The venue was sparkling, the food was delicious, and the wine and beer were flowing as hundreds gathered for the 26th annual Taste event on Thursday, September 12. The Food Bank for Larimer County’s annual food and beverage tasting event in which guests get to sample some of Northern Colorado’s finest cuisine from locally-owned restaurants – the Taste truly is the foodie event of the year.
Hosted at the Marriott, guests and supporters flowed between the Ballroom and the Pavillion browsing tasty indulgences, chatting, sampling local craft beers and variety of wines, enjoying live music and bidding on fabulous silent auction items. This year’s people’s choice award, known as the Toast of the Taste, was Blue Agave Grill!
In all, we raised more than $80,000 at this year’s The Taste for hunger-relief programs in our community.
It’s the Food Bank for Larimer County’s annual food and beverage tasting event providing guests with the opportunity to sample some of Northern Colorado’s finest cuisine from locally-owned restaurants. In addition to great food, guests can also sample local craft beers and a variety of wines while enjoying live music and bidding on fabulous silent auction items.
The Taste 2019will take place on September 12th at the Fort Collins Marriott and will feature a club-style setting in the outdoor pavilion and a VIP lounge with exclusive food and drink offerings. CopperMuse Distillery will be back in the VIP lounge and joining them this year is the long-time Taste favorite, Jays Bistro. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, 100% of every ticket sold supports the Food Bank’s hunger-relief programs.
Check out a full list of participating restaurants here and the list of beverage providers here. Secure your tickets to The Taste 2019 for a night filled with food, fun, and drinks!
Please note: All attendees of the Taste must be 21 years of age or older.
https://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/TheTaste-50.jpg33385000Kate Sheltonhttps://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.pngKate Shelton2019-08-01 17:34:152019-08-12 15:32:25Join us for The Taste 2019
Healthy. Affordable. Delicious. These three basic words help define the Cooking Matters approach to ending childhood hunger and helping families shop for and prepare healthy meals.
Cooking Matters is an initiative through Share Our Strength that works to “end childhood hunger by inspiring families to make healthy, affordable food choices.” In August, the Food Bank for Larimer County launched its Cooking Matters program offering families in need the opportunity to learn how to make their food dollars stretch further while preparing healthy meals for their families. The initial Cooking Matters classes have been held at partner locations like the Murphy Center and the Sunrise Loveland Summer Fair.
Learn more about Cooking Matters in the video below.
Whitney Helton is the Food Bank’s nutrition education coordinator and the person responsible for building and delivering the Cooking Matters curriculum. “I spent a lot of time in Denver training with the Cooking Matters team, learning what classroom topics are most effective and how to engage volunteers in this process,” Whitney said. “Cooking Matters provides a ton of program materials, tools and resources to help our families to remove the barrier of providing healthy meals. I can’t wait to get started.”
Guests learn about the different food groups at a mock “grocery store” at the Sunrise Loveland Summer Fair.
The Food Bank’s Cooking Matters program consists of two tracks: grocery store tours and classroom work. “The grocery store tours are a great source of information for our participants,” Whitney said. “During the tours, we focus on nutritional content, unit pricing and other elements that help our families get the most out of their food budgets while preparing healthy and delicious meals. Our classroom curriculum will be hands-on, giving participants the opportunity to put their skills into practice.”
Through the partnership with Share Our Strength, the Cooking Matters program will serve families from food insecure households with a priority given to those with children 5 and under. Whitney is currently working with the Food Bank’s partner agencies to register the first Cooking Matters class, with the goal of graduation by the end of the summer.
Look for more information throughout the summer on the Food Bank’s Cooking Matters program. If you are interested in volunteering for the Cooking Matters program or would like to sign up for a class, contact Whitney Helton.
https://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cooking-matters-2.jpg640960foodbankhttps://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.pngfoodbank2019-06-12 21:53:402019-08-12 16:11:42Food Bank Launches Cooking Matters Class
The weather was beautiful, the music was lively, and the brews were cold as hundreds gathered to celebrate the Food Bank’s first anniversary in our new home and have a little summer fun all to support the work of the Food Bank for Larimer County. Guests and supporters congregated at the distribution center located at 5706 Wright Drive, in Loveland, under the summer sky to enjoy live music from The Burroughs, Coyote Gold margaritas, and tasty local brews from Grimm Brothers Brewhouse and Verboten Brewing. They were also able to purchase delicious food from Sweaty Moose, Liquid N2 ice cream, and Mile High Lobster Shack food trucks.
