The dream of a world where nutritious food is readily available to everyone in every country is more important now than ever. Global food security has been endangered by the changing, tumultuous world we’ve been experiencing for the last few years. Access and availability of nutritious food have been put at peril due to the multitude of challenges the food supply chain now faces. This puts more people at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition, adding to the already millions of people across the globe that can’t afford a healthy diet.
These are the challenges the 2022 World Food Day seeks to address. “In the face of global crises, global solutions are needed more than ever. By aiming for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, we can transform agrifood systems and build forward better by implementing sustainable and holistic solutions that consider development in the long term, inclusive economic growth, and greater resilience.”
As the world celebrates World Food Day, join Healthy Archuleta in supporting the food security of our local community. We will be hosting a Community Food Sharing Opportunity: Food Drive from October 28-31 from 3:30-5:30pm at the Pagosa Springs City Market. A collection table will be set up in front of the store with a list of food items that our neighbors can use this Fall-Winter and volunteers ready to collect donations. These items will help stock the shelves of the Food Distribution Center, which supports the Archuleta County Food Pantry Network. Come participate in a community food sharing opportunity!
If you would like to make donations to the food drive outside of the City Market hours, there will be a collection box at the UPS Store (135 Country Center Dr. #F), which is open from 8am-6pm Monday through Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
Start the Grow, Continue the Grow, and now the Harvest Hustle
The Vista Lake Community Garden has come a long way since its planning stages in 2020. The garden has been realized and has continued to produce vegetables throughout this year’s growing season. The Vista Lake Garden Community Leadership and Learning Circle (CLLC) members have invited others to get involved. The group is pleased to share the garden’s progress. Recently, benches have been added, the greenhouse has been erected, and fruit trees have been planted for the beginnings of the mini orchard.
The Vista Lake Community Garden will be closing soon for the winter. The last community event is the Harvest Hustle, which will be held this Sunday October 23, from 1-5pm at 230 Port Avenue. The event features putting the garden beds to rest, a pot-luck, and music. Join in the fun.
Spanish Language Equity Community Learning and Leadership Circle
Healthy Archuleta has been putting tremendous effort into making our community more equitable for all who reside within. As we partnered and worked with our local healthcare systems, food pantries, and producers, we noticed a large gap in services and information that were simply unavailable in Spanish. A large portion of our population speaks Spanish; for some, it is their only language. With the help of Healthy Archuleta, a new group has formed to help expand the capacities of our community even further. Our newest community learning and leadership circle is made up of Spanish-speaking community members who all understand the importance of feeling included, accepted, and cared for, in the county one calls home. Systemic changes in healthcare usage, food accessibility, and access to information are all priorities for our group.
The Spanish Language CLLC is regularly working with healthcare representatives, food pantry coordinators, and town representatives to expand our understanding of the challenges Spanish-speaking community members may face. We began our work with local healthcare providers and what programs are available for Spanish-speaking patients. We have made food pantry information accessible in Spanish. We have also started working on document translation to make our town’s functions and events more welcoming to our community! Great strides have been made already, and with ongoing support from the community and its members, we are paving the way for a more equitable county.
Seasonal Food Demonstrations Hosted at Archuleta Food Pantries
Kale was the star of the show this year at the Healthy Archuleta Food Coalition Food Demos held at all six food pantries around the county. These included Restoration Fellowship, John Paul ll Food Pantry, Community United Methodist Church Food Pantry, and St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, all in Pagosa Springs, Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Aspen Springs, and TARA Food Pantry in Arboles, CO. Kale soup was prepared and served to clients at the food pantries by Sherry Vanatta, RD. The importance of reading food labels was one of the topics covered. One example is the sodium content in a serving. Sodium can affect blood pressure and heart disease. Macronutrients like fat, carbohydrates, and proteins were discussed as well.
Kale is considered to be a nutrient-dense food, which means it supplies a high amount of nutrients with relatively few calories. Kale has vitamins A, K, B6, and C, calcium, potassium, copper, and manganese. We thank the food pantries for the opportunity to demonstrate healthy, nutritious foods.
Please contact Health Archuleta for more information on any of these efforts fsfearchuleta@gmail.com, (401) 206-4579 or visit our website www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org.