For Immediate Release
DENVER, CO – July 11, 2024 – Fresh Food Connect, a leading nonprofit working to increase access to fresh produce and reduce food waste, is pleased to invite home gardeners to help alleviate hunger among Denver children this summer. For students who rely on school lunches during the school year, summer can be an especially difficult time to secure fresh, nutritious meals.
Empowering communities, reducing waste and feeding families
Fresh Food Connect’s mission is to harness the power of home and community gardens to fight food insecurity. The organization’s free mobile app connects gardeners with surplus produce with local hunger relief programs. This summer, Fresh Food Connect is stepping up its efforts to ensure Denver’s children have access to the nutritious foods they need to thrive.
“We believe every child has a right to fresh, healthy food,” said Kayla Birdsong, CEO of Fresh Food Connect. “Summer is a critical time to fill the gap when school is out and children miss their regular school lunches. Local gardeners can make a meaningful difference by donating their home-grown produce to support children and their families.”
Collaboration with local partners
In Denver, Fresh Food Connect partners with a network of 13 local organizations, including Denver Food Rescue, Kaizen Food Share, and Project Worthmore, to collect and redistribute home-grown produce. These partnerships are critical in identifying areas most in need and distributing fresh produce to children across the city.
“The delivery of locally grown produce through Fresh Food Connect will help us provide more families with fresh, healthy foods that are essential for children’s development,” said Thai Nguyen, founder and executive director of Kaizen Food Share. “We are proud to be part of this partnership and look forward to serving our communities together.”
Call to action
Fresh Food Connect is calling on Denver-area gardeners to come together to help the 13% of Denver children who are food insecure this summer. Whether it’s a basket of tomatoes or a bushel of apples, every donation makes a big impact, especially when many gardeners across the city participate.
“We are stronger together,” said Carmen Alcantara, Denver program manager for Fresh Food Connect. “By working together as a community, we can provide fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to Denver’s children this summer. We encourage your participation in helping provide the nutritious food that all children deserve.”
For more information about Fresh Food Connect’s free mobile app for produce donations, visit www.freshfoodconnect.org or contact Carmen at carmen@freshfoodconnect.org.
About Fresh Food Connect
Fresh Food Connect is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and increasing access to fresh produce. By connecting gardeners with surplus produce with local hunger relief agencies, Fresh Food Connect helps eliminate food insecurity in their communities. Their innovative approach leverages technology to make it easy for individuals to donate their surplus garden produce, ensuring fresh, healthy food reaches the community members who need it most.
contact address:
Naomi Hansen, Marketing Director
Fresh Food Connect
naomi@freshfoodconnect.org
Fresh Food Connect
