Supporting .
Nurturing a healthy community and viable agricultural economy through multi-faceted local food networks.
Voucher programs in our region
SNAP is a federally funded program offering monthly food funding depending on household size and income. SNAP helps low-income households in Colorado purchase food by providing a monthly benefit that helps families and individuals buy the food they need for good health. The benefit is provided based on income, resources and the number of individuals in the household. For more information visit the Colorado Department of Human Services website, and to apply visit the San Miguel County Health and Human Services office.
This program is also federally funding but managed by state organizations. In CO the organization running th Double UP Food Bucks program is Nourish Colorado. Double Up Food Bucks specific to local produce access and requires an EBT card to participate.
There are limited retailers that offer this program, which is typically seen at farmers markets because it requires an average of 60% or more of local produce which is not possible for common grocery stores. When you use your EBT card you’ll get matched up to $20 per day to purchase produce. To learn more, visit the Double Up Food Bucks Colorado website.
Currently, Wilds Gals Market in Nucla and the Fresh Food Hub online store are participating retailers, as well as all of our regional farmers. markets.
WIC (women, infants and children) and Family Wellness Programs are two programs offered through the Ouray County office which also serves San Miguel County too.
WIC provides education, food boxes, baby formula and other resources for mothers.
Family Wellness is a unique program offered by our county for participants (mother’s and children) who need additional food support but make “too much income” to qualify for WIC. For more information or to apply, visit sanjuanfamilywellness.com or call Amy at (970) 708-4365.
For general information, visit: the San Miguel County Women, Infant & Children Services website.
FoodRX is a partnership programs ran by Tri-County Health Network. Local clinics work with at risk patients to provide produce vouchers for clients to use at participating grocery stores. Thankfully this type of assistance is accepted at most grocery stores in our area via a gift certificate the clinics give to clients. Visit Tri-County Health Network for more information, or ask your local medical clinic if you qualify for the program.
Resource programs in our region
There are three pantries in our region of San Miguel and Montrose Counties. Through our partnerships, independent grants and community donations, the Fresh Foundation is able to provide local food subsides in which all three or our regional food banks can use. Clients can expect to see local fresh produce, and sometimes local meats and eggs at the distributions. In partnership with Blue Grouse Bread the Fresh Foundation also works to get day old bread dropped for distribution.
- Food distributions are weekly on Fridays from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. in front of Norwood Town Hall for the month of September. Stay tuned for our new location in October!
- Volunteers are always welcome ! Call Leila for more information 510-205-4550
- All Points Transit offers free rides.
Behind Second Chance Thrift Store on West Colorado
- Food distributions are weekly on Thursday’s from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. To help expedite the distribution process, please place your order online at www.telluridefoodpantry.org.
- Angel Baskets offers LatinX interpreters on hand to help out most weeks.
West End Family Link
853 Main St., Nucla
- Food distributions are weekly on Monday’s, Thursday’s and Friday’s from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Visit West End Family Link Center for more info about all West End Family Link resources and additional food focused programing.
- Food distributions are weekly on Monday’s, Thursday’s and Friday’s from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Visit West End Family Link Center for more info about all West End Family Link resources and additional food focused programing.
Fresh food programs in our region
The administration at your child’s local school should provide you with a form to fill out for this service. Once submitted, the state of Colorado then determines if your household qualifies for a free or reduced lunch, and school will inform. Click here to learn how to apply!
In good news! The FF measure passed fall of 2022 which allows ALL children access to free lunch without income stipulations. This will ensure ALL kids have access for free breakfast and lunch at schools in Colorado. Learn about Prop FF here!
There is a Friday program at both the West End Family Link and Norwood Food Banks. Backpacks, distributed to any child who wants one, includes snacks and food for kids over the weekend. In the past the Fresh Foundation has provided local fruit and will continue to do so again in 2023.
Visit the West End Family Link Center website or call (970) 864-2246 to learn more.
Visit the Norwood Food Bank or call Michelle at (970) 708-8664 to learn more.
Our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm share program offers weekly produce boxes full of locally-grown organic produce.
Mountain Village CSA
- Town of Mountain Village 2023 will the 6th year the program has been running. The Town of MV subsidies CSA for residents in need Farm to Community.
- The Fresh Foundation provides these CSAs in partnership with Birdhouse Farm. Inquire with Town of Mountain Village to sign up or follow on Facebook. Applications are available in early spring each year.
Local CSA
- The Fresh Foundation offers a local CSA plan annually for residents of Wright’s Mesa and the surrounding area. A 14-week program packs a variety of local produce from many regional farms. Value is typically $35 per week, and can be paid on pickup with SNAP, Double UP, WIC of FoodRx programs.
Stay up to date! Sign up for our email newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information.
Norwood Town Hall and Naturita Senior Center both host free senior lunches. Senior lunches are provided free of charge, no questions asked.
- Norwood’s senior lunches are currently held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of most months in 2023, lunches start at noon. Hosted at Norwood Town Hall, 1670 Naturita St.
- Naturita/Nucla Senior Center, 386 Main st. Nucla, is hosting senior lunches weekly Wednesday and Fridays. Doors open at 10:30am, lunch at noon. There is also a monthly fundraiser breakfast every 3rd Saturday, 7:30-9:30am. All ages are welcome.
- The Divide Restaurant in Norwood is also offering an amazing service or our seniors with lunches to-go Tuesdays- Saturdays. Please inquire with The Divide Restaurant by calling (970) 327-0227 or stop by.
To stay up to date for senior lunch events and date changes, please follow the Town of Norwood and Nucla-Naturita Senior Center on Facebook.
Kids may enjoy a free lunch at the Lone Cone Library, weekly on Fridays from Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit the Lone Cone Library to reserve you child’s lunch on the calendar. No qualifications, any person under 18yrs old is welcome.
The Fresh Foundation is happy to help fund this program in 2023!
