What is Back to the Roots?
Back to the Roots started as a humble organic urban mushroom farm in Oakland, CA, and has since blossomed into a national brand recognized as America’s leading organic gardening company. The heart of the project? Reconnecting everyone back to where their food actually comes from. Co-founders Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez are shaking up the gardening world by making it super easy for anyone, anywhere, to grow their own food. From seed to smile, Back to the Roots offers a full range of award-winning organic gardening products—think grow kits, heirloom seeds, peat-free soils, plant food, and raised beds. You can find their products online or in over 10,000 stores across the country.
Main Benefits of Back to the Roots
Why does this matter? Because it’s about more than just gardening—it’s about bringing fresh, organic ingredients into every home, no matter the space or skill level. Here are some key figures and facts that highlight the impact:
- Started as an urban mushroom farm in Oakland, CA
- Now a national brand available in 10,000+ stores
- Offers a wide range of organic gardening products
- Simple, sustainable kits designed for any living space
- Mission-driven to reconnect families and kids with food origins
Making Gardening Accessible to Everyone
Back to the Roots believes gardening shouldn’t be complicated or limited to those with a backyard or a green thumb. Their kits are designed to be simple and sustainable, so anyone can bring fresh ingredients into their home—whether it’s a tiny apartment or a sprawling backyard. The idea is to make growing food feel like a fun, magical experience that anyone can enjoy.
The Story Behind the Brand
Founded with the goal of helping people reconnect with nature, Back to the Roots is all about making it easy to grow your own food at home. The founders saw a need to bridge the gap between people and their food sources, and they answered it with innovative, user-friendly gardening kits. It’s a journey from seed to smile, where every product is crafted to inspire and empower.
Community and Education Through Gardening
One of the coolest parts of Back to the Roots is their #GrowOneGiveOne campaign. Here’s how it works: when you post a photo of what you grew using their kits, they donate a gardening kit plus curriculum to an elementary school classroom of your choice. It’s a beautiful way to spread the joy of gardening and education, helping kids learn where their food comes from and why it matters.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – promoting food security through home gardening
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – encouraging fresh, organic food consumption
- SDG 4: Quality Education – supporting educational programs in schools
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – fostering urban agriculture
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – promoting sustainable gardening practices
- SDG 15: Life on Land – encouraging connection with nature and biodiversity
Looking Ahead: Growing a Greener Future
Back to the Roots isn’t just about selling gardening products—it’s about sparking a movement. A movement to get America growing, one family and one kid at a time. By making gardening accessible, fun, and educational, they’re helping people everywhere experience the magic of growing their own food. No backyard? No problem. No green thumb? Even better. It’s all about reconnecting with nature and enjoying the journey from seed to smile.
