The following list is a directory of regional and local food systems coalitions and councils in the state of Colorado. The list is separated into two categories; food systems councils and food system coalitions.
Download a spreadsheet of this directory here:
Download a spreadsheet of this directory here:
| Regional and Local Coalition Directory |
To view a map with locations of all of the listed councils and coalitions click here.
To view the map that was used to assign each coalition to a region, click here.
To view the map that was used to assign each coalition to a region, click here.
Is your organization missing from this list or is your information incorrect? Fill out this information form in order to add your organization and join the regional-state conversation.
View a detailed report on surveys and interviews conducted with many of the food systems coalitions listed in this directory:
| Report of Findings- Regional and Local Food Systems Coalitions 2012 |
The following document is a national summary of food policy councils in 2012 prepared by Mark Winne Associates.
| Food Policy Councils: A Look Back at 2012 |
The following is a table highlighting some successes of food policy councils around the country.
| Food Policy Council Successes |
Directory of Food Policy Councils
Region: Front Range
Boulder County Food and Agriculture Policy Council http://www.bouldercounty.org/gov/boards/pages/fapc.aspx
Mission: To promote a locally-based food and agricultural system that advances Boulder County's economic, environmental, and social well being through research, education, and public policy recommendations.
Accomplishments: Received county funding for two community food assessments; participated in lobbying during the GMO sugar beet debate; assisted in passing regulations that allow county open space to be leased to farmers. The Council currently promotes educational farm tours offered on open space farms.
Contact: Adrian Card, Agriculture Agent, CSU Extension, Boulder County
acard@bouldercounty.org, 303-678-6383
Region: Metro Denver
Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council http://www.denvergov.org/boards_and_commissions/BoardsandCommissions/DenverSustainableFoodPolicy
Council/tabid/440496/Default.aspx
Mission: The mission of Denver’s Sustainable Food Policy Council is to foster food security for all community members and to promote a healthy, equitable and sustainable local food system (from production to distribution to access) with consideration for resource conservation, energy efficiency and waste recovery.
Contact: Stacey McConlogue, Denver Healthy People Program Manager
stacey.mcconlogue@denvergov.org, 720-865-5407
Region: North West
Eagle County Food Policy Council
Mission: In process
Vision: In process
Contact: Jess Hankins
jessica.hankins@eaglecounty.us, 970-328-8855
Roaring Fork Food Policy Council
www.roaringforkfood.org
Mission: To act as a coordinating hub across sectors, engaging with government policy and programs, grassroots/non-profit projects, local businesses and food workers.
Vision: The Council will generally have four functions: 1) To serve as a public forum for discussing food issues; 2) To foster coordination between sectors in the local food system; 3) To evaluate and influence policy; 4) To launch or support programs and services that address local needs.
Contact: Dawne Vrabel, Co-founder and director
dawnevrabel@gmail.com, 732-284-8477
Summit County Food Policy Council (High Country Conservation Center) www.highcountryconservation.org
Mission: The Summit County Food Policy Council will support local efforts to: 1) grow and acquire healthy; sustainable food; 2) serve the hungry and; 3) educate our community.
Vision: Sustainable Food Solutions for Summit County!
Accomplishments: Supported the creation of a community garden network; developed a website with a database for gardeners and food programs; presented a work plan that established urban gardening and school lunch task forces.
Contact: Jennifer Santry, Community Programs Director
jen@highcountryconservation.org, 970-668-5703
Region: South East
Bent County Food Policy Council (sponsored by Las Animas Helping Hands) www.lasanimashelpinghands.org
Mission: To provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in Bent County and the surrounding area while providing opportunities for self-sufficiency.
Vision: To relieve suffering in Bent County and the surrounding area.
Accomplishments: Established the Las Animas Community Garden Project; completed a community food assessment; worked closely with the county to expand dry and cold storage at the local food pantry.
Contact: Sharon Barber
sbbarber@centurytel.net, 719-456-2997
Region: South West
La Plata Food Policy Council
http://www.growingpartners.org/la-plata-food-policy-council.html
Mission: To empower and support Durango and La Plata County in becoming an interconnected community where citizens and visitors have access to affordable, local, nutritious and culturally appropriate food and are empowered to live a healthy, active and sustainable lifestyle.
Accomplishments: Weighed in on county land use codes during re-authorization; actively promotes community education around the Cottage Foods Bill and farm stand policies.
