Two nonprofit organizations have received grants to support efforts to improve fresh food access and consumption in the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods under the
Denver Office of Economic Development's Healthy Food Challenge.
Focus Points Family Resource Center received $76,720 to develop a new micro-food business support center for Globeville, Elyria-Swansea food businesses and entrepreneurs. The center will provide community-driven programs to help people with starting or expanding food-based micro-businesses in the surrounding areas.
OED awarded $66,213 to
The GrowHaus to support the launch of a door-to-door community health worker program to educate residents on healthy eating habits, cooking methods and nutrition. The grant is tarted to provide outreach classes and education to at least 300 residents.
"Access to fresh and nutritious foods is a key component to building vibrant communities," says Paul Washington, executive director of the OED. "We're excited to fund these innovative, new programs in Globeville and Elyria-Swansea as part of our ongoing efforts to develop additional food retail options for local residents."
Globeville and Elyria-Swansea have a combined population of more than 10,000 residents but the area doesn't have even one full-service or limited-service grocery store. Studies have shown that many residents travel twice as far as the average Denver resident to grocery stores, most of which are outside of Denver.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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