Denver’s Food System: An Introduction

Here at Tundra Restaurant Supply, our restaurant supply and equipment showroom and warehouse is nestled at the base of the foothills here in Boulder, Colorado. Not far from us is the burgeoning metropolitan area known as Denver, which you may have heard of before….

Image Source: Denvergov.org
Image Source: Denvergov.org

The City of Denver is growing at a rapid pace.  News might have gotten out that we Coloradoans experience around 300 days of sunshine a year, or that we’ve had some wicked powder days the last couple of seasons, or maybe it’s because we can buy copious amounts of green, “organic” material without fearing the law.  These facts, combined with our booming tech businesses are just some of the reasons why the Mile-High City won the top spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural Best Places to Live survey.

But I’d like to think it’s also because our humble state is making news for another reason—our killer dining scene. In addition to many restaurants being independently owned and operated (more than 75% of Colorado restaurants to be exact), Denver boasts several James Beard Award Winners (7 of which credited to Frasca Food and Wine in nearby Boulder) and even more James Beard Award nominations. If you’re a local, you probably aren’t surprised by these accolades because you know that sourcing top quality ingredients (many from local farms) is just part of the gig here in town. The Denver food scene has grown and evolved in the last 10 years, attracting the attention of more food-centric events and even food tours (like Local Table Tours) which are popular among the locals and tourists alike.

These wins, however aren’t without their challenges. In just 9 years we’ve seen the number of Denver farms drop from 24 to only 14. Additionally, several commercial kitchens have closed in Denver, which raises the question about the availability of affordable commercial processing space within the city. As Denver’s food scene continues to make national headlines, now is the time to plan the future of Denver’s Food System. Meeting with local restaurateurs, farmers and other food service industry stakeholders, the City of Denver is embarking on the first of its kind strategic planning effort to strengthen its food system.

Wait, What Is a Food System?

A food system is the process of bringing food from farm to fork (literally). Encompassing several stakeholders from start to finish, the food system as it relates to Denver includes: Food Producers (our famers), Food Processors (those responsible for packaging, processor or manufacturing ready-to-eat foods), Food Distributors (transporting raw food from farm to market), Food Retailers (your local grocery story) and Food Consumers (everyone who eats). This very large and somewhat complex chain features a lot of touch points from the time food is grown to what ends up on your plate—in Denver alone there are 2,221 operating food system business establishments, accounting for over 56,000 employees (or nearly 10% of all jobs in Denver).

Image Source: Denvergov.org
Image Source: Denvergov.org

With roughly $312 million of tax revenue generated by Denver’s food system each year, the economic impact of our food system is clear.

So what happens when long-term access to land, reliable access to clean affordable water and overall viability of our local farms becomes threatened? These are just a few of the many challenges faces the root of our food system. To address these issues and plan for the future, the City of Denver is developing a 15-year strategic food vision accompanied by a 5-year action plan to help guide the city’s efforts towards achieving its “Denver Food Vision 2030.”

The purpose of the Denver Food Vision 2030 is to contain high-level goals that addresses issues like healthy food access, economic development, community development and more. While creating this plan, Denver officials are regularly meeting with food system employees and community stakeholders for their input on the current system’s strengths and opportunities for greater success.

To learn more about Denver’s Food System, check out their 2016 Baseline Report here »

About Natalie Fauble

Natalie Fauble is the Online Marketing Manager - Content & SEO for Tundra Restaurant Supply. As a digital marketer with a passion for the restaurant industry, Natalie helps companies shape their brand through thoughtful, fun and innovative content strategies. When she isn't blogging for Tundra Restaurant Supply you can find her in her vegetable garden or in the kitchen whipping up one of her favorite dishes.

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