Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional food-security coalition lays out strategy; Harvest for Hunger awarded HHS lease, strategic planning and Emma’s Store feasibility continue
Summary
Sam Lander Casper and Pitkin County human services staff summarized years of regional work on food security, cited a CSU household survey and a food-hub feasibility study, and reported that Harvest for Hunger has been awarded a lease at the county HHS building to run a stigma-free pantry.
Pitkin County staff and regional partners briefed the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 about a multi-year effort to improve food security across the mountain region, including a feasibility study for a regional food hub, a community survey by Colorado State University and steps to scale distribution and local-food purchasing.
Sam Lander Casper, deputy director of Pitkin County Human Services, summarized the county’s and partners’ timeline: earlier food-security summits led to the Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA) and then to a more formal Mountain Coalition for Food Nutrition Security (McFINS). Over the past several years the coalition secured grants for outreach, local food purchases and distribution and worked with partners to map services and identify service gaps.
Nut graf: The coalition is moving from planning and data collection into tactical strategic planning: an online GIS map of food-service locations and service radiuses is in development; Harvest for Hunger will operate a stigma-free pantry out of an annual lease at the HHS building; and a traffic study for the potential reuse of the Emma’s Store site has been funded to inform next steps.
What partners and staff reported
- Feasibility and planning: Pitkin County and partners commissioned a food-hub feasibility study and, in 2021–23, secured Local Foods Purchasing Agreement (LFPA) funds to buy local food for distribution to older adults and WIC families; that work included a partnership with 2 Roots Farm to run an older-adult/WIC CSA.
- CSU research: Colorado State University conducted a statistically relevant household survey in the county area, interviewing 1,076 people to produce localized food-security data. CSU is continuing with a “photovoice” project and pursuing potential USDA funding to support local efforts.
- Distribution and facility updates: Lift Up purchased a permanent facility in Glenwood Springs that will function as a distribution hub for partners. Harvest for Hunger has been awarded an annual lease for space at the county HHS building to operate a stigma-free pantry open weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Staff told the board Harvest for Hunger will expand distribution hours.
- Mapping and gap analysis: The McFINS coalition has mapped existing services in GIS, plotting service zones and times to identify geographic and schedule gaps in access. Staff said the online map will be a public resource and will accompany strategic planning that includes budget estimates and funding strategies.
- Emma’s Store feasibility and traffic study: The county obtained Colorado Historical Society funding for a vehicle-traffic study at the Emma’s Store site to determine whether the site could support hub operations; the feasibility study done by new-venture advisors and local funders produced options that will guide next steps.
Next steps and funding
Staff said McFINS will continue tactical strategic planning to produce program-level budgets, funding plans and a prioritized action list. Staff also noted potential federal funding risks (SNAP program changes and other grant uncertainties) that increase urgency for a coordinated strategy and diversified local funding. The county will return to the board with the completed gap analysis and a recommended funding approach; staff cautioned that funders will likely be more limited going forward and that the coalition’s ask, if any, will aim for coordination rather than duplication of existing services.
Clarifying details
- CSU household survey sample size: 1,076 people (statistically relevant sample for local reporting). - Harvest for Hunger: awarded annual lease for HHS space; operating hours planned Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. - 2 Roots Farm CSA: program supported by LFPA local-food purchasing funds for older adults and WIC families.
Ending: The coalition will deliver the online GIS gap map and tactical strategic plan with budget estimates; staff said the board can expect funding requests or recommendations once the plan clarifies program-level costs and gaps.
Speakers: Sam Lander Casper — Deputy Director, Human Services (government) Lindsay Maich — Human Services Director (government) Representatives cited: Lift Up; Harvest for Hunger; 2 Roots Farm; Colorado State University (partners)
