2020 Annual Report
January 2021October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020
Dear friends,
The vision for 4Roots evolved from the simple desire to nourish students in Orange County to a plan of building a revolutionary epicenter for sustainable and regenerative agriculture in the heart of Orlando. A plan well on its way begore the events of 2020 created challenges that ultimately took us a down an unforeseen path.
I am a believer that challenges create open doors for opportunities. The events of 2020 caused a temporary pause in our design and development efforts. It was during this quiet time what we discovered an opportunity to feed the very same students in an unforeseen and unexpected way. Feed the Need came to life amid uncertainty and challenge like none other many of us have ever faced.
With the support of farmers, restaurants, Orange County Public Schools, and partner organizations, we were able to use the assets we had to step in and provide critically needed meals to students throughout the state. Meals that utilized produce from partner farmers that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Ironically, through Feed the Need, we were able to accelerate fundraising, construction, and giving back with a further reach and at a greater capacity than we ever imagined. Truly, God can use any situation to His glory.
The growth we experienced during these challenging times simply heightens my anticipation for the years to come. With the designs nearing completion and the site cleared, we are “shovel ready” and on the cusp of initiating construction on Phase I of our Farm Campus project.
Thank you for your undying support and prayers during our 2020 journey. Although the year was indeed difficult, we can look back with grateful hearts that the challenges faced were indeed blessings. I look forward to working for and with you in the coming years to see the dream of the Farm Campus come to life and the promise of unearthing the power of food to build healthy communities becomes a reality.
Blessings and Thank You,
The Farm Campus
Several major progressions in the development of the Farm Campus have been made this past year, beginning with the
execution of the lease between 4Roots and the City of Orlando. Supported through major grants from Dr. Phillips Charities and AdventHealth Foundation, conceptual plans for the entire site and architectural drawings for the first Educational Phase of the project were developed.
We have plans for 55,383 square feet of buildings designed for the Farm Campus and 3 acres of growing areas.
The support given by the City and specific community members is astounding! Our Princeton Street headquarters has begun growing lettuce in a shipping container to demonstrate our commitment to innovative farming. This was made possible through a generous gift from the Sistema family.
Feed The Need
The creation of Feed the Need (FTN) began with a call to
Board member Dr. Barbara Jenkins, Superintendent of
Orange County Public Schools, 4Roots offered to help feed
students during the lock-down. This phone call resulted in
the rescue and reuse of over 565,000 lbs of fresh produce
from Florida farmers. Produce that was otherwise destined
for waste, was rescued and proved to be key ingredients in
the 1.6 million meals served in six counties across the state.
A program that while serving so many, benefitted 4Roots
with tremendous brand awareness, funding, equipment
and supplies that would not have been received otherwise.
Due to the significant support received for FTN in 2020, we
are proud to share that the feedings continue in 2021.
People were not hungry because of COVID-19, the
pandemic simply made hunger more known throughout the
state. As long as funding continues to be available, 4Roots
will continue to serve meals to families in need.
With more than one million meals distributed across Florida, and with no end to COVID-19 in sight, Feed the Need is making a huge impact across our communities. I saw firsthand the sincere need and gratitude of people who received a warm, nutritious meal. It’s a little help, hope and encouragement during these trying times. I believe in the mission of Feed the Need, and I’m extremely proud of Regions’ support of it. John Bachman, Commercial and Industrial Banking Relationship Manager, Regions
Facts & Figures Of 2020
With the help of 7 active restaurant partners: 4Rivers, Social Catering & Events, Oceans 234, Agave Azul, Black Bean Deli, Hunger Street Tacos, and Swine & Sons
Feed the Need worked with 6 school systems: Broward, Gadsden, Leon, Orange, Hillsborough, and Osceola County
to serve 564,184 student meals and 1,082,638 community meals at 38 school sites
6 Florida farms donated $1.8 million worth of products to be distributed to those who needed it most
In response to this effort, 920 restaurants joined Feed the Need Restaurant Network. The restaurants in this network agreed to collect together and respond to future emergency relief efforts that may affect our communities.
Orange County Public School Farms
Since 2016, 4Roots has partnered with Orange County Public Schools with a mission to inspire students to think more deeply about where and how food is grown, while also giving the opportunity to consider a future career in food and farming.
