Fresh Food Connect

We are bringing in a new source of highly nutritious, fresh, local produce for hunger relief efforts all across Colorado.  Fresh Food Connect's mobile app engages gardeners and redirects a currently untapped resource-- homegrown garden produce-- to support local organizations on the frontlines of hunger in the very same own communities, ensuring that what could have been food waste is instead reaching the plates of our community members facing food insecurity. 

Our garden-to-plate model relies on our mobile app technology, intensive network building efforts, and your financial support, to reach communities all across the state. We've facilitated the donation of over 50,000 pounds of garden produce hyperlocally to over 30,000 individuals facing food insecurity so far this year. Help us reach more individuals and families in 2025 by supporting today! 

*YOUR IMPACT IS DOUBLED: All donations received through December 31, 2024 will be doubled through a matching grant*

Your gifts helps us to: 

The problem:

1. This year, an estimated 54 million Americans, or 1 in 4 children, will face food insecurity.
2. 40% of the food in the United States goes to waste. Not only does that pull from our strained food system and those facing hunger, it also creates significant, yet avoidable, environmental impacts that further climate change.
3. Organizations working on the frontlines of hunger often struggle to supply enough fresh, local, nutrient-dense produce to their communities.

An opportunity: 

1. Gardening is on the rise. 35% of Americans have a home or community garden, with the average plot size of 600 square feet. And there are approximately 35,000 community garden plots nationwide! 
2.  89% of our participating gardeners had never donated their produce to hunger relief organizations before using Fresh Food Connect.

FFC’s Solution

FFC’s mobile app closes this gap, creating capacity for local hunger relief organizations to source homegrown produce at scale, while making it easy for gardeners to donate excess produce, rather than allowing it to go to waste. 

Community-based hunger relief & food access organizations (“Operators”) license our technology to coordinate multiple incoming donations of homegrown produce. In addition to accessing an untapped source of local  produce, Operators broaden their reach by connecting with local gardening communities and a national network of similar organizations.

Gardeners use the free FFC app to identify their closest Operator, and schedule produce donations. We provide a meaningful, engaging, and easy way for gardeners to share  homegrown produce with community members who need it most, rather than allowing it to go to waste.

What our network is saying: 

"Fresh produce is one of the most highly requested items for families facing food insecurity."  

          - community hunger relief partner organization 

"Oh that's smart! [the app] That's a really great idea. People are able to get local and organic veggies."
          -9 year old program participant

"Growing produce is a labor of love and donating it is one way I show love to my community."

         - Denver gardener 

"Homegrown produce is valuable to the people we serve because it fosters a deeper connection to the land, offers superior flavor and nutrition, and is free from harmful chemicals, promoting both physical and environmental well-being."

        - community hunger relief partner organization 

"BFR has partnered with FFC for going on 3 seasons. It is a welcome supplement of fresh food to our existing relationships with early childhood education centers and low income housing communities. We have made connections with home gardeners that are making a positive impact in the community."
-Boulder Food Rescue, Operating partner

Your financial support deepens our impact in many communities across Colorado, and will allow us to reach new local communities in 2025: