Policy & Advocacy
When more than one in three households struggle to consistently put food on the table, it's time to recognize this for what it is: a community crisis.
No one should have to choose between groceries, rent, medicine, or other basic necessities. While our coalition works every day to help neighbors access healthy food, we also advocate for the long-term investments and policy changes needed to ensure everyone has reliable access to nutritious, culturally relevant food now and always.
Below are the initiatives we're currently engaged in.
35%
of Denver Residents
are Food Insecure
Healthy Food for Denver Kids Renewal
Healthy Food for Denver Kids has transformed food access for children and families across Denver. As the program approaches its 2028 sunset date, community organizations are working together to ensure this critical investment continues serving Denver for years to come.
The Southwest Food Coalition has helped convene a citywide coalition to guide the renewal effort. Together, we're bringing organizations, community members, and leaders together to evaluate opportunities for renewal and expansion, build public support, and develop a community-informed proposal for the November 2027 ballot.
Food Justice Summit
Building momentum for long-term investments in Denver's food system.
The Southwest Food Coalition has spent 3+ years building a grassroots movement to elevate the need for long-term investment in our local food systems. Since 2023, we have asked the City of Denver to create a Food Justice Fund, highlighting the need for flexible and sustainable funding to support food systems across a variety of diverse communities in Denver. While we received almost unanimous support from City Council every year, the request has not made it to the city’s budget. In 2025, the Mayor allocated some funding in the 2026 City Budget to host a Food Justice Summit. As CW Jamie Torres recently stated, “This is a way to keep the conversation going.” And we have kept the conversation going! In preparation for the summit and in partnership with Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, we had the opportunity to present to City Council and the Mayor’s office alongside 6 community partners in July 2026. We presented data and stories on the current state of the food insecurity crisis in Denver, what work is being done, and how we can all work together to address food insecurity in our city.
Current Status: The first Food Justice Summit meeting has been scheduled! This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Date/Time: Friday, August 28th, 1-4pm
Location: Westwood Community Center; 1000 S Lowell Blvd. Denver 80219
Food Insecurity Awareness Campaign
Food is connected to nearly every issue our communities care about—from health and education to economic opportunity and neighborhood well-being. Yet food insecurity often remains invisible. This campaign is helping make food security relevant by creating shared messages and educational resources that explain why food matters, what food insecurity looks like in Denver today, and how we can work together to create lasting solutions.