We wanted to enhance this opportunity by building out horticulture facilities for Edgewater High School’s agriculture program. After raising $500,000 we were able to see the completion of a brand-new greenhouse, box gardens, and a processing center that is demonstrating both hydroponic and soil—based growing systems. All of which were finished in the summer and began to be used for the 2020 Fall semester. Approximately 200 students were able to experience these facilities. 4Roots expanded and improved growing spaces at Ocoee High School in 2018.
We are still growing this relationship. Plans for future expansion beyond the agriculture program are in place, by including engineering, computer science, and culinary programs, to build interdisciplinary connections. Future Edgewater students will witness firsthand how food connects us all.
Dear Friends,
Today we achieved our dream. All of the salads served at Ocoee HS were 100% from the Ocoee greenhouse. And the students were paid for the produce!
Thank you all for your help and support.
This is just one of those things that all of you needed to know.
Many, many thanks!
Laura Gilbert, Sr. Director, Food and Nutrition Services, Orange County Public Schools
Lease Signing
In July 2020, 4Roots signed a lease with the City of Orlando for 18-acres in The Packing District to build the 4Roots Farm Campus. This property was granted to the City of Orlando by Dr. Phillips Charities, and 4Roots is grateful for the support of both entities in laying the foundation for this project. The farm campus will serve as a unique asset for our community for years to come as we invite children, families, students, farmers, teachers, and more to gather, experience, learn, and work together for a better food future.
Brand Work
As 4Roots is growing relationally, we have been intentional about taking care of our brand as well. Our vision has multiple moving parts as we strive to make impactful changes. We have worked at finding the right words to summarize the vision in a way that is easily digestible for a wide audience, while still maintaining the integrity of our mission.
Our leadership team worked with Brand Catalyst Partners to define our vision, core strategies and audiences for our Farm Campus. We came to the resulting language—4Roots is unearthing the power of food to build healthy communities—to apply to fundraising and general awareness efforts.
Special thanks to Kennan Burch of Brand Catalyst Partners for working with our team to help find and shape the language that makes our vision clear to share.
Friends of the Farm Dinner
4Roots’ John Rivers and Sara Elliott sharing the Farm Campus vision
In November 2019, 4Roots hosted its inaugural Friends of the Farm Dinner. We invited board members, local officials, and community stakeholders to gather in Central Park for an evening of food, music, and fellowship as we shared the vision for what is to become the 4Roots Farm Campus. Featured speakers included Barbara Jenkins, Dave Krepcho, and Commissioner Nikki Fried. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal prepared by renowned chefs Jerome Bocuse, Kevin Fonzo, Hari Pulapaka, Art Smith, and Norman Van Aken.
Guests toasting the reveal of the 4Roots Farm Campus
4Roots Café
September of 2020 we were able to host a fundraising event in anticipation of the December 2020 official opening of 4Roots Café and Food Hero Exhibit. The café, in partnership with the 4R Restaurant Group serves a variety of healthy menu items – sourced from 4Roots and other local farmers. The “Food Hero Exhibit” is an interactive learning experience that highlights the important role of “food heroes” in our community – such as farmers, chefs, beekeepers, and more.
