GrowHaus Fights Food Insecurity with Home Gardens

In Denver's Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods, where access to fresh food is a persistent challenge, The GrowHaus is making a significant impact. Known for serving thousands each week through their fresh food distribution program, the nonprofit has recently expanded its efforts by setting up vegetable gardens at local homes. This initiative not only provides immediate access to fresh produce but also empowers families to grow their own food.

Food insecurity is on the rise in Colorado, with 2023 data from the Colorado Health Institute revealing that over 11% of residents ate less due to financial constraints. This problem is particularly acute in Globeville and Elyria-Swansea, neighborhoods that have lacked a grocery store for years. Giselle Díaz Campagna, executive director of The GrowHaus, highlights the compounded difficulties these communities face, including high prices and limited transportation options, making fresh food even harder to obtain.

Each week, The GrowHaus distributes fresh produce to more than 5,000 people through their food box program. This week, however, volunteers took their mission further by building vegetable gardens for families in these underserved neighborhoods. Florentina Vasquez, a local resident, expressed her gratitude as her family received a garden filled with tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, and pumpkins. With three children to feed, Vasquez notes the significant impact this garden will have on their ability to access fresh, nutritious food.

Campagna emphasizes that the initiative is about more than just food access; it’s about fostering a connection with food and providing autonomy to families. The GrowHaus relies on the support of community partners, donors, and volunteers to sustain their programs. Last summer, they built 15 planter boxes in the neighborhoods and have continued to expand this year.

Volunteer Seshu Vaddey underscores the importance of community involvement, whether through donations or volunteer work, to support organizations like The GrowHaus that are making a tangible difference. Through their innovative approach, The GrowHaus is not only addressing immediate food needs but also planting the seeds for long-term food security and self-sufficiency in Denver’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.