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 https://www.wildgalsmarket.com and the Fresh Food Hub seasonal farmer markets+CSAs are participating retailers. To learn more about our farm markets go to Shop Local up top! visit https://doubleupcolorado.org/where-its-at/ to find a Double Up provider near you!
The Family Wellness Program of the San Juans serves pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 yrs. We accept families that earn over the WIC income guidelines, but below 185% of poverty level. Families receive local food, nutrition education and breastfeeding and wellness support. For more information visit: Family Wellness Program
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 currently taking a break. Please stay in touch with your local clinic for the most current information on the program.
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.
Food Pantries in our region
There are three pantries in our service region of San Miguel and Montrose Counties. When possible through our partnerships, independent grants and community donations, the Fresh Foundation is able to provide local food subsides. We also run Pantry Plot Program in which we grow produce and donate it to our pantry partners. In partnership with Blue Grouse Bread the Fresh Foundation also works to get day old bread dropped for distributions.
The Fresh Foundation absorbed the Norwood Pantry Sep. 2023 and now manage the services.
- We run the Norwood Food Pantry. Food distributions are weekly on Sundays from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Annex building, Norwood School 1225 Summit Norwood
Volunteers are always welcome! Call or email to schedule a volunteer shift, or fill out this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJW2XqhT2P3qjmmroUOPCEfZ8WN-z8wR7uTGhEFtJZt_CxKQ/viewform
foodpantrynorwood@gmail.com, (970) 729-8929
To donate to the pantry, click HERE: or send a check to: Fresh Foundation, Norwood Food Pantry Po box 82 Norwood CO 81423
- 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.
- Angel Baskets is a partner of the Norwood Food Pantry and donates monthly to our service. Please thank them!
- 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.
Health focused support in our region
In recent news, Prop MM and LL passed in 2025, further securing the free lunch effort!
Historically: 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! This measure includes funding for local food too!
Both the West End Family Link and Norwood Food Pantry run Totes for Hope programs. Food bags are distributed to any child who wants one which includes snacks and food for kids over the weekend.
Year round: Totes are offered for pickup every Friday for free at the Lone Cone Library in Norwood. Stop by during open hours to sign up.
During the school year:
The Norwood Food pantry, now run by our organization partners with Norwood School who distributes to all students who want to participate. The Totes for Hope are being distributed as an “opt out” program for K-5 & an “opt in” program for 6-12. Anyone can contact Sarah Franklin sarah.franklin@norwoodk12.org or phone 970-327-4336 ext. 214 for more information.
If your child does not attend Norwood school and you live on Wrights Mesa please reach out to request participation: txt/call 510-205-4550 Leila or email leilafli@yahoo.com
West End:
Visit the West End Family Link Center website or call (970) 864-2246 to learn more about the Nucla service.
The Fresh Foundation provides local goods for both programs and will continue to do so in partnership with the Telluride Foundation.
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 2025 will the 8th 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 share annually for residents of Wright’s Mesa and the surrounding area.
- Typically in summer: mid-June to mid-October, 14 weeks The value is typically $35 per week.
- Winter: Dec-March, a hybrid program parting with regional greenhouses and farms, Typically $35-45 per share.
- Both CSA programs can be paid on pickup with SNAP, Double Up, WIC, or FoodRx programs.
Stay up to date! Sign up for our email newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information.
The Fresh Foundation and Naturita Senior Center both host FREE senior lunches weekly. Senior lunches are provided free of charge, no questions asked. Thank you to our supporters The Telluride Foundation, Region 10, Town of Norwood and San Miguel County
- Norwood’s senior lunches are hosted at Norwood Town Hall, 1670 Naturita St. once a week Mondays with chef Julie Thorneycroft 11:30-1pm. Lunches are free and all seniors are welcome! questions email us at norwoodseniorlunch@gmail.com
- Naturita/Nucla Senior Center, 386 Main st. Nucla, is hosting senior lunches weekly Wednesday and Fridays. Doors open at 10:30am, lunch at noon.
- The Divide Restaurant in Norwood is also offering an amazing service or our seniors with lunches to-go Fridays and 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 FRESHfoodhub 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 has been happy to provide snacks for these lunches through our pantry and host free hot lunch events each year. In 2025 we have been able to host 4 hot lunch events with the support of Library staff and the Lone Cone Legacy Trust.
Evergreen senior boxes are taking a break but will return in 2026. They are provided through Food Bank of the Rockies. The boxes are full with shelf stable foods for seniors 60+. Please email us if youre in need of food foodpantrynorwood@gmail.com
Contact Veterans Guide: http://veteransguide.org Their mission is to assist veterans with the array of issues they may face, including obtaining proper disability compensation, financial assistance, information on the GI bill, and more.
See calculator link here: http://veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator/
This was made to help veterans calculate how much their VA rating should be, especially when it comes to combining ratings and complicated VA math.
Visit: https://www.caring.com/caregivers/guide-to-caregiving-senior-living-obesity/. A guide provided by caring.org for seniors and caregivers, supporting the health, wellbeing and weight management of seniors.
