Food insecurity, the condition of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, remains a significant concern across the United States, affecting millions of individuals and families. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), around 10% of US households experienced food insecurity at some point between 2019 and 2021. The pandemic exacerbated these numbers, disproportionately impacting low-income households and communities of color. Using Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study, we analyzed food-insecurity data to get a deeper look into food insecurity at the local level.

Colorado: An overview

In Colorado, the food-insecurity rate saw a change between 2019 and 2021. In 2019, the rate stood at 9.8%, affecting an estimated 566,440 people. It then changed to 8.3% in 2020, impacting approximately 474,420 persons before landing at 9.2% in 2021, when it then affected around 533,650 individuals.

When focusing on ethnic disparities in Colorado, the food-insecurity rates in 2021 were as follows:

• Black persons: 14%
• Hispanic persons: 16%
• White, non-Hispanic persons: 6%

Jefferson County: a closer look

In Jefferson County in 2019, the food-insecurity rate was 8.4%, or 48,030 food-insecure individuals. This figure rose to 8.5% in 2020, affecting approximately 49,260 persons, and then landed at 8.2% in 2021, impacting around 47,380 individuals.

Food-insecurity rates for Jefferson County in 2021 among Black, Hispanic, and White, non-Hispanic persons were:

• Black persons: 11%
• Hispanic persons: 16%
• White, non-Hispanic persons: 5%

The silver lining

Over the past decade, food insecurity has been on a steady downward trend—a good thing in this case—measuring from 15.5% in Colorado in 2011, down to 9.2% in 2021. For Jefferson County, 2011 showed a food-insecurity rate of 12.6%, which has fallen to 8.2% in 2021.

What you can do

To continue the positive momentum in the fight against food insecurity in Colorado and Jefferson County, here are some food banks near you that accept donations and volunteers. Hours may change, so make sure your call before visiting:

1. Shepherd's Pantry

• Address: 220 S Yarrow St, Lakewood, CO 80226

2. Jeffco Action Center - Food Distribution Center

• Address: 8755 W 14th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215

3. Redistribution Center, Inc - Food Distribution Center

• Address: 12681 W 49th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

4. Community Table

• Address: 8555 W 57th Ave, Arvada, CO 80002
• Hours: Tuesday, Friday: 12-3:45PM, Wednesday: 12-5:45PM, Thursday: 10AM-3:45PM

5. Bienvenidos Food Bank

• Address: 3810 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211

Hamlet used state and county data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study and Google Maps for this article.