On Friday, May 2, the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal was released and included the elimination of CSFP. This is the first step in a long budget process, during which Congress will create FY26 appropriations bills, allowing many opportunities to suggest strategies to improve or strengthen CSFP. With the cost of living on the rise, CSFP is more important for our older adult neighbors than ever. If not fully funded by Congress, our most vulnerable older adults will face difficult choices as they lose access to the nutritious food they need to support their health.
I believe in the power of the collective voice from each of you who see the faces of hunger daily, and I encourage you to reach out to your representatives to ask them to add their name to the sign-on letter sponsored by J. Luis Correa urging the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies to provide sufficient funding to maintain, at a minimum, the program’s current caseload of 707,000 participants nationally per month, or 5,940 neighbors monthly in Colorado
Your voice and experience can have a significant impact, ensuring that our older adult neighbors do not go hungry. To find your local representative, please
To sign up to be an advocate with Feeding Colorado, please .
Sincerely,
Britni Stupin
Director of Food Distribution Strategy
Important Dates
Please open the following link for important information regarding order dates and schedule changes surrounding our End of Year Inventory process: End of year inventory closure Partner ALERT 2025.docx
Food Bank of the Rockies will be CLOSED on Friday, July 5. There will be no make-up days.
Feeding Colorado Advocacy/Policy Update
Feeding Colorado State Updates
The Colorado General Assembly completed its session on May 7, 2025. Our state bill tracker on our website demonstrates the status of bills we followed during the 2025 Colorado General Assembly.
After a significantly challenging budget year for the state, the Community Food Provider Assistance Grant is now at $2 million.
Federal Updates
We are closely tracking the federal budget reconciliation process, which contains threats to both SNAP and Medicaid. We are prepared to engage with Senate and House members and oppose these deep cuts to critical programs like SNAP. We were able to get Colorado senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to sign a letter pushing back on the proposed cuts.
We are tracking federal program changes very closely and are in communication with state agencies, food bank programs staff, and leadership to understand real-time impacts to programs and neighbors. In addition, we are in close contact with our members of Congress and advocate frequently for the programs our network relies on.
Action Alerts
Are you interested in getting more involved in advocacy? Fill out this form to learn more and get involved! We will be sharing action alerts, updates, and newsletters to subscribers in the coming months.
Government Programs
Everyday Eats Updated Application Forms and Income Guidelines
CDHS has recently updated application forms and income guidelines for the Everyday Eats Program. All forms can be found HERE.
Food for Kids Update
Totes of Hope® Summer Renewal
Please remember to continue entering your Totes of Hope® distribution numbers into Link2Feed, as this helps our team share the impact you make in your communities through this program. Thank you for your continued partnership!
Annual Hunger Relief Partner Survey
Food Bank of the Rockies values you as a Hunger Relief Partner. We, therefore, prioritize learning about your organization’s satisfaction with our partnership and products. Your feedback is invaluable to inform us how we can provide you with the best possible customer service and food options.
We appreciate your time completing our annual survey, which should take no longer than 15 minutes. Your honest answers will help us better understand how we can best work with you to address hunger in our communities. All responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your contact information. It is an honor to ignite the power of community together with you to nourish our neighbors facing hunger with dignity and respect. Your participation in this survey will directly contribute to our ability to better serve you and the neighbors you assist.
More information to come soon!
Nutrition Update
Salads are an excellent way to make sure you are meeting your daily needs for fresh fruits and vegetables. However, not every salad is created equal! It’s important to include a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to make sure your salads are satisfying and keep you full until your next meal.
Here are some tips to getting the most out of your salads:
- Start with fiber-filled leafy greens such as spinach, romaine, kale, or arugula.
- Add a whole grain such as brown rice, quinoa, or bulgur for fiber and added energy. Aim for a serving of 1/3 cup up to 1/2 cup.
- Add at least 2-3 veggies. Raw, grilled, or roasted veggies such as cucumber, tomato, carrots, cabbage, beets, or bell peppers add additional flavor and more nutritional benefits.
- Choose a protein. Animal-based sources can include chicken, tuna, shrimp, salmon, or hard-boiled eggs. Plant-based sources can include tofu, tempeh, edamame, cottage cheese, beans, or chickpeas.
- Add some toppings to make it fun! Ideally, choose options that provide some healthy fats to help your body absorb the vitamins and minerals found in vegetables. Keep in mind that some of these foods can also be high in calories, so add them sparingly. Options include:
- Avocado
- Lower-fat cheese (e.g. light cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, feta, goat cheese)
- Legumes (e.g. kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, white or black beans)
- Nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.)
- Seeds (e.g. sunflower, hemp, chia, flax, etc.)
- Fruit (e.g. berries, raisins, clementine slices, etc.)
- Make or choose a healthy dressing. If using a store-bought dressing, moderation is key — add a bit of dressing, toss, and taste to see if you need to add any more. Or try making your own dressing at home with ingredients such as olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Partner Highlight
Let’s Talk Food: Spring 2025 Western Slope Regional Partner Workshops
This spring, we gathered with our incredible Western Slope Hunger Relief Partners in Glenwood Springs and Montrose for a Regional Western Slope Partner Workshop — a time to connect, learn, laugh, and celebrate the important work we all do together!
From the moment the doors opened, the room filled with the buzz of conversation and the shared purpose of helping nourish our neighbors facing hunger.
One of the big highlights? The Food Safety Basics Review, expertly conducted by Jonathan Knight, Food Bank of the Rockies Executive Chef. With a broad culinary background — including time as the Chef for Children’s Hospital in Denver — Jonathan brought engaging energy and deep expertise to the session. We laughed a lot during the Tolerance Roulette interactive demo, as we explored food rescue considerations and partner insights — because no one knows this work better than you, the folks on the front lines.
Before lunch, we turned to nutrition with a session guided by Jennie Kim, Food Bank of the Rockies Nutrition Manager and Certified Dietitian. Jennie walked us through the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) program, sharing how the SWAP kit helps partners highlight more nutritious and nutrient-rich foods. Her passion for health and access shone through, sparking meaningful conversations and interactive activities among partners.
We also touched on Food Rescue recognition, honoring the many challenges we all navigate with donated items. From well-meaning donors to dedicated Hunger Relief Partners, everyone comes to this work with good intentions. Still, the responsibility of identifying issues and ensuring the safe handling of rescued food is no small task — and we’re grateful for your commitment and care in this critical work.
We wrapped up with a nourishing lunch and networking time — a chance to build connections, share stories, and remind each other that none of us is doing this alone.
These workshops remind us how powerful our collective effort is. Whether you’re packing boxes, coordinating volunteers, or sorting produce, your dedication fuels hope across the Western Slope. Thank you for showing up every day for people facing hunger.
Here’s to learning, laughter, and partnership — we can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together next!