How One Nonprofit is Changing Colorado’s Local Food System

Photos courtesy of Mountain Roots

Since 2010, Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $415 million for thousands of Colorado nonprofits. With their iconic 24-hour drive coming up on Tuesday, December 5, locals in Colorado can take part in the giving season.

For those that care deeply about bettering Colorado’s local food system, Gunnison Valley-based Mountain Roots Food Project is one nonprofit that is making a big difference. Everything they do is to create a future of farming and food that is environmentally regenerative, economically viable and socially just.

Just last year, Mountain Roots grew 12,000 pounds of organic produce, going to food insecure households and CSA shareholders. They also distributed nearly 4,000 boxes of nutrient-dense, fresh food to food insecure households, amounting to over 30,000 pounds and implemented a NextGen | ReGen Beginner Farming Training that aimed at getting younger generations involved in farming, with a focus on regenerative agriculture and local food systems.

Mountain Roots also cultivated nine growing spaces including indoor hydroponic farms, two outdoor production farms, two school gardens and three community gardens and led 5,398 hours of hands-on gardening education. They taught 1,555 hours of school programming on topics from animal habitats to environmental stewardship to soil education.

In coming months, Mountain Roots has big plans to build a massive food hub to improve distribution channels for farmers, grow its farmer training program, increase its environmental and nutrition education for K-12 youth, and much more.

To support Colorado’s local food system and Mountain Roots this holiday season, visit here.