To Join Us
The Food Access Coalition is working to build a community in which the healthy food our residents are entitled to is affordable and available to all.
We imagine a resilient and sustainable Lake County food system that:
- Enables all community members to access the food they need to thrive
- Elevates community leadership
- Educates and empowers choice
- Builds lasting relationships
If you are passionate about access to healthy, affordable food for all, come volunteer with our Food Access Coalition. To find out more about the coalition’s work and when meetings are next scheduled, please reach out to Mara Gwin at mara@lcbag.org.
Why the Work Matters
Access to nutritious food is fundamental to health, dignity, and a thriving community. Yet in Lake County, too many residents face barriers like limited transportation, few nearby grocery options, rising costs, and gaps in food assistance.
The impact is real and measurable. In 2023, 16.6% of Lake County high school students and 17.3% of middle school students reported going hungry in the past 30 days due to a lack of food at home (Healthy Kids Colorado Survey), and nearly half (49%) of residents said they struggled to afford food to some extent (2023 Lake County Health and Happiness Survey).
The SNAP Gap, developed by the Urban Institute, compares how much SNAP benefits provide per meal to what a meal actually costs, offering a standardized measure of grocery affordability across communities. In 2024, Lake County’s SNAP Gap was 65%—the 11th largest among all rural U.S. counties—indicating that food costs far exceed what assistance provides, but also signalling food price pressures that affect households across the income spectrum.
Together, these challenges increase the risk of hunger and poor health outcomes, and underscore the urgent need for coordinated local solutions. Through collaboration and community leadership, the Food Access Coalition is addressing these barriers by advancing equitable solutions, strengthening partnerships, and building a more resilient local food system through the Lake County Food Action Plan.
Recent Milestones
The LCBAG Food Access Coalition was excited to launch a pilot cohort of the Cloud City Food Lab in 2026—a new 14-week accelerator designed to support emerging and established food entrepreneurs across Lake County. Whether participants are running a cottage food business, exploring a food truck, developing packaged goods, or cooking for pop-ups and markets, this free program provides the tools and guidance to move forward with clarity and confidence.
In tandem with the cohort, LCFAC is working on the Lake County Food Business Startup Guide. Special thanks to our key partner, Sam Block, for facilitating the Cloud City Food Lab and devising this valuable guide to help local entrepreneurs thrive!