New pop-up fresh produce market in Denver to open after increased funding from USDA

DENVER — Local efforts to end food insecurity in Denver’s hardest-hit neighborhoods just got a big boost from USDA Competitive Grant for Food Service Projects.

More than one in 10 people face food insecurity in the United States, according to the latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to this report13.5% of households experienced food insecurity at some point in 2023. This is up from 12.8% of families a year earlier.

Gisele Diaz Campagna, Executive Director GrowHaussaid Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods will be among the most historically food insecure areas in Denver.

“Our team is very, very busy packing our free food boxes,” Campagna said of GrowHaus.

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The USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant will pay for a community market for the 400 families currently supported by The GrowHaus. It covers two years of market and staff funding totaling $238,397. Community Food Projects competitive grants will invest more than $46 million in 20 projects addressing food insecurity and nutrition across the country.

Growhouse was the only non-profit organization in Colorado to receive a grant.

“We are extremely honored to be noticed,” Campagna said. “As you can see, we are a small team of 16 people and we are doing amazing things at this pilot level.”

GrowHaus’ mission began with boxes of fresh produce with the goal of ending food insecurity for the most vulnerable. The organization has expanded to include a variety of wellness and nutrition services, and they want to take it one step further by giving families the ability to choose what they eat. They plan to open a free pop-up market for families registered with the nonprofit.

“The new leaders of The GrowHaus’ food access team will undergo a robust three-month training program to further develop their business acumen and leadership skills so they are ready to launch the community market pilot.” A brief description of the project reads. “At the market and through the market website, community members can learn about additional community resources such as healthy school meal availability, SNAP, and sign up for community-led classes for youth, adults and families that are building healthy habits and sharing lessons about local food system and environmental sustainability.”

Three goals of this project: as stated by GrowHausare:

1. Community employees gain access to career opportunities that provide opportunities for increased wealth.
2. Community members can access affordable, fresh produce to meet their family’s nutritional preferences and needs.
3. Community members are more curious, social, and aware of their local food system and the impact of their diet on their overall health.

“It allows them to really experience food that they know and know how to cook,” Maria Elana Soterani said through a translator.
Soterani moved to Denver from Venezuela in 2017. She said she knows how challenging food insecurity can be for families. She started working and using GrowHaus services during the pandemic. She has risen through the ranks over the years and will now be part of the leadership team that will run the pop-up market.

The pilot program for the market also allows a team of community members to gain real world experience.

“We can all learn how to budget, where to buy food, how to buy it and how much it costs,” Sotherani explained.

They hope to use manufacturing and skills development to end food insecurity.

“I just want to inspire other organizations to dream big, but it starts with you being able to manage it and do what you do best,” Campagna said.

While still in the early stages of planning, the pop-up market for families GrowHaus is expected to open sometime in 2025 at the site at 5150 E. 39th Avenue in Denver.

The organization has a longer-term goal of moving its operations back to Elyria-Swansea after structural issues forced them to abandon their facility and greenhouse there when demolition was required.