Hunger

On a normal day, over 40 million Americans struggle to provide enough food for their families. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified this need, with food banks across the country experiencing two to three times the number of people needing assistance. There’s no question that this pandemic has created hardships for our communities, but it’s also reminded us that we’re all in this together.

Sustainability, at its simplest, is all about using resources wisely so our communities and planet can thrive for generations to come. Much of the discussion around sustainability has centered on topics such as carbon footprints, greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of food production. But what if sustainability means so much more?

“One in six people in North Texas battle food insecurity daily,” says Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank (NFTB). After learning of this alarming statistic and the 800,000 lives affected by food insecurity, four high school culinary programs were motivated to make a difference. Students from Arlington ISD’s Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center, The Colony High School, Dr. John D.

Most of us like the idea of giving back to our community, but the reality is there are few people who fully commit to devoting their time and resources. Tara Vander Dussen, fifth-generation dairy farmer from Clovis, New Mexico, has found a way to balance her busy life on and off the farm to support an organization that helps those in need.

Leftover Milk from Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture Goes to the Needy

After five years without a “ticket” to the Class 4A state swim meet, mom-daughter coaching team Adria Colver and Aly Brinkema couldn’t be more proud.

The Holyoke girls swim team captured their first large trophy – third place in the Metro 8 – and watched junior, Dani Brandt, qualify for state, all while juggling their academic studies so well that they came within inches of winning this year’s 4A Academic Team Championship Award (an award the school last won in 2001).

Usually, September is a month we anticipate with optimism. The summer heat transforms into cooler days and families feel rejuvenated for the new school year routine, drawing closer together to enjoy what fall has to offer such as watching football, harvest celebrations and delicious seasonal food to share. 

What do food banks and dairy farms have in common? They both care deeply about community and improving access to nutrient-rich food amongst our country’s most vulnerable populations…and they both value that among the best practices to help them do the greatest good are efficiency and productivity.

Fourth generation dairy farmer Shelly Dickinson is no novice when it comes to community interaction. After all, her family has lived and worked in Larimer County for four generations and good relationships with the community are paramount to her farm’s continued success. This January, Dickinson decided it was time to make a difference in a new way – so she worked with us to donate over 800 gallons of milk to the Food Bank for Larimer County.