PRIORITIZING
NUTRITION
NEEDS
The vision of the Arapahoe Food Security Coalition is that
Arapahoe County community members have their food and nutrition needs met through a connected, accessible, and equitable food system.
Why This Work Belongs In The
Emergency Food System
Emergency food providers are a critical part of how Arapahoe County residents access food, especially those facing financial strain. When these systems are well-supported and connected, they...
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Offer consistently available, high-quality, and culturally relevant foods
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Prioritize fresh, nutritious options that help prevent chronic disease
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Reduce the long-term health burdens associated with poor nutrition
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Strengthen community resilience during times of crisis or instability
Ensuring emergency food providers have the resources to supply healthier foods is central to achieving our vision of a healthier, more equitable food system for all residents.
Help Us Advance Nutrition Access
In Our Community
Your voice and actions make a meaningful difference. Join us in strengthening food security and nutrition access across Arapahoe County:
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Join our Community Engagement Committee to support education and outreach
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Volunteer at community events to share information on food security resources, sweetened beverage consumption, and chronic disease prevention
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Sign up to give public comment at City Council meetings in the Tri-Cities to help local policymakers understand our community needs.
To get involved, please email Leslie Levine.
Why Access To Healthy Food Matters
Food security is about more than having enough food; it’s about having nutritious, high-quality food that supports health and well-being. Yet many families in Arapahoe County struggle to keep healthy food in the home as prices continue to rise. In the Coalition’s 2024 community survey, one resident shared:
“It is cheaper to purchase high‑calorie, high‑sugar foods…than to consistently purchase healthy alternatives for my family.”
This local reality reflects a national trend. Feeding America’s 2025 Elevating Voices: Insights Report found that high food prices are pushing families toward less nutritious choices.
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68% of surveyed neighbors want to eat healthier but cannot afford to right now.
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In the past year, 66% skipped meals or ate less due to high food prices.
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80% purchased cheaper, less nutritious foods because healthier options were too expensive.
When nutritious foods are out of reach, families lose access to the very resources that support long‑term health and stability.
The Health Impact of Food Insecurity
Access to nutritious food is foundational to a thriving community. Adequate nutrition...
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Helps bodies function properly
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Supports child development and learning
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Improves maternal health
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Lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers
Food insecurity, by contrast, increases the likelihood of preventable health problems across all ages.
Children & Families
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Food insecurity increases the risk of childhood obesity, partly due to overeating when food becomes available.
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Stable access to healthy food helps children have the energy and focus they need to learn and succeed in school.
Pregnant Individuals
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Food insecurity is associated with low birth weight, gestational diabetes, and other poor pregnancy outcomes.
Older Adults
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Food-insecure older adults are significantly more likely to report serious health conditions:
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53% more likely to report a heart attack
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52% more likely to develop asthma
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40% more likely to experience congestive heart failure
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60% more likely to experience depression
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These challenges reduce independence and quality of life.
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Citations
Ricci, C.L. (2024, May 7). Lived Experience Survey Results. Arapahoe Food Security Coalition. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ei7L-XZLdvb4ac9W2PaCNUSjcrevasyW/view?usp=sharing
Feeding America. (September 2025). Elevating Voices: Insights Report. https://www.feedingamerica.org/research/community-solutions-hunger
Nutrition in Daily Life. (2024, February 16). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/features/index.html
Ziliak, J., Gundersen, C. (August 2021). The Health Consequences of Senior Hunger in the United States: Evidence from the 1999-2016 NHANES. Report for Feeding America. Available from https://www.feedingamerica.org/research/senior-hunger-research
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