Programs

Partners. Programs. Progress.

We serve as a food-sourcing and distribution center for 32 counties in Colorado, as well as a portion of Gunnison County, and all of Wyoming. As the largest hunger-relief organization in the region, we are proud to be able to make our donations go further through partnerships and programs with expansive reach, high-level coordination, and local impact.

Hunger Relief Partners

We team up with over 800 Hunger Relief Partners across the region to get food to those who need it most. Partners include food pantries, nonprofits, and other hunger-relief organizations deeply committed to providing support to the most vulnerable individuals in their communities. By partnering with these organizations, we are able to combine the efficiency of scale with the effectiveness and engagement of a local agency.

How we help our partners.

Partners don’t purchase donated products.

While Food Bank of the Rockies (and most food banks across the country) have historically charged a small support fee for donated product, covering a fraction of the storage and distribution costs, Food Bank of the Rockies began waiving all fees in March 2020. Our hope is to continue to raise funds to cover those fees so our partners can make their always-tight budgets go further to help more people.

Free produce, bread, and donated products. Always.

We distribute produce, bread, and donated product free of charge to our Hunger Relief Partners in order to encourage more fresh food distribution and less spoilage. Each year, we give away millions of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables. Additionally, anything we receive through food drives and donations is always distributed with no fee.

How we directly serve communities.

Mobile Pantries

Need isn’t always conveniently located, which is why we deploy 70+ Mobile Pantries throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Each year, our Mobile Pantries provide millions of pounds of food to under-supported areas. Learn more about Mobile Pantries.

Food for Kids

We provide fresh, nutritious foods to children through our after-school and summer programs, Totes of Hope™, and other efforts aimed at giving growing minds and bodies what they need to succeed. Learn more about Food for Kids.

Culturally Responsive Food Initiative

The Culturally Responsive Food Initiative (CRFI) aims to overcome barriers of access experienced by clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through the program, Food Bank of the Rockies strives to equitably source and distribute as many culturally responsive foods to as many people as possible. Learn more about the Culturally Responsive Food Initiative.

FRESH Program

The FRESH Program distributes high-quality produce to our Hunger Relief Partners at no cost every month. Food Bank of the Rockies’ goal is to distribute 1.2 million pounds of fruit and vegetables a month so every individual in our community can access nutritious produce. Learn more about our FRESH Program.

Food Rescue

The Food Rescue program involves Food Bank of the Rockies working in tandem with our Hunger Relief Partners and retail partners to accomplish our goal of reducing food waste while providing clients with nutrient-rich food items. Learn more about our Food Rescue program.

Nutrition

In the face of rising food prices, healthcare costs, and limited or no access to fresh food, Food Bank of the Rockies recognizes the importance of connecting our neighbors with quality, nutritious foods. Our commitment to nourish people experiencing hunger aims to support the health and hope of the communities we serve. Learn more about our Nutrition Program.

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that assists income-qualifying individuals and families by providing money each month for the purchase of groceries and nutritional items. Food Bank of the Rockies assists clients with SNAP applications and seeks to advertise the benefits of this program. Learn more about SNAP.

Everyday Eats

Everyday Eats, also known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, provide 35 pounds of nutritious food each month to income-qualifying adults at least 60 years of age. The program is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service and is available at no cost to qualifying residents. Learn more about Everyday Eats.

Sustainability

Sustainability has been a core value at Food Bank of the Rockies since our beginnings in 1978. Today, we rescue food from 880+ retail stores and 55! food distributors and are committed to being as energy efficient and environmentally conscious as possible. At Food Bank of the Rockies, we believe that taking care of the planet is an essential part of our mission to nourish our communities. Learn more about our sustainability initiatives.

Rescuing food, reducing waste.

Through our Food Rescue Program, Food Bank of the Rockies collaborates with retail establishments across our region to pick up food donations that might otherwise go to waste. Every weekday, we send refrigerated trucks to grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, and other entities to gather this food. Our Hunger Relief Partners also assist us with retail food pick-ups in their local communities. None of this food has been served to patrons or otherwise compromised, and we maintain the strictest quality control measures throughout the donation and distribution process. Learn more about the Food Rescue Program here.

Donors in the food service and grocery industries are protected from liability by the state and federal Good Samaritan Acts.