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Author: barefoot-mayte

Transformation update: Early learnings from network survey and listening sessions

October 19, 2023

We recently wrapped up the second phase of the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger’s yearlong transformation and strategic planning process, where we gathered input from our community of network partners. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts about the Blueprint and how it can evolve to better serve our Colorado communities!

Now, we’re delving into all of the information with our strategic planning partners at Point b(e) Strategies to better understand what you, our community, collectively think the Blueprint should focus on as we look to the future. So far, the early findings are centered around five areas – much of which already align with the Blueprint’s vision of a Colorado where everyone who lives here can access the food they choose, where they want it, and when they need it.

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Creating a food system that works for everyone in Lake County

Greta Allen, the Blueprint’s Policy Director, recently visited Leadville to celebrate with some partners in Colorado’s Lake County. Located in a mountain valley of central Colorado, Leadville is the highest-elevation incorporated town in North America at 10,158 feet.

During her time there, Greta attended a full-day celebration of food and earth, with the collective goal of creating change to see food in abundance and in ways that allow everyone to eat healthy and be well. The event called “Future Town: Lettuce Gather” was hosted by Lake County Build a Generation (LCBAG) and Warm Cookies of the Revolution in September 2023. 

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In rural Colorado school district, fine and fun dining comes standard at school

In tiny Creede, where the school district is home to just 90 students, one man has a goal for himself and his team.

Malcolm Snead, the school’s nutrition director, wants his dining rooms to be considered the “best rural food service program in Colorado.” If you look at his menu and the response from the kids who come through the lunch line, he’s well on his way.

His menu features lentil stew sourced from Dove Creek, micro greens and hydroponically-grown lettuce from the San Luis Valley, and yak meat from a rancher in Saguache.

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Help advocate for more time to eat in Colorado schools 

October 5, 2023

The Blueprint and partners are advocating for more time to eat in Colorado schools – and seek advocacy support from other network partners! They’ll soon submit a letter to Colorado’s State Board of Education requesting that lunch periods be included in instructional time since research shows the positive impacts on student learning, development, and overall well-being. 

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Government shutdown averted, Rep. Pettersen advocates for full WIC funding 

October 4, 2023

While Congress avoided a government shutdown for at least 45 days, the full federal budget for 2024 remains up for debate and includes annual funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Last week, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen led Colorado’s Democratic delegation in urging Congressional leadership to fully fund WIC.

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Opening soon: Community grant opportunity to support and promote Healthy School Meals for All

September 21, 2023

By supporting the Healthy School Meals for All program with a statewide marketing and outreach campaign, we’re on a mission to transform the lives of Colorado public students and their families – one nourishing school meal at a time. To ensure every child has the right to access nutritious and delicious meals, we formed a steering committee of diverse community members and pledged $370,000 for community-based organizations to support and actively promote the new program locally.

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Cultivating resilient food systems in the San Luis Valley

The San Luis Valley spans nearly 8,000 square miles of southern Colorado, where much of the land in the world’s largest alpine valley provides for the local community as well as people all over the state and nation. They’re the second-largest producer of potatoes in the United States and the largest supplier of native hay for Colorado. With the high-mountain desert’s climate, farmers also grow alfalfa, barley, wheat, and vegetables as well as raise livestock and use their land for grazing.

Dana Wood, the Blueprint’s Community Investment Manager, recently visited several partners in the San Luis Valley who are centering community-driven solutions to transform their local food systems and address hunger locally. This included the Valley Roots Food Hub, San Luis People’s Market, and Saguache Food Access Coalition. See her photo essay to learn more.

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Update on federal budget and WIC funding 

September 21, 2023

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are back in session, and the White House has called on Congress to pass a short-term spending bill, known as a continuing resolution. Its passage would avoid a federal government shutdown on Sunday, October 1, and ensure critical federal programs remain funded through the end of 2023.

As part of their budgetary ask, the Biden Administration seeks a boost in funding for WIC and requested an additional $1.4 billion due to higher food costs and participation. If WIC does not receive full funding for 2024, new parents and young children could be waitlisted, while others could see their benefits cut.

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Celebrating Hispanic heritage, moving towards racial and social equity

September 8, 2023

National Hispanic Heritage Month is happening from September 15 – October 15! It’s a time to celebrate those who trace their roots to Central America, Mexico, South America, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean.

At the Blueprint, we applaud the many rich contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities to our shared history, culture, and efforts to end hunger. But we also recognize that poverty and hunger disproportionately impact families and individuals in these communities – the result of a long history of policies that have created and maintained barriers to opportunity for people of color.

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Help inform the Blueprint’s future

September 6, 2023

As the Blueprint continues its journey of becoming more community-centered and evolving as a connector, convener, and facilitator, we want to ensure there’s space for community voice and participation. 

Now in the second phase of our yearlong strategic planning journey, we’re seeking your input on our biggest questions around transformation. Your insights and perspectives can help shape the Blueprint’s future, so we hope you’ll participate.

Find out a little more about how we got here and where we hope to go — and how you can help inform the Blueprint’s transformation.

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