Is there a way to help people access food today AND build the local economy to strengthen communities for the future? Yes, absolutely! And it’s this kind of win-win thinking that many are using to address issues such as hunger – feeding people today and changing the system so that everyone can eat tomorrow.
Of course, there are many ways to do this. One way is by adding places where food pantries can get their food. In addition to donations, when food pantries have funds to purchase from local farms, people can get access to that fresh, nutritious food, and that community’s economy is strengthened.
Golden Food Pantry Assistance Grant
Golden is doing just that. A group spearheaded by Hunger Free Golden secured $25,000 from the City of Golden for food pantries to purchase food from farmers in Jefferson County.
From Hunger Free Golden, the overall goal of this project is “to increase the resiliency of our local food system, as well as the health and food/nutrition security of our community members by building partnerships between local food assistance providers and local farmers, producers, and ranchers. These partnerships will not only increase access to fresh, nutritious food for those who are most vulnerable, but will also contribute to longer term sustainability of Golden’s food assistance network, while supporting the local agricultural economy.”
We are excited to see the immediate and long-term benefits this program will make. Thank you to each organization who is integral to this pilot project:
- Food Pantries
- BGoldN Fresh Food Pantry
- Calvary Food Shelf
- Christian Action Guild
- Farms
- Acres Farm (Warren Tech)
- GoFarm
- Golden Acre Farm
- Golden Poultry and Meats
- Nelms Farm
Taking This Statewide
Hunger Free Colorado, along with so many individuals and organizations across the state, are working together to take this concept statewide. In 2019, through incredible advocacy from people throughout Colorado, $500,000 was secured for the Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program to help food pantries procure meat, dairy, and produce from Colorado farmers.
This legislative season, we are continuing to advocate to grow this to $10 million, which will create a robust fund that will create jobs, make sure people can get food through this pandemic, and set up a system that will help all Coloradans eat long-term.
What YOU Can Do Today
The team in Golden did their research to understand where the needs in their community are, connected with partners who are vital to this project, and advocated with the City of Golden to get funding to make it happen. If you want to make an impact, take some time to think about the systems that affect your community and how you can make win-win actions.
If you want to make a difference today, sign the support letter here and help us secure funding for the Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program!