According the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), "Nutrition Security means all Americans have consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being." According to the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps data for Archuleta County, 11% of the population (nearly 1,500 individuals) in 2020 lack adequate access to food in Archuleta County, as compared to 8% in Colorado. Toward addressing food and nutrition insecurity, Healthy Archuleta continues to center equity in its healthy eating efforts by supporting individuals and families to access health promoting foods, nutrition education, food purchasing/preparation skills, and nutrition counseling. Eating nutritious foods takes more than the individual, it takes a community. Healthy Archuleta uses a community-based food system approach to addressing nutrition security.
Food Access & Security
Food pantry clients, those experiencing barriers to healthy food options spoke and we listened. Healthy Archuleta continues to work to increase access to both local and non-local foods for the benefit of our neighbors who visit the food pantries in our community. There are currently seven food pantries working within an informal structure of a food pantry network that meets monthly alongside the Food Distribution Center (FDC) Coordinator to share resources and learning related to food access and security. The food pantries receive food through partnership with the regional food bank, local grocery stores (rescue foods), individual donations, and Healthy Archuleta through the FDC (climate-controlled facility secured for the purpose of receiving, storing and distributing food procured by the FSFE - Food Coalition for the food pantries). For more information about the days and times of operation of food pantries and partner food organizations in Archuleta County, please click HERE.
Food pantry clients, those experiencing barriers to healthy food options spoke and we listened. Healthy Archuleta continues to work to increase access to both local and non-local foods for the benefit of our neighbors who visit the food pantries in our community. There are currently seven food pantries working within an informal structure of a food pantry network that meets monthly alongside the Food Distribution Center (FDC) Coordinator to share resources and learning related to food access and security. The food pantries receive food through partnership with the regional food bank, local grocery stores (rescue foods), individual donations, and Healthy Archuleta through the FDC (climate-controlled facility secured for the purpose of receiving, storing and distributing food procured by the FSFE - Food Coalition for the food pantries). For more information about the days and times of operation of food pantries and partner food organizations in Archuleta County, please click HERE.
Nutrition Education and Counseling
Healthy Archuleta is committed to supporting community through nutrition education activities that are relevant and responsive to the needs of the community. Healthy Archuleta partners with nutritionist/dietitians to offer nutrition education programming at different locations in the community. Research supports "the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and counseling provided by a nutrition professional (registered dietitian nutritionist or equivalent) when part of a health care team." In an effort to support community members with nutrition counseling, a Food/Nutrition Resource Navigator through one of the local clinics facilitated access to a network of dietitians in Colorado that are committed to health equity and increasing access to nutrition counseling services in rural areas such as Archuleta County. This effort proved helpful and will be further explored in the near future. Meanwhile, please refer to this list of dietitians that provide Telehealth counseling services prepared for Healthy Archuleta by a Colorado-based dietitian. Healthy Archuleta is also exploring a partnership with the Food Pantry Network and local clinics to help connect clients/patients experiencing food and nutrition insecurities with free and locally grown fruits and vegetables in cohort with nutrition counseling services to reduce nutrition-related health disparities.
Healthy Archuleta is committed to supporting community through nutrition education activities that are relevant and responsive to the needs of the community. Healthy Archuleta partners with nutritionist/dietitians to offer nutrition education programming at different locations in the community. Research supports "the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and counseling provided by a nutrition professional (registered dietitian nutritionist or equivalent) when part of a health care team." In an effort to support community members with nutrition counseling, a Food/Nutrition Resource Navigator through one of the local clinics facilitated access to a network of dietitians in Colorado that are committed to health equity and increasing access to nutrition counseling services in rural areas such as Archuleta County. This effort proved helpful and will be further explored in the near future. Meanwhile, please refer to this list of dietitians that provide Telehealth counseling services prepared for Healthy Archuleta by a Colorado-based dietitian. Healthy Archuleta is also exploring a partnership with the Food Pantry Network and local clinics to help connect clients/patients experiencing food and nutrition insecurities with free and locally grown fruits and vegetables in cohort with nutrition counseling services to reduce nutrition-related health disparities.
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Food Production and Supply
Healthy Archuleta collaborates with growers and producers to increase food production and supply through different strategies and lines of action with the aim of supporting the community with access to foods that are locally/regionally and sustainably grown in backyards, community gardens (such as Vista Lake Community Garden) and commercial and institutional settings. Backyard growers are encouraged and supported to plant an extra row of produce to share with our neighbors who visit the food pantries. Click HERE for more information. Additionally, Healthy Archuleta works on supporting community to advance ideas and actions related to increasing capacity to grow more food locally. One such example was the residents that led the design and development of a community garden at the Vista Lake Park. Growing and producing food is at the heart of our food system - To that end, community members are supported to build and sustain capacity as it relates to growing and/or producing food in Archuleta County. For information and resources related to growing food, please click HERE. |
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Food System Learning
Healthy Archuleta uses a food systems approach to advancing food equity. Toward that end, a community-based food system model was developed which informs the focus of the different lines of action and learning. Recognizing the importance of engaging community in learning about the food system, Healthy Archuleta is distributing an artistic rendition of the model in both Spanish and English through different settings and programming. Please connect with us if you would like to receive a copy of this poster for your facility. Additionally, Healthy Archuleta has partnered with local schools to bring this knowledge to high school students and to actively invite them to get involved in their community food system. Healthy Archuleta is also actively working with partners and community growers and producers to advance the other elements of the food system such as food waste prevention, food safety, resource recovery, and food entrepreneurship. For more information on the different elements of the food system and what Healthy Archuleta is doing to advance work on these elements, please click HERE. |
Assessment, Planning and Evaluation
Healthy Archuleta values the importance of assessment, planning and evaluation. In an effort to advance nutrition security, Healthy Archuleta worked closely with food pantries and community members to capture information related to access to food and local food production. Findings from this assessment has informed lines of action that are further explored and are being incorporated into the implementation plan. Additionally, Healthy Archuleta is intentional in "being" a learning organization and toward that end includes evaluation and reflection in all aspects of its work with both partners and community members.
Healthy Archuleta values the importance of assessment, planning and evaluation. In an effort to advance nutrition security, Healthy Archuleta worked closely with food pantries and community members to capture information related to access to food and local food production. Findings from this assessment has informed lines of action that are further explored and are being incorporated into the implementation plan. Additionally, Healthy Archuleta is intentional in "being" a learning organization and toward that end includes evaluation and reflection in all aspects of its work with both partners and community members.