Our Financial Statement
| Revenues and other support | |
|---|---|
| Grants | $1,522,161 |
| Fundraising events, net | $67,625 |
| Donations and private support | $1,170,892 |
| Other | $2,646 |
| In kind donations | $1,804,783 |
| Total revenues and other support | $4,568,107 |
| Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Program services | $2.353,969 |
| Supporting services | |
| Management and general | $664,425 |
| Fundraising | $916,227 |
| Total expenses | $3,270,196 |
| Change in net assets | $1,297,911 |
| Net assets | |
|---|---|
| Beginning of year | $31,334 |
| End of year | $1,329,245 |
Governing Board
| Des Cummings President, Creation Development Foundation | Greg McNeill Partner, Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. | Mayor Buddy Dyer City of Orlando | Kay Rawlins Community Relations, Orlando City Foundation |
| FJ Flynn Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, City | John Rivers CEO, 4Roots and 4R Restaurant Group | Robert Gordon President and CEO, Fresh Point | Tim Seneff President, National Christian Foundation |
| Sandy Hostetter Central Florida Regional President, Truist Financial Corporation | Tom Sittema Executive Chairman, Conversus, a StepStone Company | Tony Jenkins Central Region Market President, Florida Blue | Demetrius Summerville Director of Community Engagement, The Edward E. Haddock, Jr. Family Foundation |
| Mark Jones Senior Vice President, Orlando Health |
Advisory Board
| Doug Doudney Doudney Investment Co. | Dave Krepcho Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida | Amy Duda-Kinder Duda Farms | Jim Lewis 4R Signature Products |
| Nathan & Stacey Ecelbarger The Parable Foundation | Harvey Massey Massey Services | Rick Fletcher Environmental Services | Ben McLean III Uncle Matt’s Organic, McLean Family Farms |
| Jose Gonzalez Walt Disney Parks and Resorts | Doug McMahon Tavistock Group, NEXUS Luxury Collection | Dr. Terri Graham Valencia College | Eddy Moratin LIFT Orlando |
| Dr. Joel Hunter Community Resource Network | Joann Newman Orlando Science Center | Dr. Barbara Jenkins Orange County Public Schools | Paul Sohl Florida High Tech Corridor Council |
Campaign Steering Committee
| Waymon Armstrong Engineering & Computer Simulations | Greg McNeill Lowndes | Paul Baker Ligonier Ministries | Dianna Morgan Retired—Walt Disney World Company |
| Dick Batchelor Dick Batchelor Management Group | Kay Rawlins Orlando City Foundation | Kelly Cohen Southern Strategy Group | Monica Rivers 4Roots |
| Des Cummings Creation Development Foundation | Dayle Seneff Seneff Family Foundation | Sandy Hostetter Truist Financial Corporation | Shelly Shafer Common Good Capital |
| Bob Ingram Retired—Geneva School | Jayne Sittema Spouse—Riverbridge Capital | Clifford (Cliff) Marvin CareerSource Central FL | Kim Strong McKinnon Strong |
| Andrea Massey-Farrell Massey Foundation |
2020 Donors
| Dayle L. Seneff* Dr. Phillips Charities John and Monica Rivers* | $1,000,000+ |
| City of Orlando | $500,00 – $999,999 |
| 4R Restaurant Group Bank of America City of Winter Park Cows n’ Cabs FreshPoint, Inc Share Our Strength | $100,000 – $499,999 |
| ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Orlando City Soccer Walmart, Inc | $50,000 – $99,999 |
| A. Duda & Sons, Inc Douglas and Molly McMahon David and Tina Larue Eugene Braiden and Nancy Rex Fifth Generation, Inc James and LaFaye Lewis John and Laura Riley Massey Services Mead Family Foundation Mr. Waymon Armstrong Mrs. Lori Friedman Regions Bank | $10,000 – $49,999 |
| Ring Power Lift Truck Sandra Wilt SC Advisors, LLC St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Stephen and Rosanna Cahill Tito’s Handmade Vodka/Fifth Generation, Inc | $10,000 – $49,999 (cont.) |
| Drakesmith Family Foundation Edward E Haddock Jr Family Foundation Elliott-Sant’Anna Fund Engineering & Computer Simulations Kevin and April Powers Maher Law Firm Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Milam Mr. Larry E. Williams Republic National Distributing Company, LLC Roger Earnheart SWI-DE Holdings, LLC The Westbrook Legacy Supporting Organization, Inc Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A. | $5,000- $9,999 |
| 21st Century Spirits, LLC Allen & Kerri Sterchi Bill Rush Bob and Robin Miles Caroline Blydenburgh Dart Container Davos Brands | $1,000 – $4,999 |
| Enterprise Fleet Management FCCI – Gulf Cost Community Fund Florida Distributing Company George Kalogridis Gregory Snyder Howard Tucker IATSE Local 631 Jakub Hejl Jay and Yvonne Zavada John Koko Ken Kupp KYOCERA Document Solutions Southeast, LLC Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. Luxco McKinnon Strong, LLC Michael and Tina Tetrick Michael Mikkelson Orlando World Outreach Center, Inc Park Street Imports, LLC Red Gold, Inc Riboli Family Wines Rotary Club of Winter Park Charitable Foundation, Inc Rumchata Foundation, Inc. Saloon Spirits, LLC Scan Solutions, Inc Sheei Merriam Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Charitable Fund Stephen Fessler Sysco Corporation Tad Smith Todd and Cynthia Alley United Foundation of Central Florida Vince Hornton Wells Family Foundation, Inc William Dymond | $1,000 – $4,999 (cont.) |
