RTD and We Don’t Waste expands fresh food access to Commerce City
RTD and local nonprofit We Don’t Waste are celebrating the successful launch of a new collaboration, a monthly mobile food market at RTD’s Commerce City•72nd Station that expands access to nutritious food and essential resources for residents.
More than 400 individuals and families attended the first of multiple planned events on Oct. 28 and were able to select from a variety of fresh produce, lean proteins, and other perishable and nonperishable groceries free of charge. It also marked We Don’t Waste’s first-ever market outside of Denver and extended the organization’s reach to Adams County.
We Don’t Waste is one of Colorado’s largest food recovery nonprofits which rescues quality food that might otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to community members in need. The group operates up to 10 mobile markets each month across the Denver area. The Commerce City station will host recurring markets on Nov. 25 and Dec. 23 to continue efforts addressing food insecurity and food waste in the region. Reservations are encouraged and open 24 hours in advance of the event.
RTD staff were on site to share information about LiVE, an income-based program which offers a 50% discount on all RTD services, including bus, rail, Access-a-Ride, and Access-on-Demand trips. Bilingual representatives also provided translation support for marketgoers interested in enrolling.
“We’re seeing an increase of LiVE applications, and partnerships like this help us meet people in need where they are,” said Jyotsna Khattri, RTD Manager for Market Development. “By combining access to food and affordable transportation, we can help support stronger and more connected communities.”
Hunger Free Colorado reports more than one out of every 10 Coloradans struggle to access healthy food, even as roughly 40% of all food in the state goes uneaten. RTD and We Don’t Waste are working together to make a meaningful difference through the collaboration by feeding people instead of filling landfills while strengthening community neighborhoods.
For a complete list of upcoming markets as well as eligibility requirements for RTD’s LiVE program, visit rtd-denver.com or wedontwaste.org.