Hello (again), we are DCFAC!
Hi there, reader! If this is your first time on our website or the first time reading our blog, welcome! If you’ve been following and supporting our work for some time now, thank you. Regardless of how long you’ve been following our work, in light of the new year we want to (re)introduce ourselves to you and the work we do.
Did you know that an estimated one in three Coloradans is food insecure? Or that 43% of non-white and Latinx individuals struggle to put food on the table, compared to 29% of white Coloradans due to disparities exacerbated by the pandemic? It’s these facts found in Hunger Free Colorado’s April 2021 survey–and more–that a coalition like ours, the Denver Community Food Access Coalition, exists in Colorado.
Our community coalition is made up of nine Denver-metro organizations that focus on emergency food assistance, urban agriculture, long-term solutions, public education, community organizing and policy. As an entity, we strive to ensure that each and every family in the Denver-metro area has access to nutritious and delicious food, especially our most marginalized community members.
We’ve accomplished incredible work in our time so far, but we know that there’s so much work left to be done–and we look forward to continuing our work this new year. Of course, our work and reach is only possible with the help of our amazing community and supporters, and we hope you join our efforts in 2023 to make sure every single Coloradan has access to healthy food.
Here’s a little bit about each of our nine organizations, and how you can get involved with one (or all!) of us:
Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment
DDPHE is the city’s organization focused on the city’s public health agency. Food justice and public health are interconnected–having access to nutritious food is a health issue!
Denver Food Rescue
Denver Food Rescue does exactly what their name suggests–they rescue foods that would otherwise be thrown away and deliver them to Denver neighborhoods for distribution at No Cost Grocery Programs. Whether you prefer to bike or drive, you can volunteer to distribute food! Learn more here.
Denver Urban Gardens
DUG has been supporting Denver residents and families by creating neighborhood community gardens since 1985. To date, there are about 192 community gardens scattered throughout Metro Denver for the community to grow their own food. Want to be a Garden Leader in your own community or grow your own garden? Check out DUG’s always-up-to-date events and volunteer page.
The GrowHaus
The GrowHaus aims to cultivate community-driven food justice through education and food access. As an organization, they offer food distribution programming and educational opportunities related to growing and cooking food. Check them out!
Hunger Free Colorado
HFC is a statewide anti-hunger advocacy organization! In short, HFC connects people to food resources to meet existing needs and drives policy, systems, and social change to end hunger. Find out how to get involved!
Metro Caring
Metro Caring is one of Denver’s leading anti-hunger organizations. As an organization focused on movement building and addressing the community’s immediate need for food, they offer a wide range of programming. They have programs in Healthy Foods Access, Nutrition Education and Cooking Classes, ID Procurement, Urban Gardening and Agriculture, and Community Organizing and Development. Interested in volunteering?
Montbello Organizing Committee
Montbello Organizing Committee focuses on improving the lives of those who live in Montbello–one of the largest, but under-resourced neighborhoods in Denver. They tackle issues such as health and safety, social justice, and of course, food justice! Attend one of their upcoming events.
Re:Vision
Started in 2007, Re:Vision is led by an all-women of color leadership team who are re-envisioning and transforming what community development looks like in one of Denver’s most economically marginalized neighborhoods, Westwood. Writing a small blurb about their work doesn't do them justice, so take the time to read more about them here.
Sprout City Farms
Farms? In a city? You betcha. Sprout City Farms builds educational urban farms to “engage communities, strengthen neighborhood resiliency, and root farmers in the city.” They have four farms and each are platforms for education, health, food justice advocacy, and more. They have volunteer opportunities perfect for individuals who are seeking to give back and learn more about what it takes to be a farmer.