The Fresh Foundation operates eight integrated programs designed to expand food access, reduce food insecurity, and strengthen local agriculture—helping build a resilient food system and healthier rural communities. At the heart of our work is a circular food model that reduces waste and maximizes community benefit. We source local, organic produce and proteins from regional farmers and redistribute them through a trusted network of community programs. This approach not only supports local producers, but also ensures that high-quality, nutritious food reaches the families and individuals who need it most.
We serve the West End of San Miguel County and the East End of Montrose County—both designated food deserts where residents face limited grocery options, long travel distances to major stores and jobs, and higher rates of isolation and health conditions. In these communities, The Fresh Foundation provides essential, consistent food access through the following programs:
Food Pantry: Provides supplemental groceries to more than 150 individuals each week, offering fresh foods, pantry staples, and critical support services.
Senior Lunch Program: Prepares and serves professionally cooked, healthy hot lunches twice weekly to over 40 seniors, nourishing both body and community connection.
Kids Hot Lunch Program: Hosts quarterly, chef-prepared community lunches for children and their caregivers, creating opportunities for shared meals and nutrition education.
Totes for Hope: Deliver over 45 weekly healthy snack bags to students from income-qualifying families, helping ensure kids have nutritious options outside of school hours.
CSA Program: Source and manages two seasonal (summer and winter), 15-week each Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, providing fresh, locally grown produce to more than 140 families, in addition we provide subsidized WIC and community shares for qualifying incomes.
Farmers Market Program: Coordinate the Mountain Village and Norwood Farmers Markets for 18 weeks each summer, supporting regional growers and increasing community access to fresh, local food.
Local Food Distribution: Expand access to local produce throughout the community by distributing nutritious, locally sourced food to partner agencies and community sites.
Community Garden Growing Plot: Grow and maintains community vegetable plots that supply regional food pantries with fresh, organic produce.
Strengthening our community through local food, collaboration and connection.
In 2015, a small group of neighbors in Norwood, Colorado came together around a simple but powerful idea: everyone in the community should have access to fresh, healthy food, and local farmers should be supported for the vital role they play. What began as a volunteer-driven cooperative grocery soon grew into what is now the FRESH Foundation and provides food access and food security through eight integrated programs.
Organization name
Fresh Foundation
other names
Fresh Food Hub
2015
Tax id (EIN)
85-0848797
Category
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, Human Services
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
PO BOX 82San Miguel County, CO, US
Montrose County, CO, US