What We Do
Grow Local Colorado tends garden sites at city parks, churches, schools, rehabilitation facilities and even a few backyards. By growing in our community, we not only provide nutritious food to those lacking access to such choices, but we also demonstrate how to do so in a sustainable way. Many of our gardens are sheet mulched, using materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. We use drip irrigation to conserve water. No chemicals are used in our gardens. The only way we can tend all our gardens and grow so much food is with the help of volunteers. In 2023 alone 2,000 volunteers tended our 19 sites. We can always use additional helpers. If you're interested in participating, contact us at GrowLocalColorado@gmail.com.
In 2020 we joined 13 other organizations in the metro area to form Grow Food Feed People. By joining forces, we can cut costs, increase efficiencies, share knowledge, and provide more produce for our neighbors lacking access to healthy food. In 2024 GFFP members provided over 140,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries, soup kitchens, school cafeterias and shelters.
Each spring we partner with several organizations to provide a seed swap. By sharing seeds we encourage more members of our community grow their own food, and when there is excess, share it with those in need.
In mid-summer we partner with Slow Food Denver to present We Tend To Grow events. Participants sign up to help at some of our larger garden sites. After weeding and harvesting the group breaks for brunch, made from locally sourced food.
In 2020 we joined 13 other organizations in the metro area to form Grow Food Feed People. By joining forces, we can cut costs, increase efficiencies, share knowledge, and provide more produce for our neighbors lacking access to healthy food. In 2024 GFFP members provided over 140,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries, soup kitchens, school cafeterias and shelters.
Each spring we partner with several organizations to provide a seed swap. By sharing seeds we encourage more members of our community grow their own food, and when there is excess, share it with those in need.
In mid-summer we partner with Slow Food Denver to present We Tend To Grow events. Participants sign up to help at some of our larger garden sites. After weeding and harvesting the group breaks for brunch, made from locally sourced food.
In the fall we host gleaning events a few times each week, from September through October. Local fruit tree owners offer up their trees to harvest and scores of volunteers help us pick thousands of pounds of fruit. We shared this healthy and delicious fruit with over 30 organizations in our community. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out when and where we'll be gleaning.