Sustainability Spotlight - March 2021 - Grow to Give

By: Laura McGarry, Sustainable Wheat Ridge member

Did you know that, according to Feeding America, the number of people experiencing food insecurity in the U.S. has increased from 37 million people to over 50 million people since COVID-19 hit? This number includes friends, families and children living in Wheat Ridge, with three Elementary Schools in Wheat Ridge having over 80% of students who qualified for the free and reduced-price lunch program, pre-COVID.

What can we do about food insecurity in Wheat Ridge?

In summer 2020, Sustainable Wheat Ridge partnered with Fresh Food Connect and The Family Tree to develop a pilot program to connect gardeners in Wheat Ridge with families experiencing food insecurity. Through this pilot, gardeners donated nearly 100 pounds of produce to the Family Tree who distributed the food to families living in its shelter. In 2021, Sustainable Wheat Ridge is planning to expand the program so that more gardeners participate, and more food is donated to families experiencing food insecurity. Here’s how you can get involved:

Grow extra food in your garden to donate: Whether you are a new or seasoned gardener, 2021 is a great year to grow more food, knowing that you can donate to your neighbors in need. Check out these awesome local gardening resources: CSU Extension—Yard and Garden Page; Garden Basics; and Garden CO Monthly Calendar. Or join the Wheat Ridge Gardeners Facebook page for more tips, tricks and neighborly support.
Download the Fresh Food Connect App: Sign up as a gardener living in 80033, and you’ll be directed to all the information you need about donation locations and times. Sustainable Wheat Ridge is hoping to add two new produce donation locations in spring 2021. Check the app. in May for full details.
Donate your extra produce: Following the donation instructions on the Fresh Food Connect app. you’ll be able to donate extra produce at sites in Wheat Ridge in May through October.

I want to do more!

If you’re interested in doing more to support folks experiencing food insecurity, consider supporting these other great organizations that are addressing food insecurity in Jefferson County:

Sustainability Updates

Intended to encourage direct citizen action, the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program provides support to neighborhoods to assist citizens in enhancing neighborhoods sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of residents. Neighbors volunteering in the program organize sustainability-related workshops, plan community events such as paint-recycling days and eco-fairs and implement larger neighborhood projects including tree-planting programs and neighborhood beautification activities. The Wheat Ridge Sustainable Neighborhoods program is accepting new neighborhood applications through March 22, 2021. If you are a Wheat Ridge resident and you would like to find out more about the application requirements or would like to apply, visit https://www.sustainableneighborhoodnetwork.org/wheatridge.
Thank you to everyone that participated in the Garden in a Box program in this year and received a $25 discount from Sustainable Wheat Ridge. Garden rebates sold out under a week! We are looking forward to bringing the rebate program back in 2022. You can still purchase a garden on Resource Central's website here.

More about Sustainable Wheat Ridge

Sustainable Wheat Ridge is a resident-led committee that was established in 2018 to provide the city with recommendations to enhance the environmental sustainability of Wheat Ridge. Included in these recommendations are goals around preserving Wheat Ridge’s agricultural history, connecting local producers and consumers, and establishing partnerships to support local food production. Check out the full Sustainable Wheat Ridge action plan here!