Kilt Farm helps fight food insecurity in Boulder County

As the economic impacts of the coronavirus shutdowns continue to accumulate, more and more families are seeking supplemental food assistance from state and county agencies. To help fill the growing demand in Boulder County, Kilt Farm of Niwot will be distributing fresh, organic produce to more than 40 local families on a weekly basis starting in June.

"My mission as a farmer is to improve my community through the food I grow and the neediest amongst us deserve to have access to the best food," Kilt's owner Michael Moss said. "Especially right now when there is so much economic uncertainty for low income households."

Thanks to a grant from LiveWell Colorado, Kilt will be providing free shares in its 2020 CSA program to 38 local families enrolled in the Boulder County Women Infants and Children (WIC) program. WIC is a nutrition assistance program for families that earn under 185% of the federal poverty level and may receive as little as $9 per month in benefits to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.

LiveWell Colorado is a charitable organization that promotes "healthy eating and active living" in low-income communities. In 2019, the group piloted the Colorado Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) to "increase access to and consumption of Colorado-grown produce" through donated CSA shares in nine counties. When Moss heard the program would be back for a second year, he didn't hesitate to add Kilt Farm to the list of willing suppliers for 2020.

"I reached out to Jill Strange at Boulder County Health and let her know I was interested in participating with her," he said of Kilt's involvement in the program. The farm will also be donating another four shares to families in need, bringing the total to 42. "I have always had a few shares of our CSA dedicated to volunteers and members of the community who may not be able to afford a normal CSA share. With funding from LiveWell Colorado, we at Kilt Farm and Boulder County Health can really have an impact with this food."

While most local businesses are feeling the strain of the shutdowns, Moss said that Kilt Farm is "well positioned" to continue operating as normal in the coming months. He has seen a surge in demand for his annual CSA shares, and hasn't yet been impacted by widespread restaurant closures, though he expects that is coming this summer. He is also seeing more orders from small, independent grocers, such as Niwot Market, who have been struggling with their large distributors.

"I am a huge fan of working with our local grocery stores, from Niwot Market, to Lucky's Markets, Alfalfa's and others," Moss said. "The local stores are very excited to work with the local farmers and are planning on redirecting as much of their purchases towards local farmers as they can. I have a long relationship with these stores and with our branded products we do quite well. Folks know to look for our food when they want quality."

Moss said that these local relationships will prove even more valuable if there are cracks in the food chain during a prolonged shutdown.

"I am unsure of how the national food supply chain is going to hold up. I have already seen that it is pretty inflexible and it does not take many hiccups to impact what we can purchase in our local stores. I am thrilled to see that other people in our communities are coming to the same realization and taking action, because local matters."

Kilt Farm has over 35 acres of certified organic land in Gunbarrel and Niwot. The farm produces over 100 varieties of vegetables each summer and partners with other local producers to provide eggs, mushrooms, fruit, coffee, pasta and more-making the CSA pick-up a one-stop shop for most families. Their online CSA platform, Harvie, allows members to swap vegetables, place vacation holds and more for a more flexible, approachable, CSA experience. For more information, visit KiltFarm.com or contact Michael directly at [email protected]