Skip to main content

Blog, Insightful Stories and Updates

Stay up to date with the latest blogs from LIFT-UP.

Picture of Samantha Freese

Monday, Dec 22, 2025

LIFT-UP announces new Executive Director

Since its founding in 1982, LIFT-UP has provided countless individuals with a safety net through hard times from Aspen to Parachute. Now, the longtime nonprofit is entering a new chapter under new le…

Image of Liftup Food Truck

Thursday, Aug 14, 2025

Changes to SNAP will impact local immigrants

In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced states were to submit detailed information on all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants from the past five years. Thi…

Image of volunteer assisting in food bank

Friday, Aug 08, 2025

As government steps back, we must look after our own

Our valley is a land of stark contrasts, with great wealth coexisting with near-poverty. While many among us enjoy unprecedented luxury, thousands of families and individuals from Parachute to Aspen…

Image of food in crates

Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

“One Big Beautiful Bill” will increase hunger and strain food banks

While the stock market may be up and our local economy may seem strong, thousands of families from Parachute to Aspen continue to live paycheck to paycheck, relying on food assistance from nonprofits…

Image of LiftUp impacts report header

Tuesday, Apr 08, 2025

Sustaining Community: Our 2024 Impact Report

With over 188,000 guests served and 800,000 pounds of food distributed last year, our pantries continue meeting critical needs despite growing demand and declining donations. Read on for our full imp…

Interior of Lift-Up pantry

Friday, Feb 14, 2025

LIFT-UP Adjusts Operations to Strengthen Food Security Efforts

Announcement and Update Friday, February 14, 2025 Overview LIFT-UP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing equitable food access from Parachute to Aspen, is implementing operational chang…

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Celebrating Our Volunteers — Thank You for All You Do!

LIFT-UP has approximately 200 volunteers from the Parachute to Aspen corridor donating over 10,000 hours a year to our mission: “LIFT-UP is the leader in providing equitable food security for individ…

Harper Kaufman, owner of Two Roots Farm, harvest green beans in the field on the property in Emma on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.

Saturday, Oct 22, 2022

Farmers Say Quality is Worth the Cost

Farmers said that those who come to purchase goods at farmers markets should work to understand how the value of their produce matches the price rather than questioning it. “This isn’t Walmart. So…

Education director Corina Person Minniti helps the children pick flowers for an art project on Thursday at the Farm Collaborative outside Aspen.

Friday, Oct 21, 2022

Passion for AG Starts Young

Local farms are working to educate and involve youth in local food systems in response to the rising census age in farmers and dwindling number of viable farms in the country. Eden Vardy, director o…

Sampling of the fresh produce boxes from Early Morning Orchard typically sent to local food pantries, like LIFT-UP. These boxes specifically are to be sent to Head Start Program pantries.

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2022

Local Farms Get a Lift-Up

The non-profit organization LIFT-UP has fed people in need for the past 40 years with food pantries and distribution centers throughout Pitkin and Garfield counties. Now, they are helping local farms…