Senator Luz Escamilla (S.D. 10) and Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) will launch a community-based food security network on Thursday, November 5, connecting local food producers, community organizations, and private-sector partners to deliver nutritious, culturally appropriate food to Utah families in the communities where it is most needed.
The launch comes as Utah families continue to face rising food and household costs and changes to food assistance programs, including nearly 30,000 Utahns who have recently lost access to SNAP benefits. An estimated 445,000 Utahns are currently experiencing food insecurity, including one in five children. That represents an increase of nearly 100,000 Utahns compared with the previous year.
The network will focus particularly on communities that can be difficult to reach through traditional food assistance programs. Rather than relying solely on donated food from outside the community, the model will also purchase food from local producers and connect that food directly with families through trusted community organizations. By bringing local producers, nonprofits, private partners, and community-based organizations together, the network is designed to create a more sustainable local food system. The initiative will prioritize communities across Utah, including Salt Lake, Tooele, Summit, Carbon, and Sanpete counties.
“Utah has the resources. We have local farmers growing food, a generous and willing philanthropic community, and community organizations that families trust. The question is whether we are working together to get those resources to the families and children who need them most,” said Minority Leader Luz Escamilla. “Data points matter, but we can’t forget that behind every data point is a Utah child who is going to bed hungry.”
“Access to fresh, nutritious food is foundational to empowering lives. CPLC is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside valuable partners providing essential care to expand their reach and serve more Utah families and children in our communities,” said Leo Gonzalez, CPLC Program Area Manager.
Local partners will include Holy Cross Ministries, Comunidad Materna, Mujeres Unidas de Utah, Sanpete Food Pantry, Utahns Against Hunger, Bridge the Gap Emergency Food Pantry, and Utah State University Extension. Food will be provided by local and community-based producers, including Utah Natural Meat, International Rescue Committee New Roots, OakDell Egg Farms, and Utah Refugee Goats.
The initiative is supported by the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Mountain America Credit Union, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, and the Brent and Kathryn Wood Foundation.
*Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) is a community development corporation that provides services in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Since 1969, CPLC has been changing lives by developing self-sufficiency and instilling empowerment in those we serve. Our focus areas are advocacy, economic development, education, health & human services, and housing. Today, we have approximately 40 programs & services, nearly 1,800 employees, and 130 locations, making CPLC one of the largest community development corporations in the nation. For more information, please visit cplc.org/regions/utah.
