Ground Up started with a simple belief: every woman deserves a second chance — the chance to build a stable, meaningful life, and work should help make that possible.

But for many women and non-binary people navigating barriers to employment, work often looks very different. Competition, discrimination, and a lack of support can make it hard to land a job—let alone get ahead.

At Ground Up, we do things differently. We’re a food business built around people, where women overcoming adversity earn a paycheck while gaining the confidence, skills and experience needed to move toward self-sufficiency. Here, work isn’t just about clocking in—it’s about showing up and building something lasting.

Our model is rooted in the idea that businesses can—and should—be part of the solution. Instead of separating “job training” from “real work,” we bring them together inside our day-to-day operations. Every jar we make is part of a bigger purpose: creating pathways to stability, earning power, and community.

Through our six-month Apprenticeship Program, women step into a supportive, team-based environment where they gain hands-on experience, one-on-one coaching, and space to grow. Along the way, they build not just job skills, but confidence, consistency, and a sense of belonging—things that make long-term success possible.

We’ve seen what happens when people are given real opportunity inside a real business: they show up, grow, and lead. And in turn, our team becomes stronger, more connected, and more resilient. That’s the future we’re working toward—one where businesses invest in people, and everyone moves forward together.

Meet Judy

“I’ve learned to trust myself more and believe that I matter—and that what I have to say matters.”