Goal of the Routt County Food Assessment: Increase availability and consumption of affordable fruits and vegetables in Routt County (3D) Question: Are we maximizing our food environment, policies and programs to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for all residents?

History LiveWell Northwest CO initiated a group to address the local food system (CSU Extension, Community Ag Alliance, producers, Yampa Valley Coop, Deep Roots) meetings with goal to develop a structure for the group and complete a community food assessment hired WPM Consulting to complete the assessment using data already collected by the work group and incorporating other primary and secondary sources. May first meeting of the NCFC (Northwest CO Food Coalition) Nov NCFC developed a 2013 strategic plan based on the Food Assessment findings

Mission and Vision of the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition (NCFC) The mission is to facilitate communication, collaboration, and integrate solutions among individuals and organizations to develop and sustain a resilient food system in Northwest Colorado. The vision is to be recognized as the leader in assuring the Northwest Colorado community has equitable access to a resilient food system.

Access Defined Access includes: Physical access- do residents have access to food outlets? Economic access- are healthy foods available and affordable? Nutritional access- are varied, healthy food options available? Social and cultural access- Does consumer demand for healthy foods exist and is it being met?

Key findings- Economic Access Are healthy foods available and affordable? Yes and No- are available but not affordable for all residents Supporting data: 14% of population is food insecure (3180): 27% of those meets SNAP qualification (130% of poverty), 17% meet qualify for LiftUp ( % of poverty; 54% are not eligible for local or federal programs.

17.7% of children are food insecure (770), 47% of those are eligible for federal nutrition programs; 53% of these are not eligible for federal nutrition programs; 24% are not eligible for local or federal programs Average cost for a meal in CO is $2.43 Average cost for a meal in Routt County is $3.12 Reminder: Routt CO families need income more than 3x the federal poverty level to make ends meet.

Key findings: Physical Access Do residents have access to food outlets? Yes. Supporting Data: GIS data mapping- Most residents live within an adequate range to access food. There are some concerns that outlying community members with lower income have too far to go to get to a pantry or grocer. We live in a “Food Swamp” national average unhealthy retail options: healthy = 5:1, Steamboat Springs =17:1 Routt County = 7:1.

Key Findings: Nutritional Access Are varied, healthy food options available? Yes and no. They are available but residents are unhappy with local selection and report low rates of fruit and vegetable consumption. Obesity rates: Routt County Adults: 12.8% obese; 38.4% overwt CO adults: 58% obese/overwt Routt County Children: increase 5% from , range from 15-33% of children are obese/overwt

Consumption of fruits and vegetables: 48% of adults are eating 1 ½ cups or less of fruits/vegetables each day. 70% of children are eating 1 ½ cups or less of fruits/vegetables each day. Over 80% of children are drinking one or more sugar sweetened beverages each day.

Key Findings: Nutritional Access Barriers to access of fruits and vegies: 42% of survey respondents report NO barriers to accessing fruits and vegies Most common barrier to access is cost. Barriers do not vary significantly when income is taken into account (above and below $50,000).

Barriers to consumption of fruits and vegies: 62% of survey respondents report NO barriers to consumption. Most common barrier- time to prepare food For those who report no fruit/vegie consumption, the barriers are time and tastes and preferences of family. Barriers do not vary significantly when income is taken into account.

Key findings: Social and Cultural Access Does consumer demand for healthy foods exist and is it being met? Yes and No. Local demand for fresh and local produce exists but it is going unmet. Supporting data: Survey responses indicate residents are very interested in direct-from-grower foods (from CO) in the places they already shop. 95% of survey respondents indicated that locally grown items are important to them. 44% said they would pay more for locally grown items.

Next Steps Recommendations for Action from : Educate, Advocate and Develop Policy Activities for 2013 Educate local policy makers, organizations, businesses, schools and the public about: overweight trends in Routt County “hidden” food insecure populations- including high local food and meal costs how to eat healthier (increase fruit/vegetable consumption rates) and more affordably local produce options