As we collaborate to address hunger and nourish our neighbors, data and trends can help inform our work. Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2025 offers recently released data to provide localized insights. This annual report, which analyzes data from 2023, is a crucial tool to understand food insecurity and food costs at the local and national level. These findings provide vital context for the challenges individuals and families face in our communities and help our collective response.
Below is a summary of key 2023 trends for Food Bank of the Rockies’ Colorado service area, including break-out information for the Western Slope counties we serve, with comparisons to 2022 where applicable:
Overall Food Insecurity: The number of people experiencing food insecurity has risen to the highest level we have seen in over 10 years.
- Colorado: In 2023, 12.2% of the population (1 in 8 people, or 414,610 individuals) faced food insecurity. This is an increase from 11.5% (1 in 9 people, or 375,990 individuals) in 2022.
- Western Slope: Within our Colorado service area, Western Slope counties saw 12.1% of people (1 in 8 people, or about 60,007 individuals) experiencing food insecurity in 2023, up from 11.5% (56,250 individuals) in 2022.
Child Food Insecurity:
- Colorado: In 2023, 14.1% of children (1 in 8, or 100,380 children) lived in households experiencing food insecurity, the same percentage as in 2022.
- Western Slope: The rate was 13.6% (1 in 8 children, or 14,490 children) in 2023, slightly down from 13.8% (14,430 children) in 2022.
SNAP Eligibility Among Food Insecure Population: A larger portion of our communities is facing increased challenges related to hunger, yet significant gaps remain in their access to nutrition, as demonstrated by the percentage of the population living with food insecurity that does not qualify for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
- Colorado (200% Federal Poverty Level threshold to qualify): 8% more Colorado residents experiencing food insecurity are eligible for SNAP in 2023 than in 2022. This means that 4.8% more Coloradans experiencing food insecurity live below the federal poverty level threshold. However, 47.5% of food insecure people are ineligible for SNAP benefits.
- 5% of neighbors experiencing food insecurity were estimated to be eligible for SNAP benefits in 2023; in 2022, it was 47.7%.
These insights from Map the Meal Gap underscore the ongoing needs in our communities and the vital importance of your partnership. This data helps us to better understand who is affected by hunger and how, enabling us to refine our strategies, advocate effectively, and work toward a future where everyone in our service area has the food they need to thrive.
You can explore more detailed data, including county-level information, through Feeding America’s interactive map at map.feedingamerica.org and by reading the full report.
Thank you for your dedication and tireless efforts.
Be well,
Austin Mueller
Director of Research and Evaluation
Food Bank of the Rockies
Important Dates
- Friday, July 4: Closed for Independence Day holiday
Feeding Colorado Advocacy/Policy Update
Let your voice be heard! Are you interested in advocating for key policy priorities that impact our neighbors experiencing hunger? Sign up for Feeding Colorado’s Action Alerts via the link below! We will send opportunities to engage with our state legislators and Congress on policies that make a difference in building a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.
Feeding Colorado is the state association of the five Feeding America food banks serving all of Colorado and Wyoming.
Sign up here: secure.everyaction.com/HTD96rMrTESSLG3LCn-Aqw2
Partner Resources
Applications for CRC’s Fall Cohort of GrantCorps now open through July 12!
GrantCorps provides information, training, and 1:1 technical support to nonprofits across Colorado in grant research, proposal development, and grant management. GrantCorps works alongside organizations that are experiencing barriers to accessing public and private grants so they can better secure funding for their communities long-term.
Due to generous support from the Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, or CHFA, CRC will select 8 organizations to participate in the 2025 fall cohort. Applications will be scored in four key areas: capacity, location, experienced barriers, and people served. Additionally, organizations must demonstrate certain “grant-readiness” measures to qualify.
The program is a $3,ooo value, and selected organizations will pay a small enrollment fee ranging from $100-$300.
What selected organizations will receive:
✅ Resources & Information including a Grant Readiness Assessment and complimentary 3-month subscription & live demo of the Colorado Grants Guide® (CGG)
✅ 15+ hours of grant training including:
- Get Grants (6 hours)
- Program Planning & Evaluation* (3 hours)
- Nonprofit Financial Leadership* (3 hours)
- Grant Writing 201 (3 hours)
- Monthly Funder Connections (as scheduled)
- 20% discount to additional CRC trainings in Sept, Oct, Nov
*these sessions are self-paced and pre-recorded
✅ 1:1 Grant Development Coaching, including 8 hours from CRC’s experienced team, additional support provided by GrantCorps VISTA members, and peer connection with other grassroots and community-based changemakers.
Applications are due by July 12, 2025, at 11:59PM. Applicants will be notified if they are selected to participate in the program the last week of July. Click here to apply.
Program Updates
Partner Solutions – Tip of the Month!
Self-Guided Password Reset
Are you ready for our annual training recertifications? Do you know your password? You can now reset your password for NeoGov, the online training tool used for Food Safety, Civil Rights, and other program-related training. Visit the training portal at partner-portal/partner-training and click on the “Forgot Your Password?” button for instructions to reset your password. You’ll need your email address that is associated with your partner account with us as you will receive an email with a password reset link. If you need assistance, contact Jill at jilldavis@foodbankrockies.org.
