Denver Urban Gardens

Programs: Free seeds and transplants program each spring, dug provides free vegetable seeds and transplants to low-income families, fixed income seniors, and community groups. This program contributes significantly to the local food security of program participants, who are able to stretch their food budgets by growing their own healthy food and, in turn, utilize budget savings to address other critical needs, adding to their overall economic stability. In 2014, this program served 7,549 individuals, in addition to 144 community groups, who reported that 19,882 individuals benefited from the free vegetable seeds and plants they received through this program.

building and supporting community gardens program this work is the cornerstone of dugs mission and central to our organizations activities. Each year, we assist community members at every step in the process of creating their own community gardens, including land preservation, agency coordination, fundraising, neighborhood engagement, construction management, and garden program development. The great majority of our community gardens are in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, and many gardens specifically serve the homeless the physically, developmentally and emotionally challenged and families and children coping with severe poverty. The economic downturn has increased awareness and interest in community gardens nationwide, and we have particularly felt this in colorado. Dug gardens intentionally provide built-in community support structures for underserved populations. They are nearby, everyday places that allow families and individuals to stretch their food dollars and improve their food security. In 2014, dug community gardens served approximately 12,368 gardeners.

delaney community farm delaney is dugs urban community supported agriculture csa project. With support from a local shareholder base, the mission of the farm is to improve access to healthy food for all people, use sustainable, organic growing practices, provide meaningful educational opportunities, and by foster community resource sharing. Delaney hosts an innovative community shares program for families enrolled in the wic program women, infants, and children, refugees, and people living with hiv/aids. All farm members are encouraged to participate in workshops that provide them with hands-on learning experiences with community agriculture. In 2014, delaney community farm served a total of 191 adults and children through the wic program and 265 people through the community shares program.