Starting in 2017 with four schools and 100 children and families served, Jeffco Eats has grown now to over 50 food distribution sites which includes:
- Schools
- Section 8 Metro West Housing Communities
- Libraries
- Rec Centers
- Churches
- Pediatric Clinics
- Jefferson Center for Mental Health, The Action Center and other nonprofits!
What is Food Insecurity?
Jefferson County is the second largest school district in Colorado with an enrollment count for the 2022-23 school year at 77,092 children. Out of that number, 27,367 students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Jefferson County has 34 Title 1 schools. Jeffco Eats provides food to 76% of those schools.
There are levels of food insecurity from dire to moderate, but all affect children’s physical health, mental health, and ability to learn and prosper, making it absolutely critical to offer consistent access to nutrient-dense food.
Our Commitment
Our school food delivery and weekend food distribution partners are eliminating hunger by providing nutritious, shelf-stable, and culturally-appropriate food to families and children in our communities. Our food also meets needs for weeknight dinners. In collaboration with local organizations, we are dedicated to building a stronger, healthier, and hunger-free Jefferson County. Our commitment to our mission is unwavering, and together, we will ensure that every child and family can access the food they need to live happy, healthy, and thriving lives.
Our Focus
Our focus is on serving families in the free and reduced lunch income categories, specifically targeting Title One schools where over 70 percent of students qualify for these programs. We also support GAP schools, which are non-Title One, but have over 50 percent of low-income families. These schools do not receive Title One benefits, yet their students face significant food insecurity on weekends.
Our Offerings
Our programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of our communities. Our offerings include:
- Totes for Hope: Nine to 14 food items are provided in each tote on a weekly basis during the school year to provide families with food on the weekends when school meals are not available.
- Fresh Produce: When available to be added into totes, where sites have refrigeration.
- Snacks: We supply snack options to schools when funding allows so that children have something for a hunger event during or after school.
- Food Pantries: Located at 18 schools and other sites, these pantries are stocked with hand-sorted food boxes. Volunteers also fulfill special pantry requests when possible.
- Summer Weekend Food Totes: Weekends have the most food needs, as well as the summer months due to school lunches and breakfasts not being available to children. We offer grocery bags filled with shelf-stable food, snacks and produce to families to help during the summer break.
Areas We Serve
We serve communities in Lakewood, Edgewater, Wheat Ridge, and Arvada. Our mobile groceries programs are available to children and families in these communities for food assistance, many of whom are in low-income schools and experiencing homelessness.
Watch our Colorado & Company interview to learn more about us!
