FS|FE-NEWS
November 10, 2020
In this issue you will get an update on the Participatory Budgeting process, read a message from one of the food pantries, and more.
Our website is now available in Spanish!
Be sure to watch the video on the home page!
Community Connections
During our upcoming Wednesday Community Conversation, Dr. Marvasti (Associate Professor of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix), will talk about the role of food as medicine in preventing and treating the diseases of our time. Dr. Marvasti oversees the culinary medicine and nutrition curriculum at the medical school and is piloting a diabetes group visit model for cooking classes in an underserved health center with health professional students. Given the role food plays in contributing to the chronic disease burden which increases our susceptibility to infections like Covid-19 and poor health outcomes in general, it is time to form diverse coalitions between medical and public officials as well as communities to advocate for changes in the unhealthy food policies that make us sick.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Call in Number: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 844 3128 3863
Participatory Budgeting
The Participatory Budgeting (PB) proposal presentations are available online! Proposals span from those focused on providing snacks to schools to creating an online farmers market to making sure families in crisis can obtain gift cards to purchase urgently needed food. 

Voting starts November 14th and ends on November 22nd.
Register now and have a voice in how your community spends $20,000.00. 
Do you live, work, or have kids who go to school in Archuleta County? Are you a high school student and/or over the age of 14? If so, click here to register to vote for PB proposals!
Spotlight on the Food System
This community food system model serves as the framework for the Coalition’s learning and action.
The Coalition is working with all aspects of the community food system model:
  1. growing/producing food;
  2. transforming foods for storage and market;
  3. marketing and distributing food;
  4. getting and preparing food;
  5. eating nutritious foods; and
  6. food waste prevention and resource recovery.
The Coalition focuses its learning and action on the whole system as well as the individual components. 
Food Pantry Network
There are six food pantries working together to serve our community. To learn more about them visit our website. The biggest accomplishment for the food pantries is coming together as ONE, and working alongside others involved in the Food Coalition to end hunger in Archuleta County.
A note from one of the food pantries:
Amazing Grace Community Church Food Pantry has been truly blessed this year. Our location in Aspen Springs is challenging to some but a much quieter and freer place to be able to live. Since the location can be harder to reach, our clients very much appreciate that quality food has found its way to them. From the organic and health conscious Natural Grocers, to the food from the Grow Domes and Pagosa Bakery I receive sometimes tearful thanks that we can provide gluten free foods and wonderful produce to people in need. The treats and wholesome breads from Pagosa Bakery brighten the day to someone who was just recently laid off of work.

I have had a few clients that are immunocompromised that appreciate the healthy choices we are now able to provide them so they do not have to go out. The sourdough baked by Seriously Sourdough is such a healthy and community conscious way to enrich people's diet. My clients line up especially for the bread!

I am glad we can provide healthy choices for those that need it, whatever their situation.

Thanks to all who have contributed to our Coalition.

Blessings
Dawn Farrar Director Food Pantry Services
Amazing Grace Community Churh
Mark Disbrow - Pastor
Learning from Research and Practice
In an article entitled,"Youth and Food Systems Transformation" published on July 2020 the author suggests that youth introduced and included into policy and decision making processes within the food system when younger are more likely to maintain their participation as adults. To learn more about these findings check out the article.
Highlighting Our Community
Three weeks ago the youth team of the Coalition packaged close to 300 bags of apples to share with families at the parent teacher conferences at our local elementary school! The apples came from an orchard in Yellow Jacket that is maintained by CSU. Since Janae Ash helped facilitate this opportunity, we asked her to share her experience with this partnership and the Coalition. Janae told us that she was introduced to the Coalition last March, and she was impressed by the people, intentions, and love for the community that she saw while working alongside them. Janae and her fellow teachers at the elementary school were so impressed with the impact the apples had on families that they wished it was something they could do every year! She was also excited about the collaboration of youth that allowed her to inspire her students with role models and be excited about the action that the local youth are taking in terms of food sustainability. Janae is excited about the work that the Coalition is doing. She encourages anyone that wants to be involved in food sustainability to reach out to the Food Coalition and work alongside others in our community!