“When you feel interconnected to the earth around you, it makes it much easier to feel interconnected to the people around you. What we’re doing is taking the local food movement, and opening it up to everyone.”

In our sixth and final installment of the Colorado Gives Day Nonprofit video series, we happily present The Growing Project.

Everything The Growing Project does revolves around Food Justice, which is the idea that we can build equity among all walks of life through the simple mission of “food for all.” They work to promote an environmentally and socially just local food system through direct agricultural experiences, education, economic opportunities, and advocacy.

The nonprofit operates a number of facilities in the greater Fort Collins, Colo., area, all dedicated to providing their community with healthy, affordable, and sustainable food options.

• The Burrow is a one-third acre farm devoted to food production and education. It hosts a bevy of events such as community potlucks and gardening workshops. In 2018 alone, The Burrow grew more than 7,000 lbs. of food for the community.
• In the heart of Fort Collins and in the shadow of the FoCo Café (pay-what-you-can café) is the FoCo Commons. The community garden grows food for the café, provides work opportunities with meal tokens, and is a sanctuary for all in the middle of the city.
• The Growing Project has teamed up with a handful of local organizations to create community gardens, strategically placed in low-income areas. Residents have the ability to volunteer at these gardens to provide food for their community as well as their own households.          

To get involved with community gardening, food justice, and urban agriculture, email volunteer@thegrowingproject.org for volunteer opportunities.

If you’d like to donate to The Growing Project, or find a nonprofit that is dedicated to a cause you’re passionate about, visit ColoradoGivesDay.org. Don’t forget to donate on Dec. 10, or schedule a donation today.