Universal Basic Food -Decreasing food insecurity and increasing health and well being.
The Universal Basic Food program aims to encourage healthy eating by providing a variety of essential, free-of-charge, universally available foods at participating grocery stores. Residents near these stores will shop for nutritionally-approved, community-endorsed foods that meet specific standards for free.
Participants will be able to access approximately 100 basic food items at no cost from the participating grocery store. District partnerships and brand collaborations will offer discounted items. This program not only promotes healthier food options but also keeps the community opinion involved throughout the 12 month duration.
Colorado Food Cluster has designed a pilot program based on the Morgridge Family Foundation, NewImpact and Metro Caring’s research and conceptualization of a Community Food Utility. In partnership with the core partners responsible for establishing an innovative approach to transform health and hunger outcomes, Colorado Food Cluster has created a program to test the feasibility and impact.
HOW OUR PROGRAM WORKS
ABOUT
GOALS
RESEARCH
ELIGIBILITY
The UBF program will provide a selection of 100 essential food items from a grocery store retailer, completely free of charge to participating individuals and families. The quantities of each item will be tailored according to the size of the household. All food items offered are deemed healthy, nutrient-rich, and reflective of diverse cultural preferences. If participants desire items not listed in the UBF inventory, they will need to cover the cost themselves.
Over the course of a year, the Universal Basic Food pilot program aims to:
Test the feasibility of introducing and sustaining comparable programs in other settings across the state and nation
Examine the program’s impact on health and well-being, sustainability and reducing stigma affiliated with free food programs
Evaluate the program’s impact on the health care system
In partnership with the Center for Improving Value in HealthCare (CIVHC), we will be evaluating the impact the program has on the healthcare system. As a condition of participating in the program, participants must agree to share their shopping data for research. CFC will use it to determine how the program is working, and the grocery store will use it to fine-tune their inventory-management and food procurement processes.
The only eligibility requirements are related to the community surrounding the participating grocery store. Participants should live, work, play, go to school, or frequent, the 80224 zip code. Participants from the 80224, 80246, 80247, and 80231 zip codes are especially encouraged to participate. All demographics and income levels are eligible.
LOCATION
In partnership with the Center for Improving Value in HealthCare (CIVHC), we will be evaluating the impact the program has on the healthcare system. As a condition of participating in the program, participant must agree to share their shopping data for research.
