Through Ordinance 302, the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) Initiative proposed to increase taxes to establish a fund for healthy food and food-based education for Denver’s youth. The city ballot measure was approved by voters in 2018 and went into effect in January 2019 for ten years. The funds are distributed through competitive grants to agencies of local government, public schools, and non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on serving low-income and under-served youth.
Funding decisions are determined by the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) Commission, which is made up of non-profit, government, and community member volunteer appointees who meet monthly. The Commission is staffed and supported by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE).
The application process is currently closed. Return here for future commission openings.
To read more about Commission member duties and activities, visit the Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Commission page, which includes previous meeting materials, current membership, and duties of the commission.
Commission Member Requirements
- You have experience, interest or other applicable skills related to improving healthy food access for youth
- You live or work in the City and County of Denver
- You are either a community member/resident representative or a representative of a city-wide organization engaged in food-related activities. Note that we anticipate selecting one individual in each of these two categories to fill current vacancies, as mandated by the HFDK Ordinance
- You are willing to disclose any potential conflicts of interest (Note that staff members of current or prospective HFDK grantees are eligible to apply and serve on the Commission, as long as they recuse appropriately and comply with HFDK’s Conflict of Interest Policy)
- You can attend HFDK Commission meetings. Attendance at all Commission meetings is expected (our 2023 meeting schedule can be found here)
- You can work on/participate in committees and other duties as needed, totaling approximately 4 hours per month in addition to monthly Commission meetings. More time may be required during funding application review period, and members are required to participate in at least one funding review annually.
- You can serve a full Commission term of three years. Service can be extended if you choose and are approved for an additional three-year term.
- You will serve without compensation
Desired Qualifications
People with experience related to healthy food access for youth and families, as well as people who are connected broadly across the city or deeply within their community and/or neighborhood. More specifically:
- Applicants 18 - 25 years old
- Applicants who have personally experienced/lived with hunger or food insecurity, including:
- not having access to healthy food close to your home,
- not being able to afford the healthy food you would like to eat,
- not being able to find food from your culture,
- utilizing public food assistance programs such as SNAP or WIC,
- utilizing food banks, pantries or food rescue services
Applicants who have experience in some of the following:
- Food systems and local procurement
- Public health
- Business development for nonprofit organizations
- Public policy
- Program monitoring, evaluation, and learning
- Early childhood education and childcare
The City and County of Denver provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for Boards & Commissions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.