PUEBLO — A boost in funding this week for the Pueblo Food Council after an $80,000 grant from the Colorado Health Foundation. The council is part of a plan by the Pueblo Food Project, a group that is trying to create an agricultural system in Pueblo.
The goal of the council is to find ways to solve Pueblo's food problems like food deserts and how to promote local foods grown in Pueblo.
The US Department of Agriculture defines food deserts based on income levels, transportation issues and distance to supermarkets that can all limit a population's access to fresh foods.
"I think recognizes the efforts the local community has put into this project and i think it portends what the future might hold in terms of getting this food council to be self sustaining," says Mayor Nick Gradisar. "Agriculture production is one of the biggest drivers in Pueblo County and the City of Pueblo. It is an important economic driver for the city and county of Pueblo, so it is important for us to make sure that we are doing as much as we can to encourage that and support it,"
Right now the plans are to hire a coordinator along with creating a shared kitchen for food businesses starting out that can't afford a kitchen.
