About CARE_FTL
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
CARE_FTL is a community-rooted nonprofit building Food Equity Hubs—small, sustainable growing centers that bring hyperlocal produce, jobs, and opportunity directly to neighborhoods.
We empower families, youth, and local growers by using resource-efficient farming systems that use 95% less water, 90% less space, and grow clean, pesticide-free food year-round.
​
Our mission is simple:
Grow locally. Share fairly. Build resilience together.
CARE_FTL brings together educators, families, chefs, nonprofits, and local leaders to strengthen food security, spark workforce development in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and create a self-sustaining ecosystem where food stays in the community that grows it.
Our Story
CARE_FTL began with a simple belief: every community deserves access to fresh food grown close to home.
​
Founded by Otto Hernandez, an operations and environmental compliance specialist with years of experience in agriculture and food systems, CARE_FTL grew out of a desire to build something different from large tech farms and conventional agriculture.
​
Instead of overproducing or exporting food away from communities, we grow with the community—not over it.
Starting with small aeroponic installations in local schools and churches, CARE_FTL quickly gained support from families, teachers, chefs, and local nonprofits. With each new project, the vision became clearer:
​
-
Grow hyperlocal food
-
Support local farmers and businesses
-
Donate 15–20% of harvests to families in need
-
Train youth and adults for the $104B CEA workforce of the future
-
Build a food ecosystem that strengthens—not replaces—the community
​
Today, CARE_FTL is developing scalable Food Equity Hubs throughout Napa and beyond—each one designed to nourish, employ, and empower the neighborhood it serves.
.png)
