Combating Hunger in Colorado

Nearly 1 in 4 households with children reported food hardship¹ and more than 25% of working families in Colorado do not have enough food to meet their basic needs².

Colorado has one of the fastest growing rates of childhood poverty in the nation. Between 2002 and 2010, the rate of child poverty increased 86% in the state.³ Children aged 0-5 are most at risk of living in homes without enough food.³

By transforming lawns into organic gardens, we can provide the produce to feed 120 Colorado families throughout the growing seasons. Using gardens as a classroom, participants learn sustainability, environmental awareness, healthy food practices, and how to combat obesity and other health issues associated with food hardships.

Problem 1- Food Scarcity

• In many urban neighborhoods, it is all too convenient to buy fast food and soda but nearly impossible to find fresh fruits and vegetables. These areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food are predominantly composed of low-income communities.⁴
• Convenience markets with sweet and salty snacks are frequently the main dietary source for residents of low-income, inner-city neighborhoods which leads to high obesity rates among these areas.⁴
• Research has shown that the presence of grocery stores selling fresh fruits and vegetables in a community helps residents maintain a healthy lifestyle.⁴
• Increasing access to nutritious food that is lower in fat and calories is a crucial interim step in helping poorer communities reduce their rate of chronic disease and improve the overall health of Coloradans.⁴

Our Solution

• By gaining the support of local residents, we can provide the access to fresh produce by growing it in the neighborhoods that have a lack of accessibility and need healthy food most.
• All of our food donated goes directly to the nearest local area in need from where it is grown.

Problem 2 – Food Insecurity

• Studies show that there is more than enough food to provide the World with enough nutrition to live a healthy life.⁵
• The cost of fresh produce and healthy food restricts families from being able to provide proper nutrition in their homes.⁴
• Even when provided with fresh fruits and vegetables, many at risk and low income households do not know how to prepare their food.

Our Solution

• By providing fresh produce to those in need through active local food banks, we can make sure that everything we grow goes to a good home.
• Through food education classes, we are able to give opportunity to teach people techniques of how to prepare and cook food. The provision of easy to follow recipes for the produce we give will reduce the need for pre-packaged unhealthy food and provide equal nutritional opportunity for entire households.
• Having gardening classes and providing resources to create their own gardens, low income households will be able to provide for themselves and start to be part of the independent sustainable process.