showcasing innovative, eco-friendly farming techniques, the greenhouse serves as both a model for sustainable agriculture and an educational hub, inspiring all to embrace responsible food production for a healthier planet and community.
Field Gardens
The field gardens will host over 100 varieties of seasonal crops, demonstrating regenerative agriculture principles that support healthy soils, healthy produce, and healthy people.
Permaculture Forest
The future permaculture forest, will be home to over 150 plant species, and stand as a living testament to regenerative agriculture, demonstrating how ecosystems can be restored and sustained in harmony with nature. Designed to heal the land while producing nutrient-rich food, this diverse landscape will integrate companion planting, soil regeneration techniques, and water conservation strategies that mimic natural ecosystems. A quarter-mile walking path will wind through the lush food forest, where visitors can discover over 75 edible plant varieties.
Apiary & Box Gardens
The apiary will be home to our bees and used to educate visitors about how these pollinators are a crucial component of our food system. The box gardens will be scattered throughout the farm campus to showcase this popular urban farming style and educate visitors about seasonal planting suggestions for small-scale farmers.
Barn
The barn is currently being built adjacent to the field gardens and will house equipment for growing and maintaining the gardens. Thoughtfully integrated into the campus design, the surrounding area invites visitors to explore, play, and engage with the natural landscape.
Restaurant
The future 5,000 sq. foot restaurant will truly bring the table to the farm, sourcing fresh produce directly from the 4Roots Farm Campus and from local partner farms, ensuring the freshest, highest-quality ingredients in every dish. The menu is being developed in partnership with Chef Mike Collantes, a distinguished chef with over 20 years in the hospitality industry, who earned his first Michelin star in 2022, just a year after opening Soseki Modern Omakase in Orlando, FL. We look forward to celebrating locally grown ingredients through innovative and delicious cuisine.
Event Center
The future event center will feature a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen and accommodate up to 500 seated guests for mission-aligned conferences, weddings, and special events. For dining experiences, this space will be able to comfortably host up to 300 guests.
Pavilion
This future 3,200 square-foot outdoor pavilion will include an AV system for hosting speaker series, demonstrations, art performances, and more.
Farmstand Market
This permanent farmer’s boutique will boast shops offering coffee, honey, flowers and more. Once open, the market will offer casual farm-fresh menu fare, as well as unique food and farming items for purchase.
Cottages
The future guest houses will be nestled near the back of the campus and host fellows, speakers, and interns while they are working on the campus.
Discovery Center
The future Discovery Center will welcome guests to the campus along with a museum focused on celebrating the history of Florida farming while highlighting innovation in Agriculture, regional art and artists, international sustainability practices and creating a showcase for Florida Entrepreneurs.
Culinary Health Institute
The Culinary Health Institute serves to promote the principle of using food as medicine through collaborative research, education of healthcare professionals, and clinical treatment of patients. It is led by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Monica Aggarwal, working alongside national healthcare systems, insurances providers, and other invested partners.
Impact at a Glance
2,261,925
served meals
1,375,360
pounds of rescued produce
2,734
agriculture students supported annually
Help Us Grow
Every meal served, every pound of produce distributed, and every student inspired at the 4Roots Farm Campus is a testament to what is possible when individuals, organizations, and communities come together with a shared purpose. Join us and make a tax-deductible gift to help activate the transformative power of the 4Roots Farm to shape a healthier, more equitable world.
