Residents of Colorado and Washington experienced the largest percentage increase in the cost of living over the past decade.

The EPA designates several portions of the Greeley/Evans area in Colorado and Spokane, Washington, as food deserts, meaning most residents lack access to nutritious food within a mile of their homes. The USDA likewise considers homes "food insecure" if they have "limited or uncertain access to adequate food." However, it's not just about the amount of food someone can find; the USDA links food security to nutrition security, in which a person has consistent access to affordable foods that "promote well-being, prevent disease, and, if needed, treat disease." In other words, eating enough calories does not equal a healthy diet. In 2020, 27% of Washington families faced food insecurity, according to a Washington State Food Security Survey, including over one-third of Spokane County families. A similar study done in 2021, in Greeley found that A staggering 21% percent of the residents live in poverty and experience food insecurity ranking it the highest in Colorado State.

CGLW’s mission is to grow food and grow our communities. We help individuals and families from all walks of life, gain skills and improve their well-being through the power of innovative and sustainable urban farming practices.

Food justice is more than just providing and distributing food, Our model seeks to positively impact the entire community through mentorship, education, and partnerships to create sustainable change.

To achieve these goals we have designed several programs involving community gardens, urban micro farms, and rebuilding our native ecosystems.

We believe that together, we can grow a sustainable future where people across our country are connected to the earth, to each other, and to the food they eat.

Working in hand with community, CGLW is planting seeds for a thriving environment as we:

• Create healthy, hyperlocal food systems through our network of community gardens, food forests, and sustainable urban micro-farms, providing people with access, skills, and resources to grow their own organic food for themselves and their neighbors.

• Steward a climate-resilient city by regenerating depleted urban soils, supporting pollinators, sequestering carbon, and educating community members of all ages on organic gardening, composting, pest and disease management, and more.

• Build bridges between neighbors through shared spaces, fostering a sense of community and collective stewardship.