HFDK Surpasses $100 Million in Grants Supporting Denver’s Youth

Published on November 24, 2025

DDPHE announces applications for 2026 funding to continue expanding access to healthy food and nutrition education  

The Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) initiative has reached a major milestone, surpassing $100 million in grants dedicated to reducing childhood food insecurity since its launch in 2020. Administered by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), the voter-approved initiative continues to expand access to nutritious food and food-based education for Denver’s youth through a new request for applications launched on November 21, 2025. 

“Food insecurity is more urgent now than ever” said DDPHE’s Executive Director, Karin McGowan. “Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids is providing critical food support at a time when every meal counts.” 

2025 marks the halfway point for HFDK, which was created through a 2018 Denver ballot measure and generates approximately $11 million annually through a 0.08% sales and use tax. To date, HFDK has supported more than 100 local organizations through competitive grants, prioritizing programs that serve low-income youth. Seventeen new grantees have been awarded funding for 2025, and DDPHE has opened the next funding opportunity for 2026 applicants.  

Funding Available in 2026 

Up to nine million dollars is available for programs, projects, and activities that improve child nutrition security through healthy food access, food education, and support for federal nutrition assistance programs. Open to community-based nonprofits, public schools, and City and County of Denver agencies through Jan. 5, this is the seventh annual funding opportunity for the HFDK program. HFDK anticipates funding up to 12 proposals in 2026, which are approved annually by the HDFK Commission.  

Projects funded in 2026 will focus on increasing access to nutritious and culturally responsive food, increasing participation in and support for Federal Nutrition Assistance programs such as SNAP, and increasing access to food education and food skills. Program focus must be for youth 18 years and younger and their families. 

Organizations may apply for HFDK funding by completing an eligibility form and a letter of interest (LOI) by Jan. 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm MT.  

2025 Awards 

The current funding opportunity comes as last year’s grantees (cohort 6) are announced. In 2025, HFDK distributed the sixth round of annual funding to projects centered around the provision of healthy food to youth of all ages (0-18) through food pantries, meal and snack programs, grocery boxes and connecting families with federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC.  

Awarded organizations include: 

  • Archway Housing & Services 
  • Center for Work Education and Employment 
  • Clayton Early Learning 
  • Colorado Food Cluster 
  • Denver Botanic Gardens 
  • Denver Health and Hospital Authority WIC Program 
  • Denver Public Schools, Food and Nutrition Services 
  • East Colfax Community Collective 
  • Front Line Farming 
  • Southwest Food Coalition 
  • Hunger Free Colorado 
  • Kaizen Food Rescue 
  • Downtown Denver Islamic Center 
  • The Consumption Literacy Project 
  • The LoVVe Project 
  • The Village at Contemporary Learning Academy within DPS 
  • WeeCycle 

Cohort 6 organizations are also educating and empowering youth and their families through food justice and leadership curriculum, cooking classes, and teaching in gardens and urban farms.  

The total amount awarded to the sixth annual cohort of grantees is approximately $12.9 million.  

Learn more about the program and find future funding opportunities at Denvergov.org/HealthyFoodforDenversKids.  

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