Local Foods to Local Families
Community Conservation Meets Pandemic Response
Agriculture is a main driver of the San Luis Valley’s economy yet food insecurity is rampant. In an average year, one in four people utilize the San Luis Valley’s Food Bank network. The already high demand for food assistance spiked in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic as the economic downturn affected many in our community.
As the San Luis Valley’s only local land trust, RiGHT felt a responsibility be a good community partner in this time of need and saw a niche for our strengths in fundraising, partnership building, and connection to local farmers and ranchers.
The idea: Use community partnerships to connect local families in need with locally grown and produced food.
The result: A program that was good for our community, our local economy, and the land.
In partnership with the High Valley Community Center, Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, Windsor Hotel and Restaurant, Valley Roots Food Hub and local agricultural producers and with funding from many generous individual donors and foundations, we launched the Local Farms to Local Families Program as a collaborative approach to food security during the pandemic.
Local Farms to Local Families…
supported local farmers and ranchers – the Valley’s best land stewards
supported local families – the backbone of the San Luis Valley’s way of life
supported local economies – the foundation for Valley communities
RESULTS BY THE NUMBERS
1,000 local families supplied with local meals, including:
· Low income families with children at home alone and/or without the school meals they rely upon
· Senior citizens with limited resources
· Alamosa homeless population
· People quarantined for Covid-19
At least 12 local businesses supported, including 10+ local farmers and ranchers
8 community partner organizations engaged
$20,000 in food resources given to families in need – 27% of funding raised from individual donors
A special thanks to Gates Family Foundation, Land Trust Alliance, Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley and the many individual donors who supported this program and helped to make it a success.
