Food Security · Parks That Feed Us
$25 millionis roughly how much we spend, each year in Denver, to maintain our 3,000 acres of manicured grass.
I will
Advocate for food forests and urban gardens in our parks.
Across the world, gardens in parks have proven to connect neighbors better and to provide food for those in need.
Read the policy →
Action 01 · Parks That Feed Us
Advocate for food forests and urban gardens in our parks.
The problem
Giant swaths of Denver parks are massively under-utilized and over-budgeted. This is because of grass. Grass is Denver's single most expensive asset. Without spending a dime, we can re-route that money towards growing healthy food for Denverites.
What Council can do
Work with Denver Parks and the city budget to shift priorities from grass maintenance to urban garden and food forest creation.
First budgetFood Security · No Cost Groceries
1 in 6people you meet in Denver have skipped a meal recently because they didn't have enough money for food.
I will
Create a budget line item for no-cost groceries for all who need it.
Eating healthy shouldn't be a practice reserved for the rich.
Read the policy →
Action 02 · No Cost Groceries
Create a budget line item for no-cost groceries for all who need it.
The problem
2 out of 3 Denverites say that healthy food at grocery stores is too expensive. Eating healthy shouldn't be a practice reserved for the wealthy. It should be available to all. The food many of us eat is killing us, and SNAP/WIC doesn't cover half the people who need it. The system doesn't work.
What Council can do
Denver is already piloting a universal basic food program, this year, and Denver Food Rescue provides 20 no-cost grocery programs across the city. On city council, I can advocate for a dedicated budget line item, like Seattle has done, to expand basic food access for all.
First budgetFood Security · City-Owned Grocery Stores
18-25%is what New York shoppers are projected to save each grocery trip at Mamdani's upcoming publicly-owned grocery stores.
I will
Present a resolution to establish intent for the funding of Denver's first city-owned grocery store.
People are leaving Denver, faster than they have in years. Affordability is why. Food costs are a key part of that.
Read the policy →
Action 03 · City-Owned Grocery Stores
Present a resolution to establish intent for the funding of Denver's first city-owned grocery store.
The problem
“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” – James Baldwin
Those on City Council may not know what it's like to actually go hungry. I have eaten ice to feel full when I couldn't afford food, multiple times. 1 in 6 Denverites have also skipped meals. Food costs account for half of many Denverites' wages.
What Council can do
Vote on a resolution to establish intent to fund a city-owned grocery store. This is the first real step towards appropriating capital in the city budget in our strong mayoral system.
Day one