Feeding the Families
Please see wait list information
We believe that access to nutritious food is a basic human right. The Feeding the Families program assists financially challenged families with whole or half Community Supporting Agriculture shares of healthy vegetables from our local farm partners. During the 16 to 22 weeks of the growing season, families visit the farm or farm’s pick up site to pick up their share of the harvest. The families are stakeholders; they contribute a co-payment based on their income. Families are chosen on a first come, first served basis. When necessary, we establish a waiting list in case there are openings.
Program requirements and responsibilities:
- Families must have an income level at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
- Co-payment amount is based on income and the cost of the chosen share. Co-payment can be made in full or on a monthly payment plan.
- Meet with the Program Director to complete the application and to have any questions answered.
- Complete application process at the beginning and end of season. Participate in surveys throughout the season. The information is compiled to attain funding to continue these programs & make continued improvements in the programs.
- Attend a Nutrition Education opportunity during the growing season.
- Commit to picking up vegetables through the entire season. May/June through September/October. Pick up multiple times a month.
The Feeding the Families program financially provides access to local vegetables from our local farms, in the form of a CSA. A CSA, Community Supporting Agriculture, provides locally grown vegetables to their members weekly throughout the Colorado growing season.
The farm will be picked to best fit the needs and location of each family. The families pick up the vegetables according to the farm’s distribution schedule during the growing season. The families have a co-payment of their CSA share cost, based on income and household size. Families will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
What is a CSA share?
There are vegetable farmers in our area. Their local farms offer vegetable shares for the growing season typically May-October. A CSA share means you receive sustainably grown vegetables once a week. You pick up your vegetables at the farm or at a pickup site.
How do co-payments work?
We help families with a range of incomes. The Vegetable Connection pays 50%-90% of the CSA Share. We recognize the higher cost of living in Larimer Country and take family incomes from zero income to 200% above the Federal Poverty Line. We have three tiers of co-payment costs. The first tier is 10% of the co-payment cost, eliminating cost as a barrier in receiving a CSA.
Example of a co-payment
For a family of three, whose income is at or below the Federal Poverty Line ($25,820 or below for the year), they pay a 10% co-payment. If they request a large CSA Share with a cost of $550.00, the family pays 10% of $550.00. A copayment cost of $55.00. This $55.00 is a one time payment that allows them to have $550 worth of vegetables for $55.00. The copayment is paid to The Vegetable Connection. The Vegetable Connection pays the farm full price for the CSA Share.
2024 co-payment table
Please swipe left and right to view entire table on mobile devices.
| Feeding the Families income guidelines for co-payment based on 2024 Federal Poverty Level, FPL Poverty Guidelines | ||||||
| 2024 | You pay 10% of share cost, TVC pays remaining 90% | You pay 25% of share cost, TVC pays remaining 75% | You pay 50% of share cost, TVC pays remaining 50% | |||
| Persons in family/household | Annual income 100% of FPL Income at or below: | Monthly Income | Annual income 101%-150% of FPL Income at or below: | Monthly Income | Annual income 151%-200% of FPL Income at or below: | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $15,060 | $1,255 | $22,590 | $1,883 | $30,120 | $2,510 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $1,703 | $30,660 | $2,555 | $40,880 | $3,407 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $2,152 | $38,730 | $3,228 | $51,640 | $4,303 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $2,600 | $46,800 | $3,900 | $62,400 | $5,200 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $3,048 | $54,870 | $4,573 | $73,160 | $6,097 |
| 6 | $41,960 | $3,497 | $62,940 | $5,245 | $83,920 | $6,993 |
| 7 | $47,340 | $3,945 | $71,010 | $5,918 | $94,680 | $7,890 |
| 8 | $52,720 | $4,393 | $79,080 | $6,590 | $105,440 | $8,787 |