Government Programs
Please remember to submit all monthly Everyday Eats inventory and caseload reports, which are due on the 5th day of the following month. Thank you for your assistance in submitting these timely reports!
Food Sourcing Update
We’ve heard feedback from several partners regarding new items they would like to see, especially a wider variety of nutritious kids’ snacks. Our Purchasing Team recently attended a large food show and were able to bring back lots of new products, including plenty of snacks, which we sampled with our Programs Team to determine if they were a good fit for kids!
We are excited to announce some new items that we are bringing in: frozen cooked breakfast sausage patties, corn starch, ready-to-serve individual rice cups, single-serve popped corn snack, granola, fresh asadero cheese, fresh cotija cheese, single-serve roasted chickpeas, Colorado-grown quinoa, wheat crackers (like Wheat Thins), graham crackers, Smartfood popcorn, flavored tuna pouches, gluten-free pasta, trail mix, and Yoplait refrigerated low-fat yogurt cups!
Find all of these and additional new items by searching in the “New Item” category under “Feature Type” on Agency Express.
Nutrition Update
Let’s take a moment to celebrate the dairy industry and its contribution to our communities! Dairy is prevalent in many foods, making it commonplace in our diets. Dairy is a good source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, protein, and probiotics (from yogurt and kefir); promotes muscle mass and bone health; and decreases the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Low- to non-fat milk and yogurt are encouraged as part of a well-balanced diet rather than high-fat dairy options that are low in vitamins and minerals, such as cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and cream. Lactose-free and fortified soy milk versions are appropriate substitutions for people who are lactose-intolerant or allergic. The USDA recognizes dairy as a food group as part of their myPlate guidelines, which promote nutritious eating. The amount of dairy a person needs depends on multiple factors, including age and gender; one cup of milk, yogurt, or soy milk, and 1.5 ounces of cheese count as a single serving.
Via the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) rankings, unsweetened nonfat, 1%, and 2% milk, as well as low- to non-fat yogurt, are in the “choose often” green foods category and encouraged to be selected by our neighbors to promote prevention of diet-related chronic diseases.
Neighbor Resources
Summer EBT is back for 2025
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) automatically loaded 2025 Summer EBT benefits onto cards for children who received Summer EBT last year and are still eligible this year beginning on May 1, 2025.
Spread the word: Families can stretch their grocery budgets even more this summer! The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program provides each eligible, school-aged child with a one-time payment of $120 to help buy more nutritious food over summer break.
What is Summer EBT?
Summer EBT is a new program that provides nutritious food to eligible students in the summer months when they are not in school.
Who is eligible for Summer EBT?
Students who may be eligible for Summer EBT include:
- Kids who qualify for free or reduced-price meals while attending a school participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
- Kids who are receiving other assistance benefits, including SNAPand Colorado Works. Kids may also qualify through Medicaid if their legal guardian’s income is within the National School Lunch guidelines.
Staff Highlight
Meet Amber Henning, Director of Development and Community Relations
We’re thrilled to introduce a new face to our Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope team — Amber Henning, Director of Development and Community Relations! With a heart rooted in service and a passion for storytelling, Amber brings fresh energy and deep community connections to our mission of nourishing neighbors.
Amber grew up in Montrose, Colorado, and though she was born in sunny San Diego, she considers Montrose home. After moving to Grand Junction three-and-a-half years ago, she quickly became a champion for community causes, especially for neighbors who are unhoused or navigating tough chapters in life. Her impressive nonprofit resume includes serving as the Chief Advancement Officer at HomewardBound of the Grand Valley and working with organizations like Riverside Educational Centers, Partners Mentoring, and the Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club.
At the core of Amber’s work and life is her role as a mom to an amazing 11-year-old son. “Being a mother is what I’m most passionate about,” she says. “He is my world.” They share their home with Lucy, a two-year-old yellow Labrador with plenty of puppy energy and personality.
When she’s not busy making an impact in the community or keeping up with Lucy, Amber fuels her soul through creativity. A lover of music and art, she enjoys concerts, playing guitar, painting, jewelry-making, and — perhaps most of all — macramé. “I definitely consider myself crafty,” she laughs.
Amber’s heart for connection and her belief in the power of small victories make her a perfect fit for our mission. “As someone already passionate about helping the community, coming to Food Bank of the Rockies was a natural choice,” she says. “I love sharing stories of hope and resilience. Every act of support — every food box, every smile — plants a seed of change. And with nourishment, those seeds can grow into something truly life-changing.”
Amber visits her aunt in California once a year and has a long list of travel dreams. But no matter where she is, her focus stays close to home: building relationships, uplifting voices, and ensuring that our neighbors feel seen, supported, and nourished.
Please join us in welcoming Amber to the team — we’re so glad she’s here. We know her warmth, passion, and storytelling magic will help us continue strengthening our work alongside each of you, our incredible Hunger Relief Partners.