In 2010, Hopelink led an effort to research community awareness of and attitudes towards local areas of food insecurity. The results led to the formation of an intriguing model of engagement and action later to be called the Nourishing Networks.

After learning of the extent of food insecurity among the children within the communities, those involved in the first Nourishing Networks groups developed a profound sense of ownership of resolving this issue. These newly formed networks brought together several hundred people from diverse sectors and cultures sharing their ideas, experience, resources, as well as existing work to help leverage the energies of the community in new and deeply personal ways. Connecting people who want to help with people who need help - in ways never before possible. And it worked!

Nourishing Networks became an independent entity in July 2012, and left Hopelink, where it was officially founded, and The Center for Ethical Leadership became Nourishing Networks fiscal sponsor and partner. In 2014, Nourishing Networks became an official organization under the name Nourishing Networks Central, later changing it’s name to the Nourishing Networks Consortium, which is a 501(C)(3) located in Bellevue, WA. consisting of 12 volunteer Board Members.

Nourishing Networks groups are currently located in Bellevue, Issaquah/Sammamish, Renton, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell/Kenmore, and Woodinville. The NNC vision is to replicate the model of what a Nourishing Network group is, and how it works, in every community throughout the country, and network them together, thus unleashing the full power of passionate volunteers, service agencies, neighborhood associations, faith communities, government organizations, and resource providers across the network, increasing their impact and efficiencies wherever they are located.