Honoring FoodChain: 2025 Outstanding Business Award Recipient

The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) is proud to announce FoodChain as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Business Award for Excellence in Environmental Education.

FoodChain is transforming the way our communities understand, access, and connect with food. Since opening its doors in 2011, the Lexington-based nonprofit has used innovative aquaponics systems and hands-on environmental education to create a powerful model for sustainable, community-centered food systems.

At the heart of FoodChain’s mission is a belief that everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food and to understand where that food comes from. Their indoor aquaponics farm isn’t just an example of sustainable agriculture; it’s a living classroom where visitors can learn firsthand about closed-loop food systems, water conservation, and the environmental impact of growing food locally. Through tours, workshops, and youth programs, FoodChain has provided more than 70,000 hours of environmental education to the Lexington community.

But their impact doesn’t stop at education. FoodChain has made it a priority to pair food literacy with direct access to nutritious meals. By working closely with local partners and distributing fresh food directly to underserved neighborhoods, they have served more than one million meals to the community since their founding.

FoodChain’s work exemplifies the best of environmental education: rooted in community, centered on equity, and focused on real, sustainable solutions. They are not only growing food; they are growing awareness, connection, and the next generation of environmental stewards.

KAEE congratulates FoodChain on this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their leadership in building a healthier, more sustainable future for Kentucky.

We are honored to have the FoodChain and our 2025 award winners as part of the KAEE network. We look forward to celebrating them at this year’s KAEE Conference. Awards will be presented during our Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 14, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM CT at the Owensboro Convention Center.