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We work with partners to build a food system where everyone in Southwest Colorado has nourishing food, families and local food producers thrive, and our community leads the way!
Here's just some of what we got up to in 2025:
Ensuring local farmers thrive
As part of our work getting local food into schools, the Ignacio school district developed a relationship with Kerrigan Farms to source green chiles. Dining staff traveled to the farm to roast the chiles on site, then processed and froze them for use year round in their cafeterias!
In 2025:​​​​​​​​​​​​
Connecting producers with markets & resources
​​​​Our partnership with Mercy Regional Medical Center provides healthy local food to healthcare workers, creates reliable markets for farmers and ranchers, and supports food security by donating unclaimed food. ​
​​​We help local food producers take advantage of grants and programs to improve their infrastructure and production capacity.
One farmer we helped apply for funding was able to buy a much needed new delivery van to transport their fresh produce to local grocery stores and farmers markets.
Bringing stakeholders from across the food system together
​to identify and solve problems, share ideas and best practices, and work together.​​
Increasing access to food in rural communities
We help small grocers get the equipment and technology they need to offer more healthy, local, affordable food.
In 2025, 6 small farmers and rural, independent grocery stores received $163,563 in funding to increase access to healthy food in low income, low access communities.​
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Zuma Natural Foods in Mancos installed a new point of sale system in their market, vastly improving the shopping experience for customers and employees!
In 2025 we:
Helped start new food pantries in Rico and Towoac, 2 communities that previously had none...
When the government didn’t release $2 million worth of SNAP food assistance benefits in November 2025, we stood up a regional emergency response to ensure that 12,000 of our region’s residents didn't go without food, and small grocers didn’t go out of business.
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Over 160 partners gathered together to coordinate fundraising, food distribution, setting up warehouses, building spreadsheets, and more.
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Together we raised and distributed $512,000 to five counties and two tribes.
Advancing policy that works for the people
We work to influence policy so we can all have access to food that nourishes our wellbeing. We were one of eight groups that designed and helped pass Healthy School Meals for All, including Propositions LL & MM.
Solving the root causes of food insecurity
Building community power​​​
​Our Voces de Comunidad workgroup trains Latina leaders so power is in the hands of the people, and our food system is truly community-led.
Members of Voces de Comunidad are now serving in positions of power in our community, like County and housing advisory councils, after completing our leadership trainings.
In 2025, Mayra Gallardo, a member of the workgroup, was one of 22 Coloradans awarded a scholarship by Conservation Colorado to deepen her leadership skills in the public sector. This six-month program trains people to serve on local and state boards and commissions that are responsible for making policy decisions.
Increasing household financial wellbeing​​
Arely Sánchez is the owner of Pupusería Torogoz, a vibrant local business that’s bringing authentic Salvadoran flavors to Southwest Colorado.
From selling homemade pupusas to opening a brick-and-mortar, Arely built her business with support from our Food Business Workgroup. With the help of shared kitchens, bilingual business navigation, Spanish-language food safety certification, seed funding, and partnerships across our community, her vision became a thriving local food business.
When entrepreneurs like Arely succeed, our whole community wins: more access to good food, stronger financial stability, and real power over food choices.
Olga Araujo is a former teacher from Peru who cares for 3 young children so their parents can work, earn steady incomes, and put nourishing food on the table.
When our community talked about food security, one message was clear: childcare is essential. Parents can’t earn without it, and behind the scenes is a network of friends, family members, and neighbors providing care that’s often unpaid and unsupported.
Through our partnerships, we help caregivers like Olga access training and financial support. With our help, 23 local caregivers claimed the $12,000 Colorado Child Care Worker Tax Credit, completed CPR and First Aid training in Spanish, and are building toward stronger support through the Rural Colorado Care Network in 2026.
Our Team is Growing!
Investing in boots on the ground: in 2025 we hired a Project Weaver and a Rural Food Access Coordinator
In 2026, we’ll keep developing:
Policy work, business incubation, implementation of Healthy School Meals for All legislation, and more!
We’re building a hub for food and community!
When it comes to moving food around the state, Southwest Colorado is hard to get in and out of. Our updated facility will help connect our local food producers and pantries to statewide markets. This building will be home to critical food storage infrastructure, flexible gathering and teaching space, a childcare nook, plus office & technology space to share with our community!
What's Next?
Thank You To Our Funders!
