In 2019, the national food insecurity rate was the lowest it had been in 20 years, according to Feeding America. When COVID-19 hit the U.S., the economic recession that followed put an abrupt end to years of those declining numbers. Now, many of the people who were food insecure before COVID-19 are facing even greater hardships, and even more people are hungry. Even after COVID-19 is well behind us, economists predict that it will take quite some time – and resources – for food insecurity levels to recover.
Colorado realtors Catherine and Andy Burgess of Burgess Group | Compass had been concerned about the growing problem of food insecurity in their own backyard and were looking for ways to help. Their thoughts quickly turned to McKenzie Farm, a historic farm with big water rights on the edge of Boulder, CO.
Long champions of local and national charities, Catherine and Andy saw an opportunity for the historic 80-acre McKenzie Farm that they represent to grow local produce while on the market. The McKenzies readily agreed to charitable use of their land in both 2020 and 2021.
In March 2021, Burgess Group | Compass and non-profit Community Food Share launched “The Food Security Project,” which will run from March until October 2021.
Burgess Group | Compass is providing a substantial donation to Community Food Share, to support hiring a farmer to work McKenzie Farm. Community Food Share is also contributing financially to this project, managing the farmer and distributing produce. Boulder-based micro-farm project and public benefit corporation Boundless Landscapes is also sharing their valuable tools and non-profit Earth’s Table is mentoring Farmer Katie.
The Food Security Project plans to grow thousands of pounds of nutritious local produce this year. This food will be distributed through Community Food Share, whose volunteers will also maintain and harvest the fields alongside Farmer Katie.