More than half a million dollars is pouring into Southwest Colorado in an effort to improve access to affordable local food. 16 area food providers are the recipients of a small business grant from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. You’re watching the Local News Network brought to you by a Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply. I’m Connor Shreve. The grant is meant to increase access to and lower prices for healthy food in low income, low access areas of the state. Durango based nonprofit, Good Food Collective worked to connect the businesses with the money.
For the most part, these businesses are using that money to purchase equipment or cover operating expenses that will help them scale their businesses. For example, Esmeralda’s Mexican Grocery Store in Cortez is using the grant funding to purchase a walk-in cooler and refrigerated produce display shelves so that they can start stocking …