Fruit and Vegetable Production and Donation

Seasonal fresh vegetables are among the hardest foods to acquire by hunger relief agencies. Since 2017, we have grown and directed over 1/2 million pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to food banks and pantries across 14 counties in Western Colorado.  We harvest and donate the fruit growing in the orchards at the Western Colorado Research Center. We also maintain three acres of fields for vegetable production, allowing us a setting for work-based training and farm-to-school programming.

Our paid vegetable production interns help manage three acres of vegetable, managing every aspect of production from planting to delivery. Our interns gain unique experiences in teaching visiting students and leading volunteers, all while learning the basics of small-scale production. Intern positions include an emphasis on engaged scholarship and practical training to ensure a variety of learning outcomes. If you would like to join us, please contact us regarding job openings or check out potential work-based training internships with our partners at the Mesa County Workforce Center.

Our food is donated directly to food pantries and emergency meal programs in Mesa County, Colorado. Since we grow and harvest thousands of pounds a year, we partner with Food Bank of the Rockies to pick up large harvests and distribute them to the western service area, which includes 13 counties in Western Colorado.