Kaizen Food Share
Who We Are:
Our organization is led by our community members from the ground up, using a community-centered philosophy that is tied to the principles of kaizen. Kaizen emphasizes continual improvement by all members of the organization, and we innovate on this by including community, knowledge, and skills in our approach. In our model, impacted community members and leaders are the driving force behind our work.
Our board, volunteer team, and site managers at Kaizen Food Rescue are recruited from the same community we serve - those who faced food insecurity, its multiplying effects and interested in changing the food system. Our community members engage in joint decision-making, planning, and the implementation of projects and programs to advance a collective vision that transcends organizational boundaries.
Our Mission:
To improve food justice and health equity in communities facing food apartheid in the Denver Metro area.
Our Vision:
A future where our communities are egalitarian, thriving, empowered, interconnected, and creating prosperity through local food and political advocacy.
Who We Serve:
Kaizen is dedicated to serving all individuals and families in the Denver metro area who face barriers to accessing healthy, affordable food. We strive to create a more equitable and sustainable food system for everyone, including but not limited to:
Anyone seeking access to healthy, affordable food options
Refugees and immigrants establishing new lives
Veterans and people experiencing homelessness
Families struggling with food costs
Anyone seeking to support a healthier environment by reducing food waste
Our Impact:
Kaizen has distributed over 16.4 million pounds of food to more than 400,000 families. By providing access to nutritious food, we empower those facing food insecurity, improving health outcomes and strengthening our community. We believe that access to food is a fundamental right and key to social mobility and well-being.
Community Pop-Up Food Shares Schedule
Select a date to see the time and location.
*17 rotating solidarity food share locations not listed.
Definition of Food Apartheid:
Food apartheid describes the systemic and structural inequities in food access that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Unlike the term "food desert," which merely highlights a lack of access to fresh and nutritious food, food apartheid recognizes the deliberate role of historical and ongoing policies, practices, and racism in creating and sustaining these disparities. It emphasizes the intersection of economic, racial, and social factors that shape inequities in the food system (National Black Food and Justice Alliance).
Definition of Food Justice:
Food justice is the movement and framework that seeks to address inequities in food systems by ensuring equitable access to nutritious, culturally appropriate, and sustainably produced food for all communities. It emphasizes tackling systemic issues such as racism, economic inequality, and environmental degradation that contribute to food insecurity, while advocating for community-led solutions and policies that empower marginalized populations (Food First Institute for Food and Development Policy, 2024).
Get Involved
We gratefully accept all volunteers regardless of skill level to help expand our community garden and free food shares.
Meaningful donations (via Donorbox) are vital for purchasing food and supplies for our community-led initiatives.