Today, the Colorado legislature passed legislation allocating $5 million to fund Colorado food pantries and food banks as food insecurity remains at a record high in Colorado. According to our recent survey, currently one in three Coloradans report being food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to nutritious food, and 45 percent of those with children are facing hunger. This legislation provides critical resources to meet the high need of Colorado communities, including the opportunity for food pantries and food banks to purchase food directly from local growers and producers.
“Food insecurity is at an all-time high in Colorado. We need programs like the Food Pantry Assistance Grant program to ensure there are healthier and locally procured foods for Colorado families. It is a smart investment for those facing hunger and for our local economy and farmers,” said Jason Harrison, community food systems manager at Hunger Free Colorado. “As Congress fails to act on more COVID-19 relief at the height of the pandemic, Colorado leaders are doing so. We appreciate them filling this hole in leadership during this crisis.”
This legislation comes at a necessary time for Colorado’s emergency food system. Federal relief through the United States Department of Agriculture is coming to an end this month, resulting in the loss of an estimated $6 million per month in food resources for Colorado.
“Constituents have shared with me about their struggle to afford food, as jobs and small businesses have been hit hard by this pandemic,” said Representative Lisa Cutter, a prime sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives with Representative Rod Bockenfeld, and Senators Tammy Story and Dennis Hisey in the Senate. “I am proud to be a part of the solution and to be strengthening vital programs to provide Coloradans with access to nutritious food to weather this storm.”
Legislation Overview
The legislation passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support. The Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program, HB20B-1003, allocates $5 million in funding for at least 150 food pantries and Colorado’s five food banks. In addition to direct food purchasing, grant recipients can use up to 20 percent of their award to cover food distribution costs, including transportation, home delivery, refrigeration and staffing.