Thank you to everyone who came out for this awesome event!
https://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.png00foodbankhttps://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.pngfoodbank2019-06-07 06:10:052019-06-07 12:13:55A Night to Remember at this Year's Summer Soiree
For many children throughout Larimer County, summer vacation means no school meals and the prospect of going hungry. At the Kids Cafe, the Food Bank will be serving healthy, made from scratch meals for children ages 18 and under during the summer at multiple sites throughout Larimer County.
Spring has sprung and with it comes an easy way for you to support the Food Bank for Larimer County. The Food Bank encourages you to “Plant It Forward” to increase local produce donations from backyard gardeners and local farms.
All community members are invited and challenged to plant an extra row in their garden! When your crop is ready, drop it off at either the Food Bank for Larimer County or the Gardens on Spring Creek. No donation is too small!
In 2018, local gardeners donated more than 45,000 pounds of fresh produce to help us feed the hungry with fresh, locally raised produce. Click here to learn more about how Plant it Foward Works and how you can get involved. Be sure to tell your friends and fellow gardeners about Plant it Foward and encourage them to plant additional rows, too.
For people living with food insecurity, purchasing healthy, fresh, and nutritious food is often out of reach due to cost. By donating the extras from your garden, you’ll help the Food Bank for Larimer County provide our guests with healthy options. We know fresh food provides health benefits, according to the USDA, “people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.” Your donation will help feed neighbors in need leading to a healthier and more vibrant community for all.
Drop Off Details
Fort Collins Food Bank
1301 Blue Spruce Dr.
Fort Collins, CO
Monday-Friday, noon-6 pm
Loveland Food Bank
2600 N. Lincoln Ave.
Loveland, CO
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am-2 pm
Food Bank HQ and Distribution Center 5706 Wright Dr.
Loveland, CO
Monday-Friday, 8 am-4 pm
Gardens on Spring Creek
2145 Centre Avenue
Saturday 9 am-4 pm; Sunday Noon-5 pm
This year, plant an extra row or two and plan to donate the proceeds to the Food Bank for Larimer County!
https://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.png00foodbankhttps://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.pngfoodbank2019-04-26 01:00:122019-05-15 15:21:47Plant it Forward with the Food Bank
A record 35 restaurants and 3 ice cream shops came together in support of the Food Bank for this year’s event. The 14th Annual Great Plates lived up to its name, with all 38 establishments offering great dinner and dessert specials.
https://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/fblc-web21-gps-thank-you2.jpg4451200foodbankhttps://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.pngfoodbank2019-02-15 23:18:292019-04-24 14:56:44Great Plates of Downtown Fort Collins 2019 is a Big Success
With the installation of the new automated glass entrance and exit doors, the Food Bank for Larimer County officially completed the renovation of its Fresh Food Pantry located on Blue Spruce Drive in Fort Collins.
The community came out in force to celebrate the 22nd Annual Food Bank for Larimer County’s Empty Bowls Soup Dinner & Art Auction fundraiser. The event, which began in an art class at Lopez Elementary School more than two decades ago, played host to more than 600 guests…
The reviews are in and 13th Annual Bread ‘N’ Boards fundraiser was once again a big hit!
“Sears Trostel Lumber Bread and Boards. Awesome event!”
“I really like the bread and boards idea. It was my first time to attend.”
“Good product for a gift.”
Perhaps the best review was the more than $33,000 that was raised by the sale of the boards – all benefiting the Food Bank for Larimer County.
The event, hosted each year by Sears Trostel Lumber & Millwork, has become a community favorite and features beautiful handmade cutting boards created by Sears Trostel employees and volunteers. For a donation of $35, guests at this year’s event were able to choose from hundreds of beautiful hardwood cutting boards. The boards will make the perfect gift for friends, family and co-workers.
