Tepeyac Community Health Center begins fresh food program in east Denver neighborhoods
Tepeyac is teaming up with The GrowHaus for fresh food initiative, serving over 300 families
Tepeyac Community Health Center — a nonprofit located in northeast Denver — announced a partnership with The GrowHaus nonprofit to provide fresh food boxes to more than 300 families in east Denver neighborhoods.
The fresh food box pickup program will be located at the Tepeyac Community Health Center at 48th Avenue and Vine Street, giving away 50 boxes of fresh produce every week to patients managing chronic conditions, as identified by Tepeyac’s skilled Registered Dietitian, according to a press release from the health center.
The program officially launched on Friday and is initially serving 100 families in the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea (GES) neighborhoods. The organizations plan to expand to over 300 families coming shortly, the health center said.
“We are excited to join forces with The GrowHaus to bring this vital initiative to our community,” Jim Garcia, founder and CEO at Tepeyac, said in the press release. “Access to fresh, nutritious food is essential for maintaining good health, especially for individuals managing chronic conditions. We believe that this program will have a positive impact on the well-being of our patients and the community as a whole.”
“Our mission is to cultivate community-driven food justice, and this collaboration allows us to expand our reach and impact by providing essential resources to support health and wellness,” Giselle Diaz Campagna, executive director at The GrowHaus, said of the collaboration and the nonprofit’s overall mission to provide food access and education to Denver’s insecure communities.
The GrowHaus’ mission also includes hiring members of the GES community directly to lead programming and develop professional development skills.
The partnership with The GrowHaus is just one component of Tepeyac’s commitment to providing comprehensive care and addressing the social determinants of health in the communities it serves, according to the nonprofit.
The health center is also partnering with the DaVita healthcare company to provide volunteer opportunities for employees, allowing them to help distribute food boxes.
“Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of families in our community by ensuring access to fresh, nutritious food and promoting healthier lifestyles,” Rob Bingham, development director at Tepeyac, said.