Dear Partners,
After years of planning, months of construction, countless discussions (including with many of you!), our collective efforts, and invaluable support from each of you, we’re launching the public phase of Fulfilled, our capital campaign for our future Denver-area distribution center. We’re thrilled to finally be able to share this news publicly because of what this means for the impact we hope to have for decades to come in partnership with you.
Throughout our region, 1 in 8 people lives with food insecurity. Hunger rates are at a more than 10-year high locally and nationally; headlines have labeled this a “public health crisis.” We know that many of you are witnessing this increased need firsthand and are grateful for the work you do to ensure that everyone in our region is nourished. We all want a hunger-free future for our communities, and this facility allows us to adapt and innovate to get there. With the recent reductions to various USDA commodity food programs and changes to SNAP and Medicaid, less help is available to people to put food on their tables during difficult times. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we expand our capacity and increase our efficiency right now.
Since moving into our 45th Avenue Denver distribution center, we’ve increased food distribution volume nearly five-fold. We technically outgrew the facility 14 years ago, which is when we started leasing a secondary facility. More recently, we have also had to lease offsite truck parking to keep up.
To meet the increased need we all are seeing, Food Bank of the Rockies must grow our volunteer base, increase donated food supplies, and operate as efficiently as possible — all of which this facility will help make a reality across our entire service area. By consolidating operations under one roof, we’ll increase efficiency, reduce waste, maximize our resources, and put sustainability front and center — generating over $500,000 in annual cost-savings that go directly back into feeding families and partnering with each of you. All in all, this new building will help us more collectively fulfill our mission more effectively for decades to come.
What will this new building mean for you, our amazing Western Slope Hunger Relief Partners? More than 70% of food distributed throughout the Aspen to Parachute corridor, mountain communities, and entire Western Slope comes through the Denver area distribution center — making the new building capacity directly relevant to serving these communities.
- Our expanded kitchen will mean even more from-scratch frozen meals that can be distributed to kids for after-school and summer meal programs, as well as meals for older adults and unhoused neighbors that we can share through our Hunger Relief Partners in the region.
- Our expanded cooler space will mean an increase in frozen donations, especially proteins. It will also allow us to increase the amount of fresh produce that we can accept, store, and distribute.
- Our larger warehouse will allow an increase in donated food across the Rocky Mountain region, expanding our ability to accept opportunity donations.
- The additional dock doors (going from 17 to 33) and cold dock area will provide improved quality and shelf-life for items coming from Denver to the Western Slope by increasing velocity for cold chain products.
This next chapter is possible because of your hard work, passion, commitment, and belief in the power of collaboration, and the new space is designed to strengthen and amplify our collective hunger-relief efforts across the Rockies.
We’re in the final stretch of the campaign, 85% of the way to our goal. We plan to move into the new facility this winter and will share information well in advance of the move. We encourage you to learn more and share our campaign website with colleagues, friends, and family.
I cannot fully put into words what your partnership means to us. You make our mission possible, and we are so grateful for everything you do to nourish our neighbors every day.
We’re excited to welcome each of you to our new home in a few short months! It is as much your facility as it is ours, and we hope it feels like a hub for community gatherings, collaborations, and ideas. Next time you are in Denver in 2026, we’d love to see you. Together, we can ensure every person experiencing food insecurity has the food they need to thrive.
Erin Pulling
President & CEO
Important Dates
Friday, August 8: CLOSED for Western Slope Staff Appreciation Retreat
Feeding Colorado Advocacy/Policy Update
Feeding Colorado is the state association of the Feeding America food banks serving all of Colorado and Wyoming.
This summer we were committed to including a push to connect with congressional delegations in Colorado and Wyoming regarding concerns with the budget reconciliation bill, federal nutrition priorities, and what food banks and Hunger Relief Partners have been seeing on the ground. We also hosted a listening session with Senator Michael Bennett, which included neighbors, producers, grocers, and partner agencies. The session highlighted that SNAP is our most effective tool to help nourish people facing food insecurity, and protecting it supports families, strengthens local economies, and upholds our nation’s commitment to addressing hunger.
Unfortunately, on July 4, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was signed into law. Estimates show that this bill includes the largest reductions to SNAP and Medicaid in history — nearly $200 billion from SNAP (equating to roughly 6 billion meals per year) and more than $900 billion from Medicaid, which could result in at least 8 million people losing access to healthcare coverage.
SNAP reductions will be realized through increases to paperwork requirements, more narrow eligibility requirements, and less flexibility in updating benefit levels to reflect rising food costs (taking effect in 2025), as well as shifting costs to states (taking effect in 2028). Across Colorado, over 600,000 people rely on SNAP to put food on their tables. For every meal that a food bank can provide, SNAP provides nine. The Medicaid changes will place an additional burden on people to choose between food on their tables and critical healthcare costs.
Feeding Colorado and Feeding America will continue having conversations with our federal and state delegations, monitoring timing and anticipated impacts of this bill, and keeping you updated regarding impacts on neighbors.
Share What You See in Your Community
Each of you, along with the neighbors you serve, knows hunger in your community best. Legislators need to hear from you! Sign up for Feeding Colorado’s Action Alerts via the link below. We will send opportunities to engage with our legislators on policies that make a difference in building a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.
