Food insecurity and hunger is experienced regularly throughout the United States, and locally, here in  Boulder County. Food insecurity is when  individuals either do not have regular and reliable access to any food, and/or do not have regular and reliable access to healthy nourishing food. (FAO 1) As of April 2021, an estimated 33% of Coloradans lack reliable access to nutritious foods, (HFC) and we know that disparities in food access across the country impact children and people of color at significantly higher rates. (FA 2) Regardless of a person’s background, finances. It is a human right to have access to nutritious foods that support human health. 

Due to the high cost of living and farming here on the Front Range, there is often a gap between the cost of farm fresh produce, and what families and individuals can afford to buy. The Growing Gardens Food Project focuses on increasing equitable access to nutritious foods, and on raising food literate youth who value healthy eating, and who are well equipped to prepare and eat fresh vegetables.

Growing Gardens engages youth and community members in sustainable agriculture, and provides access to local fresh produce. The Food Project provides opportunities for low-income community members to access the same local food and farm experiences that are available to higher earning community members through three specific programs. Our Food Donation Program distributes fresh produce through direct-service partners throughout Boulder County, our Seed and Seedling Donation Program, provides seeds and plant starts free of charge to grow food at home, and our Work Trade Program invites community members to volunteer their time on the farm in exchange for vegetables. Additionally, Growing Gardens offers community garden plots and adult gardening and cooking classes at reduced rates for low income individuals, and scholarships for our youth education programming. We’re also excited to announce that our Farm Stand accepts SNAP purchases.

• Growing Gardens donates fresh, locally grown vegetables and fruits to direct-service providing partner organizations who are best situated within our county to distribute that food to community members who need it most. The produce that we donate is primarily grown on our Boulder and Longmont farms, however we additionally glean locally farmed veggies and fruits from the Boulder County Farmers Market, and directly from local farms. 
• Our food distribution partners during 2024 include: EFAA, OUR Center, YMCA of NOCO youth programs, Community Food Share, Project Protect our Food Systems, Brújula Comunitaria, Longmont Food Rescue, Harvest of Hope, Casa de la Esperanza, TLC Learning Center, Wild Plum Center, and ECE centers and Elementary Schools in Boulder and Longmont. Interested organizations or groups can email tim@growinggardens.org to learn more.
• We are also excited to share that our Farm stands in Boulder and Longmont accept SNAP!

How to access seeds and seedlings

Qualifications for participation

• • Individuals and organizations that meet the Boulder County AMI of 85% low-income minimum are invited to sign up.
  • Reduced rate community gardeners qualify for donations & need to fill out the individual registration form shared below in order to participate.
  • See the 2024 Boulder County AMI chart for income qualifications.

Seed and Seedling Donation Days:

• • Spring Seed and Seedling Donations: We will offer ‘cold tolerant’ seeds and seedlings that can be planted and grown before the last frosts and freezes of the winter. Examples include: Lettuces, spinach, cilantro, kale, chard, broccoli, cabbage, peas, carrots, turnips, and radishes.
    • Longmont
      • Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 – 10am – 5:30pm: Individuals & families
    • Boulder
      • Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 – 10am – 5:30pm: Individuals & families
        
  • Summer Seed and Seedling Donations: We will offer the full range of garden vegetables that will be able to be grown during the summer months. Examples include: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, squashes, kale, chard, lettuce, cilantro, broccoli, carrots, beets, radishes.
    • Longmont
      • Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, from 10am – 5:30pm: Individuals, families, and organizations
    • Boulder
      • Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, from 10am – 5:30pm: Individuals & families 
      • Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, from 9am -12pm: Organizations

Location Addresses:

Boulder
1630 Hawthorn Avenue, Boulder, CO 80304

Longmont
Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA
950 Lashley Street, Longmont, CO

Learn More and Apply 

• Work shifts run the first week of June through the last week of October. Applicants will be invited to join early season work days in April and May, but the ability for Growing Gardens to offer vegetables in exchange for early season work is limited due to the seasonal nature of local food production.
• Boulder Shift options: Wednesday mornings from 9 am – 11 am, or Thursday evenings from 4 pm – 6 pm.
• Longmont Shift Options: Wednesday mornings from 9 am – 11 am, or Wednesday evenings from 4 pm – 6 pm.
• Activities include weeding, planting, harvesting, and other general farm labor. Experience farming or gardening is not required, but you must be willing and able to do active outdoor work.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, space is open until filled. Priority is given to low-income community members.