Ron Finley Project - Plant Some Money
Plant Some Money
Ron Finley Project
Recognition: Cannes 1 x Bronze, 1 x Shortlist LIA 2 x Bronze One Show 1 x Merit CLIO 1 x Shortlist
The Plant Some Money campaign, is a national gardening initiative we created together with renowned fresh-food activist Ron Finley, known as the Gangsta Gardener. More than 20 million Americans live in food deserts with limited access to fresh produce. Many of these food deserts are in low-income communities that can't afford organic food. And with inflation peaking, for many, the only affordable option is junk food.
That's why we helped them start a financial food revolution by giving them bills to plant and grow their own fresh produce. By using dollar bills as the medium, not only are we providing people with a source of fresh, healthy produce, but also teaching them about the value of money and the importance of investing in their own well-being.
To bring awareness we went to D.C. and planted the first bills in front of the Federal Reserve building.
After that we distributed Ron Finley's money.
The bills were printed in compostable material with organic seeds on it that grows into delicious fresh food.
The dollar amount of each bill represents the total money worth of produce:
$20 worth of rainbow carrots, $100 of collard greens, and $150 of cherry tomatoes and arugula.
We invited Americans living in food deserts, and everyone else, to join the food revolution.
Join the movement at
plantsomemoney.com
Ron Finley at the “Last March for Food” giving a speech before initiating a 3 mile march – the average distance people who live in a food desert needs to travel to buy a fresh produce.
// luismarquesphoto.com
The march started at Anacostia Park, in Ward 8 one of the food deserts in DC, and end up at the Constitution Gardens where Ron Finley planted the first bills in front of the Federal Reserve building to remind low-income communities they don’t need the government help to get access to fresh food.
// luismarquesphoto.com
Ron Finley leading the food revolution at the Constitution Gardens in Washington D.C.
// luismarquesphoto.com
People marching to end food injustice in America on the streets of Washington, D.C.
// luismarquesphoto.com
A kid holding a sign at the Last March for Food demanding to get easier access to fresh produce.
// luismarquesphoto.com
Ron Finley, the gangster gardener, at the Constitution Gardens in D.C. in front of the Federal Reserve building about to plant the first Ron Finley currency. These biodegradable bills once planted on soil can actually grows into fresh produce.
// luismarquesphoto.com
A march goer planting Ron Finley money at the Constitution Gardens in D.C.
// luismarquesphoto.com
The seed bills, printed in an edition of 2000, matches normal U.S. currency included 1) a paper weight matching U.S. dollar bills; 2) a metallic foil stamp on the dollar value; 3) A hologram strip to verify authenticity ran down the bill (patterned with small vegetables); and 4) a unique serial number stamped on the back of each bill.
Case Study:
This project started proactively in Los Angeles. We wanted to use our creative super powers to help a greater cause. A few ideas back and forth brought Ron Finley to BBDO LA’s as its first official pro-bono client. It took an entire village of resilient awesome people and 730+ days to bring it to life.
Made with friends:
CD: Luis Marques, John Moeller, Julio D’Alfonso // AD: Emily Wu, Alex Zermeno CW: Brooke Feldman, Stuart Tierney
Head of Design: Fabiano de Queiroz Tatu // Design Director: Tracy Hung
Senior Designers: Yong Lee, Patrick Cambria // Director of Photography: Brandon Colewidener
ECD: Rafael Gonzaga, David Povill, Dave Cuccinello // CCO: Matt Miller // Ron Finley, Miranda Akkari, Anna Farmer, Tricia Dino, Chloe Collins, Carlie Naftolin, Andrea Bass, Julien Lemoine, Julien Chaillou, Drew Carter and Kaitlyn Ha.