Después de que los votantes de Colorado aprobaran el año pasado una medida para ofrecer comidas gratuitas a todos los alumnos de escuelas públicas, independientemente de su capacidad de pago, unos 41 grupos comunitarios de todo el estado están trabajando para apoyar y promover el nuevo programa en comunidades de difícil acceso.

Rachel Landis dirige Good Food Collective, que trabaja en la región de Four Corners. Dice que las comidas escolares son una de las principales fuentes de calorías y nutrición para una gran parte de los estudiantes.

"Al invertir en comidas escolares más saludables -y luego en el acceso universal a las mismas- nos aseguramos de que los estudiantes puedan tener una nutrición que les permita aprender, tener éxito," asegura Landis, "y, en última instancia, alcanzar su máximo potencial como residentes de Colorado."

Colorado Access Foundation y Colorado Health Foundation han comprometido conjuntamente $1.5 millones de dólares para promover los beneficios de la nueva iniciativa estatal Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos. Las familias ya no tienen que inscribirse para recibir comidas gratuitas, pero los grupos están ayudando a los padres a rellenar las solicitudes de beneficios que pueden ayudar a las escuelas a obtener fondos adicionales. Están animando a los padres a unirse a juntas locales para ayudar a configurar los menús escolares de sus hijos.

El nuevo programa también espera que sea un impulso para los agricultores independientes de Colorado. El juez Onwordi del Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, dice que, a partir del próximo año, las escuelas que opten por participar podrán aprovechar los diez millones de dólares disponibles para comprar alimentos ricos en nutrientes de origen local.

"También intentamos trabajar con las escuelas para entablar relaciones con los productores locales, de modo que cuando haya fondos disponibles, más escuelas se animen a utilizarlos," explica Onwordi. "Así pueden ofrecer más cocina casera en sus escuelas, y asegurarse de que tienen más alimentos frescos para los estudiantes."

Landis afirma que las escuelas también están encontrando formas creativas de disipar el estigma asociado con frecuencia a la comida de cafetería. Señala el éxito de una granja hidropónica en una escuela secundaria de Durango donde, como parte del plan de estudios de ciencias, los alumnos comen lo que cultivan.

"La escuela secundaria acaba de aprender eso, dice Landis. "Luego, en el vecino condado de Montezuma, hay un programa de la escuela a la granja que está formando a la próxima generación de agricultores, y parte de esa comida acaba en los comedores."

Groups working to fight hunger in California are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect funding for the CalFood program in his initial budget proposal, which comes out Jan. 10.

CalFood allows food banks to purchase things that are not often donated - such as eggs, milk, produce, meat and cheese - from California farmers.

Becky Silva, director of government relations for the California Association of Food Banks, said CalFood has enjoyed a temporary boost for the past three years - so, unless the line item is made permanent, funding levels would see a major drop next summer, at the end of the fiscal year.

"So, that means that it'll go from the current approximately $62 million per year down to about $8 million," she said, "and so obviously, food banks are incredibly worried about what that will mean."

She said the food banks are asking for a permanent allocation of $60 million a year in order to avoid big cuts in service. The association estimates that a 1% drop in hunger prevents $600 million in health-care costs, while supporting farmers and food producers in the Golden State.

The association represents 41 food banks that served about 6 million people per month in 2023, which is a 20% increase, year over year. Silva said hunger levels jumped during the COVID pandemic and have not come back down.

"Food insecurity rates are not decreasing, right? Even though a lot of people think of the pandemic as being over," she said, "the economic impacts are still being felt by people all over the state."

Once the governor releases his blueprint, the Legislature will start negotiations. Lawmakers have until June 15 to produce a final budget.


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New funding is making it easier than ever for Oregon farmers to become certified organic.

To achieve certification, farmers must go three years without using synthetic additives such as fertilizers or pesticides. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon has launched the Organic Transition Initiative to provide financial and technical support.

Ben Bowell, director of education and advocacy for the group Oregon Tilth, noted the funding is especially valuable because the transition can be costly.

"During that time they have to be farming as organic farmers but they are not able to access an organic crop premium," Bowell pointed out.

Farmers can also get support through the initiative to develop organic systems for fertilization, building soil and controlling weeds.

Bowell explained the initiative is one of a three-part national USDA Organic Transition Initiative. This five-year program provides mentorship from experienced organic farmers, technical assistance and an organic market development program. He emphasized with the three programs, the combined $300 million investment in organic farming is historic.

"Right now is an amazing time to consider transitioning to organic in terms of all of the support that's available," Bowell stated.

Erica Thompson, farm operations manager for the U-pick blueberry farm Blueberry Meadows near Corvallis, which has been in her family since 1993, is a little over a year into the three-year process. She said figuring out a new fertility program and disease management has been a challenge, along with understanding the application and documentation process.

Thompson added working with the Organic Transition Initiative has been helpful.

"Being part of it has really solved or like is in the process of solving all my questions and uncertainties," Thompson observed.

Along with farmers, support is available for ranchers and forest landowners looking to go organic. Applications for the current round of funding are due Jan. 17.


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A Detroit nonprofit said it is helping people in the city reclaim control over the food they eat from where it is grown to where they buy it.

The Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network is leading the mission for what they call "food sovereignty," focusing on helping Detroiters access healthy, culturally meaningful food and taking control of its sustainable production while addressing food insecurity.

Shakara Tyler, board president of the network, said they operate a seven-acre farm in Detroit's River Rouge Park.

"We grow food so it's more accessible for community members, so they don't have to rely on liquor stores and gas stations to access basic necessities to feed themselves and their families," Tyler explained. "We also grow food to make a little bit of money."

About one-third of households in Detroit report experiencing food insecurity, with 80% of its residents relying on "fringe food" sources like fast food chains, liquor stores and corner stores where items like fresh produce are not available.

Detroit's urban farming scene has experienced significant growth, with more than 2,000 gardens and farms operating throughout the city. Tyler explained starting the farms is not just about offering healthy food, it is also about giving people a sense of ownership and empowerment, which she noted requires a thoughtful approach.

"You adapt that by starting where people are," Tyler emphasized. "Asking questions about their values and their experiences and then building from there, and not assuming that what works in one area will work in another area because this work is very place-based."

Michigan is not the only state where this mission has caught on. As of this year, there are close to 30,000 community garden plots in city parks across the United States, marking a 22% increase from 2021.

This story is based on original reporting by Dalya Massachi for Everyday Climate Champions.


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