Contact: Jenny Wrenn, Co-Chair
jennifer.wrenn@gmail.com, 970-457-2803
Boulder County Food and Agriculture Policy Council http://www.bouldercounty.org/gov/boards/pages/fapc.aspx
Mission: To promote a locally-based food and agricultural system that advances Boulder County's economic, environmental, and social well being through research, education, and public policy recommendations.
Accomplishments: Received county funding for two community food assessments; participated in lobbying during the GMO sugar beet debate; assisted in passing regulations that allow county open space to be leased to farmers. The Council currently promotes educational farm tours offered on open space farms.
Contact: Adrian Card, Agriculture Agent, CSU Extension, Boulder County
acard@bouldercounty.org, 303-678-6383
Region: Metro Denver
Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council http://www.denvergov.org/boards_and_commissions/BoardsandCommissions/DenverSustainableFoodPolicy
Council/tabid/440496/Default.aspx
Mission: The mission of Denver’s Sustainable Food Policy Council is to foster food security for all community members and to promote a healthy, equitable and sustainable local food system (from production to distribution to access) with consideration for resource conservation, energy efficiency and waste recovery.
Contact: Stacey McConlogue, Denver Healthy People Program Manager
stacey.mcconlogue@denvergov.org, 720-865-5407
Region: North West
Eagle County Food Policy Council
Mission: In process
Vision: In process
Contact: Jess Hankins
jessica.hankins@eaglecounty.us, 970-328-8855
Roaring Fork Food Policy Council
www.roaringforkfood.org
Mission: To act as a coordinating hub across sectors, engaging with government policy and programs, grassroots/non-profit projects, local businesses and food workers.
Vision: The Council will generally have four functions: 1) To serve as a public forum for discussing food issues; 2) To foster coordination between sectors in the local food system; 3) To evaluate and influence policy; 4) To launch or support programs and services that address local needs.
Contact: Dawne Vrabel, Co-founder and director
dawnevrabel@gmail.com, 732-284-8477
Summit County Food Policy Council (High Country Conservation Center) www.highcountryconservation.org
Mission: The Summit County Food Policy Council will support local efforts to: 1) grow and acquire healthy; sustainable food; 2) serve the hungry and; 3) educate our community.
Vision: Sustainable Food Solutions for Summit County!
Accomplishments: Supported the creation of a community garden network; developed a website with a database for gardeners and food programs; presented a work plan that established urban gardening and school lunch task forces.
Contact: Jennifer Santry, Community Programs Director
jen@highcountryconservation.org, 970-668-5703
Region: South East
Bent County Food Policy Council (sponsored by Las Animas Helping Hands) www.lasanimashelpinghands.org
Mission: To provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in Bent County and the surrounding area while providing opportunities for self-sufficiency.
Vision: To relieve suffering in Bent County and the surrounding area.
Accomplishments: Established the Las Animas Community Garden Project; completed a community food assessment; worked closely with the county to expand dry and cold storage at the local food pantry.
Contact: Sharon Barber
sbbarber@centurytel.net, 719-456-2997
Region: South West
La Plata Food Policy Council
http://www.growingpartners.org/la-plata-food-policy-council.html
Mission: To empower and support Durango and La Plata County in becoming an interconnected community where citizens and visitors have access to affordable, local, nutritious and culturally appropriate food and are empowered to live a healthy, active and sustainable lifestyle.
Accomplishments: Weighed in on county land use codes during re-authorization; actively promotes community education around the Cottage Foods Bill and farm stand policies.
Contact: Jenny Wrenn, Co-Chair
jennifer.wrenn@gmail.com, 970-457-2803
Directory of Food Systems Coalitions
Region: Front Range
Northern Colorado Food and Ag Coalition (Sponsored by The Growing Project)
www.nocofac.weebly.com
Mission: To create a multi-stakeholder coalition that addresses community interests ad needs regarding food and agriculture in a cohesive and inclusive way.
Contact: Megan Phillips, Food Policy Consultant, New Growth Consultants
megan@thegrowingproject.org, 906-869-0372
Region: Metro Denver
Denver Seeds
www.denvergov.org
Mission: To grow a sustainable local food economy that provides access to healthy and affordable food for all of Denver’s residents, creates jobs, and honors both people and the planet.
Vision: 1) Sustainable Economic Development, 2) Access to Fresh Food for All of Denver's Residents, and 3) Community Investment and Education
Accomplishments: Produced an urban agriculture “how to” guide; worked with partners to establish a food hub for local products; developed an inventory of open land in the county for potential production sites. Denver Seeds is currently conducting a community food assessment and is overseeing 7-10 on- going pilot projects including an aquaponics system at a county jail and an urban garden at the Convention Center.
