Inflation is affecting food prices all over Colorado, but even more so in rural and remote communities where access to food is harder to come by, and in resort communities where the cost of living has already been higher than many can afford. Norwood is in the cross hairs between rural and resort communities due to its remote location and being a commuter community for Telluride’s workforce. Because of this, the variety of food in Norwood’s grocery stores tends to be a bit more limited, while at the same time costing more than it would in larger neighboring cities such as Montrose, Grand Junction and Cortez.
For many residents of Wright’s Mesa, Colorado’s inflation rate, the cost of living, and the price of gas in the region is taking its toll on residents as grocery bills continue to rise and the ability to access food becomes more difficult. Many residents are being forced to make decisions about the type and quality of food they buy, which in return may lead to negative impacts on the overall health of residents in our community. But there is good news! Thanks to the efforts from many local non profits and producers, community volunteers, donations and food programs, opportunities to eat healthy, fresh, local food are available for everyone in our community!
Fresh Food For Those In Need
Christ in Focus Food Bank
Did you know that Norwood’s local food bank is open to everyone in the community, regardless of income level, and there is no limit to the number of weekly distributions individuals may receive? Did you also know that much of the food provided just happens to be fresh and local?
Christ in Focus Food Bank takes advantage of the FRESH Foundation’s wholesale program by ordering local, fresh and healthy food for those in need. The food bank orders local food from the FRESH Foundation’s wholesale website, and the FRESH Foundation applies subsidies for each order through grants and community donations. Food bank orders are discounted thanks to additional funding the FRESH Foundation receives.
Christ in Focus Food Bank offers in-person and drive-thru distributions simultaneously. Food distributions are weekly on Wednesday’s from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Seniors may pick up their senior boxes once a month, any week they choose. All Points Transit offers free rides to and from Christ in Focus Food Bank. Call (970) 249-0128 to organize a ride. Christ In Focus Food Bank is located at Christ in 1470 S. Spruce St. in Norwood.
Looking for ways to help your community? Christ in Focus Food Bank is in need of volunteers to help unload trucks on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Volunteers are also needed during the weekly distributions each Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. A Spanish speaking volunteer is also needed during the weekly distributions from 3:30 to 6:00 PM each Wednesday.
Community donations are always appreciated! If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to get more local food to our food banks, please send a check to: Fresh Foundation, P.O. Box 82, Norwood, CO 81423 with the memo “Food Banks”
Follow Christ In Focus Food Bank on Facebook for updates!
Young Family Support
The Family Wellness Program of the San Juans aims to support young families in our region where cost of living is high. The program is helping the community by providing wholesome, local food, breastfeeding education, and wellness offerings to help support young families in our region. By partnering with local food producers and health and wellness experts, the Family Wellness Program of the San Juans not only supports the physical, mental and emotional growth and health of young families, but also the health and strength of our local economy, food shed, and parenting community.
The Family Wellness Program of the San Juans serves young families from pregnancy through five years of age in Ouray and San Miguel Counties. Families are eligible based on income and family size. You will receive a monthly food box containing a variety of local foods, nutrition and wellness counseling and financial assistance with holistic care visits. For more information or to apply, visit sanjuanfamilywellness.com or call Amy at (970) 708-4365.
Senior Lunches
Seniors, get out and join your fellow senior community members and enjoy a free meal and some good old fashioned socialization at the Norwood Community Center every third Monday of the month at Noon! The FRESH Foundation supports the senior meal program by providing fresh and local food for all of the meals. Seniors of any age, income and residency are welcome to attend.
The senior meal program is in need of volunteers! Help your community and help look after our seniors. Any amount of time you can donate makes a BIG impact!
To get on the senior meals reminder call list or to volunteer your time, please contact Amanda Pierce at (970) 327-4288 to volunteer your time!
Follow the Town of Norwood on Facebook for updates!
The FRESH Foundation’s CSA & Wholesale Programs, and Online Ordering
CSA Program
Each year, the FRESH Foundation offers a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm share full of locally-grown organic produce which helps support the community and local producers at the same time. The CSA program runs for 14 weeks during the summer growing season. Each share receives a variety of seasonal veggies and fruits from right here in Norwood and all across the Western Slope, and may also include local, pasture-raised, grass-finished beef.
CSA shares are available for pick up each week at both the Norwood Market and the Market On The Plaza in Mountain Village. Stay tuned for updates on the FRESH Foundation’s summer CSA Program, visit freshfoodhub.net, follow on Facebook, or call Sam Andrews at (970) 708-8430 for more information!
Wholesale Program & Online Ordering
The FRESH Foundation Wholesale Program offers locally grown and affordable products from around the region to local retailers, small businesses and institutions, as well as individuals in the Wright’s Mesa region! Enjoy affordable pricing, smaller case sizes and streamlined local food procurement.
The FRESH Foundation:
- Focuses on keeping margins low.
- Keeps case sizes small to accommodate smaller scale buyers.
- Can be reached directly and has excellent customer service.
- Doesn’t have any minimums.
- Makes setting up an account is easy and hassle free.
- Website is easy to use and orders can be placed fast.
- Subsidizes food banks and other programs like senior lunches so you’re supporting food security when you shop.
To learn more about ordering fresh food online through the Fresh Foundation, click here!
Local Gardeners and Producers
The Norwood Community Garden
Wanting to save some $$ and grow fresh produce of your own, but don’t have space for a garden? The Norwood Community Garden has you covered! Snag yourself a 10’x10’ or 10’x20’ plot and start growing your own spring, summer or even fall harvest! Plots are available to rent and raw water and tools are provided free of charge! Head on over to the Norwood Community Garden Facebook group to learn more, and contact Marylin at (970) 708-4915 to reserve your plot today!
Want to learn more about gardening on Wright’s Mesa? Click here!!
Norwood Market
This past season, the FRESH Foundation with the help of High Country Bicycles took a major step in bringing fresh, local, organic produce to the Norwood by setting up a consistent weekly farmers market next to the bike shop each Thursday.
Individual Gardeners and Producers
The FRESH Foundation is continually adding new supplies to their online wholesale, sourcing from local and regional individual gardeners, producers, farmers and ranchers. Have you considered selling your products? If you…
- are a farmer or rancher looking for more opportunities to sell your products,
- have a garden that is going gangbusters with a surplus of veggies,
- have extra eggs you need to unload,
- bee keep, make preserves, sauces or pickled goods,
- are interested in selling wholesale…
The FRESH Foundation would like to partner with you and feature your products! The FRESH foundation can also help connect you with information and resources you may be looking for, including becoming a certified egg dealer, and utilizing WEEDC’s (West End Economic Development Corporation’s) commercial kitchen and small business resources. If you are interested in selling your products wholesale, please contact Leila with the FRESH Foundation at [email protected] for more information.
Local Food Classes
The FRESH Foundation partners with Tri-County Health Network to bring cooking classes to residents of Wright’s Mesa. Past classes have included the West End Family Link Food Fair and the Whole Grains Class, endorsed by the Colorado State University Extension Office, which gave residents an opportunity to learn how to cook with whole grains. Both classes were part of the Cooking Matters series that has been taking place in the area the last few years. For more on these classes, check out this article in The Norwood Post, and be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming classes!