Food Security: A Primer By Cassidy Tawse-Garcia, Executive Director, Gunnison Country Food Pantry

Food Security Definition “People are considered food secure when they have availability and adequate access at all times to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” – United Nations World Food Programme

Clarifications: Food Security Food Insecurity Hunger “Having access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.” (CO Blueprint to End Hunger) Food Insecurity “A household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” (CO Blueprint to End Hunger) Hunger “An individual-level physiological condition that may result from food insecurity.” (CO Blueprint to End Hunger)

Definition Continued… Food Access Nutrition Health/ Equity

Level of concentrated poverty Community Indicators Food Security Access to Resources SNAP/ WIC enrollment FARM enrollment Cost of Living Level of concentrated poverty

In Colorado: 1 in 10 residents are food insecure Including 1 in 6 children and 1 in 10 seniors Existing Hunger and Nutrition Programs are underutilized: Ranking 44th in the country for SNAP and 48th for WIC For SNAP, that’s 6 in 10 of those eligible 36% of Coloradans experiencing hunger earn too much money to qualify for SNAP/WIC These residents rely on food banks and pantries Rising cost of living is pushing more people to the edge

In Gunnison It is estimated that 2700 residents are Food Insecure (2015 OVPP “State of the Valley Report”) As of July 2018, 4500 individuals are on public benefit programs (Gunnison DHHS) For the 2017-2018 school year, avg. of 24% of students qualified for Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) (Gunnison Watershed School District) Between 2000 – 2013 there was a 17% increase in kids living in poverty (2015 CO Kids Count Report) Gunnison has the highest percentage of children living in “concentrated poverty in the state,” at 23% (2015 CO Kids Count Report) The Multicultural Resource Center serves 552 people a year (2015 stat) In 2017, through our four programs, the Gunnison Country Food Pantry served 3500 people, of that 2,600 came to our Pantry for services. That is 1 in 5 residents in Gunnison County

Cost of Living Research shows that in times of economic prosperity, Food Pantries experience more use, because the cost of living is increase and wages are not keeping up. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/despite-improved-economy-visits-to-food- banks-are-up/ This means: more money is going to rent, and less is left for food. In Gunnison, 27% of renters spend more than 50% of their monthly income on rent.

We must find “gatekeepers” in these populations New areas of need College students Immigrant population Seasonal workers We must find “gatekeepers” in these populations

What we can do: Increase enrollment in existing Federal programs High return on investment for improved health and increases local economy through grocery store purchases Support local entities working on Food Security Efforts Mountain Roots Food Project Gunnison Country Food Pantry Faith-based organizations Farmers Markets DHHS New Healthy Futures Program

What we can do: Increase Food Donations to defray costs of providing food assistance The Pantry currently must raise $40,000 per year to ensure fresh produce, meat and dairy are available to recipients Talk to your representatives and municipalities about the importance of supporting Food Security efforts We cannot become a resort economy where our work force cannot afford to live here. Work collaboratively!

Education is key! “You can give a man a fish, but if you teach him to fish…” (Did I get that right?!) Creates Self-Sufficiency, which is ultimate goal

Education leads to… Access Education Self-Sufficiency

Thank you so much for you time! Reach out to me anytime at director@gunnisonfoodpantry.org 303-913-8897 Best, Cassidy Tawse-Garcia