Contact: Arthur Ortegon, Senior Policy Analyst for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock arthur.ortegon@denvergov.org, 720-865-9018
Region: North West
Northwest CO Food Coalition (sponsored by LiveWell Northwest)
https://about.livewellcolorado.org/livewell-northwest-colorado
Mission: The mission of the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition is to facilitate communication, collaboration, and integrate solutions among individuals and organizations to develop and sustain a resilient food system in Northwest Colorado.
Vision: The vision Northwest Colorado Food Coalition is to be recognized as the leader in assuring the Northwest Colorado community has equitable access to a resilient food system.
Accomplishments: Conducted a community food assessment.
Contact: Barb Parnell, LiveWell Northwest Coordinator
livewellparnell@gmail.com, 970-819-4110
Region: South Central
LiveWell Chaffee County
http://www.chaffee-hhs.org/chaffee-county-public-health/health-promotion-2/
Mission and Vision: Pending
Accomplishments: Established a local food policy action plan.
Contact: Lisa Malde, LiveWell Chaffee County Coordinator
lmalde@chaffeecounty.org, 719-530-2569
San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition
sanluisvalleylocalfoods.blogspot.com
Mission: The San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition develops local networks, educates the community, and promotes programs and policies that create an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable local food system for the San Luis Valley region.
Vision: To change the consciousness of the fabric of society in the San Luis Valley through food.
Accomplishments: Hosted a community pot luck; took over management of the area farmers market and developed a regional farmers market network; drafted a strategic plan; in the process of creating an educational space with growing demonstration classes, cooking and nutrition classes, and a commercial kitchen.
Contact: Liza Marron
directorslvlocalfoods@gmail.com, 719-539-5606
Region: South West
Growing Partners of SW Colorado
www.growingpartners.org
Mission: Growing Partners of SW Colorado is partnership of agencies and individuals working together to support a fair, sustainable local food system that reaches all incomes, ages and cultures.
Vision: That La Plata County is a place in which all people, at all times have access to healthy, local, affordable, culturally appropriate foods, produced in ways that are sustainable.
Accomplishments: Received a USDA Community Food Project competitive grant and submitted a follow up implementation grant for technical training, producer networking and policy support; received a Farmers Market Promotion grant; conducted a community food assessment; took over leadership of the Homegrown Food Conference (Apple Days and Tour de Farms).
Contact: Katy Pepinsky, Director
katypepinsky@gmail.com, 970-375-7705
Livewell Montezuma Food Task Force
https://about.livewellcolorado.org/livewell-montezuma
Mission: A resilient regional food system that supplies healthy, accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant foods to fill the plates of all Montezuma residents.
Accomplishments: Conducted a feasibility study for regional food hub; hosted a regional gathering on food systems best practices; conducted a community food assessment with an emphasis on producer and consumer surveys; developed a report based on this assessment that will be used to seek funding for projects.
Contact: JoDee Powers, Livewell Montezuma Coordinator
lwmontezuma@gmail.com, 303-913-8332
Valley Food Partnership (formerly Western Colorado Food & Ag Council)
www.valleyfoodpartnership.org
Mission: The Valley Food Partnership strives to improve the health of all community members and invigorate the economy by expanding access to locally grown foods. As a mission driven organization, the Valley Food Partnership is committed to working together to grow a healthy community by connecting local farms to forks.
Contact: Carol Parker, Valley Food Partnership President
valleyfoodpartners@gmail.com, 970-240-0421
Accomplishments: Assisted in supporting the farm to institution program at the Montrose Community Hospital; hosted a Local Food Summit; worked with producers to donate extra produce and offer a discounted CSA; developed Teens on Farms which is now independent of the Council; got local beef into schools with the use of a grant and a USDA processing center nearby.
Contact: Elaine Brett
embrett@paonia.com, 970-210-9717
Northern Colorado Food and Ag Coalition (Sponsored by The Growing Project)
www.nocofac.weebly.com
Mission: To create a multi-stakeholder coalition that addresses community interests ad needs regarding food and agriculture in a cohesive and inclusive way.
Contact: Megan Phillips, Food Policy Consultant, New Growth Consultants
megan@thegrowingproject.org, 906-869-0372
Region: Metro Denver
Denver Seeds
www.denvergov.org
Mission: To grow a sustainable local food economy that provides access to healthy and affordable food for all of Denver’s residents, creates jobs, and honors both people and the planet.