Each board came with a certificate for a free loaf of Great Harvest bread, and a bottle of finishing oil. The Food Bank provided color gift tags to include when giving the boards as gifts.
https://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.png00foodbankhttps://foodbanklarimer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/new-fblc-logo2.pngfoodbank2018-12-02 17:27:082019-01-15 22:33:25Bread 'N' Boards 2018 is a Big Success
The Taste 2019: A Sparkling Success
/in Events, Featured /by Kate SheltonHosted at the Marriott, guests and supporters flowed between the Ballroom and the Pavillion browsing tasty indulgences, chatting, sampling local craft beers and variety of wines, enjoying live music and bidding on fabulous silent auction items. This year’s people’s choice award, known as the Toast of the Taste, was Blue Agave Grill!
In all, we raised more than $80,000 at this year’s The Taste for hunger-relief programs in our community.
This year’s presenting sponsor was UCHealth. Other Enticing Entree sponsors included by Flood and Peterson, Citizen Printing, Bohemian Foundation, Clay Pot Creative, Cargill, First Bank and Flexx Productions.
Thank you to everyone who came out for this awesome event and for making it a success!
Check out more great photos from the Taste at the Food Bank’s Facebook page.
Join us for The Taste 2019
/in Featured, News /by Kate SheltonIt’s the Food Bank for Larimer County’s annual food and beverage tasting event providing guests with the opportunity to sample some of Northern Colorado’s finest cuisine from locally-owned restaurants. In addition to great food, guests can also sample local craft beers and a variety of wines while enjoying live music and bidding on fabulous silent auction items.
The Taste 2019 will take place on September 12th at the Fort Collins Marriott and will feature a club-style setting in the outdoor pavilion and a VIP lounge with exclusive food and drink offerings. CopperMuse Distillery will be back in the VIP lounge and joining them this year is the long-time Taste favorite, Jays Bistro. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, 100% of every ticket sold supports the Food Bank’s hunger-relief programs.
Check out a full list of participating restaurants here and the list of beverage providers here. Secure your tickets to The Taste 2019 for a night filled with food, fun, and drinks!
Get tickets and join us!
Please note: All attendees of the Taste must be 21 years of age or older.
Food Bank Launches Cooking Matters Class
/in Featured, Programs /by foodbankHealthy. Affordable. Delicious. These three basic words help define the Cooking Matters approach to ending childhood hunger and helping families shop for and prepare healthy meals.
Cooking Matters is an initiative through Share Our Strength that works to “end childhood hunger by inspiring families to make healthy, affordable food choices.” In August, the Food Bank for Larimer County launched its Cooking Matters program offering families in need the opportunity to learn how to make their food dollars stretch further while preparing healthy meals for their families. The initial Cooking Matters classes have been held at partner locations like the Murphy Center and the Sunrise Loveland Summer Fair.
Learn more about Cooking Matters in the video below.
Whitney Helton is the Food Bank’s nutrition education coordinator and the person responsible for building and delivering the Cooking Matters curriculum. “I spent a lot of time in Denver training with the Cooking Matters team, learning what classroom topics are most effective and how to engage volunteers in this process,” Whitney said. “Cooking Matters provides a ton of program materials, tools and resources to help our families to remove the barrier of providing healthy meals. I can’t wait to get started.”
Guests learn about the different food groups at a mock “grocery store” at the Sunrise Loveland Summer Fair.
The Food Bank’s Cooking Matters program consists of two tracks: grocery store tours and classroom work. “The grocery store tours are a great source of information for our participants,” Whitney said. “During the tours, we focus on nutritional content, unit pricing and other elements that help our families get the most out of their food budgets while preparing healthy and delicious meals. Our classroom curriculum will be hands-on, giving participants the opportunity to put their skills into practice.”
Through the partnership with Share Our Strength, the Cooking Matters program will serve families from food insecure households with a priority given to those with children 5 and under. Whitney is currently working with the Food Bank’s partner agencies to register the first Cooking Matters class, with the goal of graduation by the end of the summer.
Look for more information throughout the summer on the Food Bank’s Cooking Matters program. If you are interested in volunteering for the Cooking Matters program or would like to sign up for a class, contact Whitney Helton.
