Harvesting Solutions.
Cultivating Hope.
Building the systems that move essential resources to the people who need them.
Red Root Collaborative designs strategies, logistics, and partnerships that help communities access what they need — from local food to essential goods. Rooted in food systems. Built for impact beyond them.
"I've spent nearly two decades building the relationships, systems, and strategies that move essential resources to communities across New England. Whether you're a farm ready to scale, an institution navigating procurement, or an organization tackling a complex distribution challenge — I bring the experience to get it done."
Melissa Persico, founder
From Strategy to Impact — Here's How We Work
Diagnose the real problem
Most food system challenges aren't what they appear to be on the surface. We start by going deep — understanding your operation, your constraints, and where the real opportunities are hiding.
Build a strategy that actually works
No generic playbooks. We design custom strategies rooted in real relationships, real market knowledge, and real-world logistics — then map a clear path to get there.
Move the product. Get it done.
Strategy means nothing without execution. We roll up our sleeves alongside you — connecting buyers and producers, navigating funding, and making sure things actually move.
Build systems that outlast us
The goal is never dependency — it's lasting impact. We build the tools, relationships, and infrastructure so your operation keeps growing long after our work together is done.
Our Core Services
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We work with schools, hospitals, food hubs, and institutions to build smarter, more sustainable local procurement systems. From identifying the right local vendors to navigating state and federal funding, we turn local food goals into operational reality.
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We help farms, food businesses, nonprofits, and institutions find the right funding and go after it strategically. From identifying opportunities to writing compelling proposals, we guide you through the process start to finish — with honest, ethical pricing that meets you where you are.
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Whether you're hosting students, donors, press, or policymakers, we design immersive local food experiences that inspire action. Farm visits, tastings, educational programming, and media support — all tailored to your audience and goals.
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We train foodservice staff, kitchen managers, and institutional buyers to source and serve local food with confidence. Sessions are practical, engaging, and rooted in real operational needs — available virtually or in person.
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Built for farms and food businesses ready to grow beyond farmers markets and into wholesale and institutional channels. We help you get your pricing, packaging, and pitch right — and then open the doors to the buyers who matter.ription
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Sometimes the most important work goes beyond food. We bring the same systems thinking and logistics expertise to broader community distribution challenges — from essential goods to statewide access programs. If you're tackling a complex distribution problem, let's talk.
Straightforward Projects.
Real Outcomes. No Hourly Surprises.
WORK WITH US
Starter
$1,000 – $2,500
flat project fee
Best for organizations with a defined, bounded challenge that needs expert eyes and a clear deliverable.
Single strategy session + written plan
Vendor or buyer matchmaking
Grant research + proposal review
Staff training session
Partnership
$2,500 – $7,500
flat project fee
Best for farms, food businesses, or institutions ready to make a real move — scaling sales, launching a procurement program, or pursuing major funding.
Supply chain or institutional sales strategy
Full grant writing + submission support
Wholesale prep toolkit + buyer coaching
Logistics planning + partner outreach
Food tours + advocacy event planning
Systems
custom project quote
Best for multi-stakeholder initiatives, government contracts, statewide programs, or organizations needing strategic support over time.
Statewide or regional logistics design
Multi-partner coordination + facilitation
Community logistics beyond food
Embedded strategic support
Full grant strategy + policy advocacy
Grant Writing
Grant writing is high-stakes work that deserves transparent, ethical pricing. We never charge a percentage of the award — that's not how we operate. Instead, we meet you where you are.
Grassroots &
Small Orgs
Sliding scale
Reduced flat fee based on your budget and capacity. Because good work shouldn't only be for well-funded organizations.
Mid-Size Organizations
Flat project fee
A set price agreed upfront — covers research, writing, budget development, and submission support. No surprises.
Larger Institutions
Flat fee + success bonus
A fair base fee for the work, plus a one-time bonus if the grant is awarded. Shared risk, shared reward.
Not sure which fits? Let's figure it out together.
Every project starts with a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll talk through your goals, scope the work, and I'll tell you honestly whether I'm the right fit.
Sliding scale pricing available for BIPOC-led, women-led, and grassroots organizations. Cost is never a barrier — just ask.
Examples: Where Mission Meets Movement
Real results, built on real relationships. Here's what happens when strategy, logistics, and genuine commitment to community come together.
Chapter 1.
Transforming a local vegetable processor in 18 months
When a local vegetable processor needed to grow their institutional market presence, we built the strategy, opened the relationships, and executed the logistics to make it happen. The results speak for themselves — across every metric that matters.
137% growth in total sales
123% increase in product volume
169% increase in market reach across all New England states
140,000+ lbs of byproducts upcycled through new partnerships
100+ school districts engaged through local food campaigns
Chapter 2.
Nearly a decade driving growth at a regional distributor
Before Red Root, Melissa spent years on the inside of a major regional food distributor — building the institutional relationships, procurement strategies, and government contracts that shaped how local food moved across New England.
85% increase in school sales in just 2 years
8% reduction in procurement costs
500+ leads generated across two major food shows
200 new customers brought on through food show events
Chapter 3.
Current work — projects in motion
From halal meat in schools to statewide community logistics — here's what we're working on right now.
Expanding Institutional Halal Access
Toolkits for Farm to Institute Success
Technical assistance to organic farmers
Scaling Wild Blueberries with Maine Blueberry Farmers
Training materials for local food distributor
Statewide diaper pantry distribution strategy