Sign up here: secure.everyaction.com/HTD96rMrTESSLG3LCn-Aqw2
Program Updates
Compliance Reminders
It’s that time of year when you hear from Food Bank of the Rockies staff to remind you about two required trainings on topics that directly impact the well-being and dignity of the neighbors you serve: food safety and civil rights. As partners in providing vital food assistance, your commitment to these areas is paramount. Training completion is due by August 31.
Who should complete these training courses?
These trainings should be completed by:
- The main contact and/or supervisor/director for your organization;
- Those involved in direct pantry or distribution services; and
- Any volunteers or staff who deem neighbors eligible or ineligible for all food distribution programs, including but not limited to TEFAP and Everyday Eats.
Why Food Safety Matters
The food assistance you provide is often a lifeline for individuals and families in our community. Ensuring that this food is safe to eat is both a regulatory requirement and a fundamental responsibility we share. Unsafe food can lead to serious health issues, erode trust, and ultimately harm the very people we’re trying to help.
By prioritizing food safety, you protect the health of neighbors and uphold the integrity of your invaluable service. Your dedication to safe handling, storage, and distribution practices means every meal provided is a step toward better health and greater security for people experiencing food insecurity.
Why Civil Rights Matter
It is critical that we ensure every individual receives assistance with dignity, respect, and fairness, free from discrimination. Our commitment to civil rights means everyone, regardless of background, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected trait, has the support they need.
Upholding civil rights standards in your operations builds a more welcoming, fair, and equitable community. It reinforces the message that every neighbor is valued and deserves compassionate and impartial treatment. This creates an environment of trust and ensures our assistance reaches everyone who is experiencing hunger, without prejudice.
How to Access Training
You can find the trainings on the Partner Training Portal. If you have an existing log-in to our training platform, you have been enrolled in both courses. Once logged in, you will see both courses on the Home tab under Tasks. Click on the course name to start. If you have any questions about these requirements or accessing the training, reach out to jilldavis@foodbankrockies.org.
Food Sourcing Update
Exciting update! We are delighted to announce we have received a small amount of remaining funds from the state for the Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA). This program has been transformative to Food Bank of the Rockies for the last two years, enabling us to expand local agriculture sourcing to many new small- and mid-size Colorado growers and ranchers across the Western Slope. It provides partners and neighbors with fresh, nutrient-dense local produce and ground beef at no cost. While the program will not extend past this summer, we will bring more fresh local produce to our communities over the next few months. Keep your eye out for these local items on Agency Express!
Food Rescue Partner Highlight
The Village Market – Mountain Village, Telluride
Nestled at the top of the free gondola in Mountain Village, The Village Market is more than just a convenient stop for locals and tourists; it’s a generous Food Rescue Partner deeply rooted in the community. Since opening its doors in that location in 2020, The Village Market has made a big impact, donating over $25,000 in nourishing food last year alone to support neighbors facing hunger. Much of this product is shared with Angel Baskets, a longtime hunger-relief organization serving the Telluride region. Owner John Buxman Jr. and store manager David Breland lead the way with heart and hometown pride. John’s family ties to Telluride run deep, and his dedication to giving back is evident in every donation that helps keep families fed.
As one of just three grocery stores in the Telluride area, The Village Market goes above and beyond, offering cut-to-order meats thanks to their in-store butcher and a stunning selection of over 200 specialty cheeses. Buxman Enterprises also operates Village Market locations in Edwards, CO — another generous Grocery Rescue site — as well as in Moab, Utah, and Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho.
To John, David, and the incredible Village Market team: thank you for your commitment to reducing food waste and sharing abundance with your community. You help make the mountains even more beautiful.
New Staff Highlight
Western Slope Team Highlight: Welcome Gary Bowersock, Operations Manager
We’re thrilled to introduce Gary Bowersock as the newest member of our Western Slope team! Gary steps into the role of operations manager with a wealth of leadership experience, a deep love for western Colorado, and a passion for mission-driven work that beautifully aligns with our values at Food Bank of the Rockies.
Originally from Grand Junction, Gary is delighted to be back on the Western Slope, surrounded by the mesas and mountains he calls home. When he’s not gearing up to bring his vision and purpose to the Food Bank, Gary can usually be found outdoors — camping with his wife in their toy hauler camper or revving up his side-by-side for an off-road adventure. He’s also a proud family man and a doting grandpa of five, soon to be six, who’s known for epic sleepovers, fun family parties, and going all out for Halloween.
Gary brings decades of operations and infrastructure experience, most recently serving in various senior leadership roles at the Colorado School of Mines, where he oversaw everything from facilities management and capital construction to sustainability initiatives and even the implementation of a cutting-edge autonomous vehicle program. His background also includes 11 years of service in the United States Air Force, where he specialized in telecommunications systems and aerospace ground equipment.
With a strong foundation in leadership, financial planning, and team development, Gary is excited to channel his skills toward a cause that makes a tangible difference. He’s energized by the opportunity to support our work of nourishing communities and is already diving in to help strengthen and streamline our operational efforts across the region.
Please join us in giving Gary a warm welcome! If you ever want to swap camping stories or talk shop about strategic operations (or Halloween décor), he’s your guy.