A Night to Remember at this Year’s Summer Soiree
/in Featured, News /by foodbankThe weather was beautiful, the music was lively, and the brews were cold as hundreds gathered to celebrate the Food Bank’s first anniversary in our new home and have a little summer fun all to support the work of the Food Bank for Larimer County. Guests and supporters congregated at the distribution center located at 5706 Wright Drive, in Loveland, under the summer sky to enjoy live music from The Burroughs, Coyote Gold margaritas, and tasty local brews from Grimm Brothers Brewhouse and Verboten Brewing. They were also able to purchase delicious food from Sweaty Moose, Liquid N2 ice cream, and Mile High Lobster Shack food trucks.
This year’s event was presented by Eide Bailly and sponsored by Flood and Peterson, Citizen Printing, The Bohemian Foundation, Flexx Productions, and Elevations Credit Union.
Thank you to everyone who came out for this awesome event!
Kids Cafe Summer Schedule 2019
/in Featured /by foodbankFor many children throughout Larimer County, summer vacation means no school meals and the prospect of going hungry. At the Kids Cafe, the Food Bank will be serving healthy, made from scratch meals for children ages 18 and under during the summer at multiple sites throughout Larimer County.
Plant it Forward with the Food Bank
/in Featured, News /by foodbankAll community members are invited and challenged to plant an extra row in their garden! When your crop is ready, drop it off at either the Food Bank for Larimer County or the Gardens on Spring Creek. No donation is too small!
In 2018, local gardeners donated more than 45,000 pounds of fresh produce to help us feed the hungry with fresh, locally raised produce. Click here to learn more about how Plant it Foward Works and how you can get involved. Be sure to tell your friends and fellow gardeners about Plant it Foward and encourage them to plant additional rows, too.
For people living with food insecurity, purchasing healthy, fresh, and nutritious food is often out of reach due to cost. By donating the extras from your garden, you’ll help the Food Bank for Larimer County provide our guests with healthy options. We know fresh food provides health benefits, according to the USDA, “people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.” Your donation will help feed neighbors in need leading to a healthier and more vibrant community for all.
Drop Off Details
Fort Collins Food Bank
1301 Blue Spruce Dr.
Fort Collins, CO
Monday-Friday, noon-6 pm
Loveland Food Bank
2600 N. Lincoln Ave.
Loveland, CO
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am-2 pm
Food Bank HQ and Distribution Center
5706 Wright Dr.
Loveland, CO
Monday-Friday, 8 am-4 pm
Gardens on Spring Creek
2145 Centre Avenue
Saturday 9 am-4 pm; Sunday Noon-5 pm
This year, plant an extra row or two and plan to donate the proceeds to the Food Bank for Larimer County!
Great Plates of Downtown Fort Collins 2019 is a Big Success
/in Featured, News /by foodbankA record 35 restaurants and 3 ice cream shops came together in support of the Food Bank for this year’s event. The 14th Annual Great Plates lived up to its name, with all 38 establishments offering great dinner and dessert specials.
Blue Spruce Pantry Renovation Wraps Up
/in Featured, News /by foodbankWith the installation of the new automated glass entrance and exit doors, the Food Bank for Larimer County officially completed the renovation of its Fresh Food Pantry located on Blue Spruce Drive in Fort Collins.
Community Celebrates Empty Bowls
/in Featured, News /by foodbankThe community came out in force to celebrate the 22nd Annual Food Bank for Larimer County’s Empty Bowls Soup Dinner & Art Auction fundraiser. The event, which began in an art class at Lopez Elementary School more than two decades ago, played host to more than 600 guests…
Bread ‘N’ Boards 2018 is a Big Success
/in News /by foodbankThe reviews are in and 13th Annual Bread ‘N’ Boards fundraiser was once again a big hit!
“Sears Trostel Lumber Bread and Boards. Awesome event!”
“I really like the bread and boards idea. It was my first time to attend.”
“Good product for a gift.”
Perhaps the best review was the more than $33,000 that was raised by the sale of the boards – all benefiting the Food Bank for Larimer County.
The event, hosted each year by Sears Trostel Lumber & Millwork, has become a community favorite and features beautiful handmade cutting boards created by Sears Trostel employees and volunteers. For a donation of $35, guests at this year’s event were able to choose from hundreds of beautiful hardwood cutting boards. The boards will make the perfect gift for friends, family and co-workers.
Each board came with a certificate for a free loaf of Great Harvest bread, and a bottle of finishing oil. The Food Bank provided color gift tags to include when giving the boards as gifts.