Farmers and Ranchers:
Partnership for a Cause

Attracting A New Generation Of Both Farmers And Chefs, Driven By Dedication And A Drive To Work With A Purpose.

In two years, LIFT-UP’s association with Early Morning Orchard has increased sales by over 150%. But this is not just about numbers—it’s about people.

We help build the strength and resiliency of families, communities, and individuals through the provision of healthy foods. LIFT-UP has a deep commitment to helping people in need. It is our belief that everyone deserves access to healthy food, and we work hard to make it happen.

During the pandemic, so much was lost. Livelihoods, crops, and many clients vanished with the pandemic’s arrival. But instead of having to lay off staff and face ruin, Early Morning Orchard teamed up with LIFT-UP. Since then, we have received exponential support—and all it took was one small order. From there, our partnership developed into what it is today: a mutually beneficial relationship that continues to grow.

The program has allowed the farm to help solve food insecurities but also uplift the lives of farmers and employees. Farmers and staff have benefited from the partnership by receiving raises, improved housing, and other benefits. The farm is able to continue growing with the new infrastructure in place.

Future of Farming through LIFT-UP

The future of farming is sustainable. It’s regenerative, too: We grow nutrient-dense foods and then ensure that everyone gets the nutrients they need through our outreach efforts with LIFT-UP. It is because of LIFT-UP’s support that we are able to develop and implement sustainable, regenerative farming practices on our farms. We grow, we give, and then we grow more- so we can give more. It’s a new cycle to replace the cycle of poverty.

Our farm is a place where people can come together and work toward a common goal. It’s an opportunity for us to be successful together, as a community. We want to create space for people to learn about the land and how it can help them thrive in their own lives. A return to eating wholesome, nutritious food can help uplift communities more than the simple shelf-stable products that have become staples in America. Because calorie-dense food like that is often devoid of nourishing qualities, it doesn’t help break the cycle of poverty, hunger, and disease. With LIFT-UP we are able to satiate not only those basic needs— but hope as well.

Helping the hungry and giving everyone, including farmers, an opportunity to succeed.

Feeding families is just the beginning. It opens a door for them, allowing them to move on from their previous situations and into ones that are more empowering. Dedication to feeding people—that’s what it’s really all about!

History of the Farm 2 Food Pantry Program

LIFT-UP saw the need for healthier fresh food options beyond the typical non-perishable canned, boxed, and bagged foods that oftentimes are laden with extra salt and sugars. Some initial grants, from Colorado Blueprint on Hunger, Hunger Free Colorado, and Aspen Community Foundation, allowed for the purchase of fresh meat from Potter Farms as well as produce from local farms.

The Farm to Food Pantry program expansion during the height of the past year’s COVID-19 pandemic was a win-win for our community economically and in providing healthier food options to those struggling with food scarcity and insecurity. After years of encouraging gleaning during fall harvests, partnerships with farmers’ markets and a grocery rescue program that in 2019 received more than 371,000 pounds of fresh produce and dairy, plus the recent grants as outlined above, LIFT-UP had tested the waters.

The Farm to Food Pantry program helped our entire community. This is an economic system that offered improved food offerings, from more producers, through community food sites like the LIFT-UP mobile food distribution sites to the underserved.

LIFT-UP continues to serve more clients with healthier food choices, helps farmers and ranchers with known paid food purchasing commitments and keeps the resources in Parachute to Aspen Corridor.

“This program will serve to provide, urgent forward-funding for farm fresh purchasing, as well as the necessary infrastructure to serve our region safely and efficiently: One thing that is certain in the world of nutrition is that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the best way to combat chronic disease, doing this affordably is possible by purchasing what is in season and resisting spending money on processed foods. “

Stephanie Nick, Cooking Matters Program Coordinator, Garfield County Public Health.

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The Impact of Farm 2 Food Pantry program

Supports the local economy with the purchase of produce, dairy and meat from local farmers and ranchers.
Allows farms and ranches to plan for crops and needs.
Provides healthier food options to the underserved population from Parachute to Aspen beyond the traditional nonperishable food sources resulting in potentially fewer negative health impacts.
Creates a system with a lower impact on our environment with less trucking from outside Colorado resources.
Through grants and donations, LIFT-UP makes purchasing commitments to local farms and ranchers as well as regionally for additional produce and dairy.

Farmers will have received both immediate purchases and up-front commitments; providing funding to grow their crops.
Fall gleaning will be delivered to LIFT-UP through our partner UpRoot.
LIFT-UP continues to distribute fresh produce, dairy and meat to their underserved clients in need.
Beyond the typical grocery rescue, this program will also allow for ordering foods in keeping with cultural diversity and seasonality, while also allowing for flexibility in accepting secondary market produce or adjustments should a crop not produce as expected due to natural disasters or other unforeseen situations.

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THE F2FP PROCESS

Through grants and donations, LIFT-UP will make purchasing commitments to local (Parachute to Aspen corridor) farms and ranchers as well as regionally for additional produce and dairy.

Farmers will have up-front commitments and funding to grow their crops.
Fall harvesting will be delivered to LIFT-UP through local distributors (Farm Runners and Skips) to the LIFT-UP warehouse.
LIFT-UP will distribute fresh produce, dairy and meat to their underserved clients in need.
Beyond the typical grocery rescue, this program will also allow for ordering foods in keeping with cultural diversity and seasonality, while also allowing for flexibility in accepting secondary market produce or adjustments should a crop not produce as expected due to natural disasters or other unforeseen situations.

Farmers and Ranchers: Partnership for a Cause