Vision: 1) Sustainable Economic Development, 2) Access to Fresh Food for All of Denver's Residents, and 3) Community Investment and Education
Accomplishments: Produced an urban agriculture “how to” guide; worked with partners to establish a food hub for local products; developed an inventory of open land in the county for potential production sites. Denver Seeds is currently conducting a community food assessment and is overseeing 7-10 on- going pilot projects including an aquaponics system at a county jail and an urban garden at the Convention Center.
Contact: Arthur Ortegon, Senior Policy Analyst for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock arthur.ortegon@denvergov.org, 720-865-9018
Region: North West
Northwest CO Food Coalition (sponsored by LiveWell Northwest)
https://about.livewellcolorado.org/livewell-northwest-colorado
Mission: The mission of the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition is to facilitate communication, collaboration, and integrate solutions among individuals and organizations to develop and sustain a resilient food system in Northwest Colorado.
Vision: The vision Northwest Colorado Food Coalition is to be recognized as the leader in assuring the Northwest Colorado community has equitable access to a resilient food system.
Accomplishments: Conducted a community food assessment.
Contact: Barb Parnell, LiveWell Northwest Coordinator
livewellparnell@gmail.com, 970-819-4110
Region: South Central
LiveWell Chaffee County
http://www.chaffee-hhs.org/chaffee-county-public-health/health-promotion-2/
Mission and Vision: Pending
Accomplishments: Established a local food policy action plan.
Contact: Lisa Malde, LiveWell Chaffee County Coordinator
lmalde@chaffeecounty.org, 719-530-2569
San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition
sanluisvalleylocalfoods.blogspot.com
Mission: The San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition develops local networks, educates the community, and promotes programs and policies that create an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable local food system for the San Luis Valley region.
Vision: To change the consciousness of the fabric of society in the San Luis Valley through food.
Accomplishments: Hosted a community pot luck; took over management of the area farmers market and developed a regional farmers market network; drafted a strategic plan; in the process of creating an educational space with growing demonstration classes, cooking and nutrition classes, and a commercial kitchen.
Contact: Liza Marron
directorslvlocalfoods@gmail.com, 719-539-5606
Region: South West
Growing Partners of SW Colorado
www.growingpartners.org
Mission: Growing Partners of SW Colorado is partnership of agencies and individuals working together to support a fair, sustainable local food system that reaches all incomes, ages and cultures.
Vision: That La Plata County is a place in which all people, at all times have access to healthy, local, affordable, culturally appropriate foods, produced in ways that are sustainable.
Accomplishments: Received a USDA Community Food Project competitive grant and submitted a follow up implementation grant for technical training, producer networking and policy support; received a Farmers Market Promotion grant; conducted a community food assessment; took over leadership of the Homegrown Food Conference (Apple Days and Tour de Farms).
Contact: Katy Pepinsky, Director
katypepinsky@gmail.com, 970-375-7705
Livewell Montezuma Food Task Force
https://about.livewellcolorado.org/livewell-montezuma
Mission: A resilient regional food system that supplies healthy, accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant foods to fill the plates of all Montezuma residents.
Accomplishments: Conducted a feasibility study for regional food hub; hosted a regional gathering on food systems best practices; conducted a community food assessment with an emphasis on producer and consumer surveys; developed a report based on this assessment that will be used to seek funding for projects.
Contact: JoDee Powers, Livewell Montezuma Coordinator
lwmontezuma@gmail.com, 303-913-8332
Valley Food Partnership (formerly Western Colorado Food & Ag Council)
www.valleyfoodpartnership.org
Mission: The Valley Food Partnership strives to improve the health of all community members and invigorate the economy by expanding access to locally grown foods. As a mission driven organization, the Valley Food Partnership is committed to working together to grow a healthy community by connecting local farms to forks.
Contact: Carol Parker, Valley Food Partnership President
valleyfoodpartners@gmail.com, 970-240-0421
Accomplishments: Assisted in supporting the farm to institution program at the Montrose Community Hospital; hosted a Local Food Summit; worked with producers to donate extra produce and offer a discounted CSA; developed Teens on Farms which is now independent of the Council; got local beef into schools with the use of a grant and a USDA processing center nearby.
Contact: Elaine Brett
embrett@paonia.com, 970-210-9717
