Our No Cost Markets make it easy for you to obtain the necessities you need!
Stop by one of our two shopping locations to grab meat, produce, dairy products, diapers and other items on your grocery list for absolutely no cost to you.
Loveland
2600 N Lincoln Ave,
Loveland, CO 80538
Fort Collins
1301 Blue Spruce Dr,
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Shopping Hours:
Monday, Sunday: Closed
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am – 3pm
Wednesday (accessible shopping): 12pm – 3pm
What to expect
When you first arrive, you will be greeted by our friendly staff who will help you get started by filling out basic information. If it’s your first visit, we’ll simply ask for a valid ID and something that shows you live in Larimer County.
Our No Cost Markets are client’s choice, so you’re welcome to browse at your own pace and select the items that best meet your needs. Your trip could take anywhere from 45 minutes – 1.5 hours. While you may choose from every section, some items may have quantity limits based on household size to ensure fair access for all.
Grocery carts may be available for your convenience, but we highly encourage bringing personal wagons/carts and totes or reusable bags to help transport your groceries.
QUANTITY AND QUALITY
Thanks to the donations from our amazing community and partners, the food and products we offer at our No Cost Markets are items and brands you’d expect to see at your local stores. We ensure that every item we make available has gone through detailed screenings to ensure you’re getting the best quality.
Accessibility Shopping
Wednesdays 12pm-3pm
Guests 60 years and older, as well as those with disabilities, are welcome to shop exclusively on Wednesdays at both of our No Cost Market locations. No need to worry about large crowds and busy lines, shop at your own pace!
Need assistance with shopping? Learn more about proxy shoppers below.
FIRST TIME SHOPPER?
Guests visiting for the first time can choose to fill out the form below beforehand to speed up your shopping experience or complete one as you arrive to the market.
If you chose to fill out your form ahead of time, please print it out to bring with you and DO NOT email it. First time guests will be asked to show valid ID and something that shows a Larimer County address. Please see below for examples:
ID Examples:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Government-issued ID
- Student ID
- Work ID
- Shelter ID
Larimer County Address Document:
- Account statements or another monthly bill
- Bank statements, credit card statements, or any other bill that shows your address and a date within the last six months.
- We accept paper and electronic versions, including a version that you can pull up on your phone.
- Utility bill
- Auto insurance card (with name and address)
- Mail addressed to you from a company, even if it’s junk or promotional
- NOTE: A lot of this type of mail will show your address, but not have a postmarked date. Be sure to check it has both before using. The mail must also contain your name.
What we CANNOT ACCEPT:
- Personal mail or delivery packages
- Personal letter or card
- Packages delivered from Amazon, DHL, etc.
- Any mail that is not dated within the last six months
- Personal mail or delivery packages
SHOPPING FOR SOMEONE ELSE?
Do you or someone you know need assistance with shopping? A “proxy” shopper is someone who has been approved to shop on the behalf of someone incapable or in need of assistance. Those in The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) can assign an individual to pick up a CSFP box (aka Senior Box) in lieu of the senior client. Monthly TEFAP commodities can also be picked up by proxy shoppers.
- It is essential that BOTH the client and proxy sign the form.
- Food Bank clients/shoppers may assign more than one proxy shopper.
- Once signed and completed, the proxy form is valid for one calendar year.
- Even when a client/shopper has an assigned proxy, they are still welcome to pick up their own food when they are able.
- An individual can be a proxy shopper for more than one person.
- An example when this applies naturally is when someone is shopping for many people who live in the same senior living facility.
- With our new policy that allows only those who live in Larimer County to shop with us, you can still be a proxy shopper.
- Proxy shoppers will need to verify that the person for whom they are shopping lives in Larimer County. See the details here under the FAQ “I am a proxy shopper…”
For information about The Emergency Food Assistance Program, CLICK HERE
For information about The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, CLICK HERE
SHOPPING FAQS
Is it really free to shop?
Absolutely! It is 100% no cost to shop through our market, we just ask you bring the necessary items like valid ID and proof of Larimer county residency.
I'm a first-time shopper, what do I need to do?
When you first arrive, you will be greeted by our friendly staff who will help you get started by filling out basic information. If it’s your first visit, we’ll simply ask for a valid ID and something that shows you live in Larimer County.
Filling out a first-time shopper form before you arrive is not required, but it can speed up your shopping experience. Please email your form to info@foodbanklarimer.org once complete
Can somebody else shop for me?
Yes, for some items.
Proxy shoppers are dedicated shoppers for those with disabilities or who have trouble shopping. A proxy form is used to assign an indivdual to pick up a CSFP box (aka Senior Box) in lieu of the senior client. It can also be used for monthly TEFAP commodities pickups. More details and a copy of the form is here.
How does it work?
We try to make a trip to our No-Cost Markets as similar as possible to going to a grocery store.
After checking in, you are then welcome to walk through each section we have lined up to select the produce, snacks, meat and desserts you would like.
We don’t want people to worry about where their next meal is going to come from, and it’s our privilege to be able to help however we can. Please take your time and make sure you get what you need!
What do I need to bring?
If it’s your first visit, we’ll simply ask for a valid ID and Larimer County address verification. The Food Bank for Larimer County has created a new shopping policy of serving only clients who live in Larimer County and can document their address. To review our process of verifying a Larimer County address, read more here.
Those seeking enrollment and participation in the United State Dept. of Agriculture’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). To obtain CSFP commodities, a photo ID is required.
Returning shoppers do not need to do paperwork, only check-in at the registers at the entrance. However, from time to time, based on which programs you participate in, you will need to periodically recertify and confirm your information with the check-in staff.
Learn more about the process of visiting here.
How often can I shop?
Clients can visit Food Bank Food Share No-Cost Markets (this includes both Food Share locations and any Mobile Market) up to two times per week. These visits are tracked and checked by the staff and volunteers at each location to ensure we can offer all residents of Larimer county enough food and resources.
What kind of food can I chose from?
We offer a wide variety of fresh, shelf-stable and frozen/ refrigerated food items including*:
- Fresh produce
- Dairy products
- Meat
- Cereal and breakfast items
*What you find at our No Cost Markets may vary from day to day, and we can never guarantee that we’ll have a specific item. What we can guarantee is that you will have access to a supply of nutritious food at no cost.
My income exceeds your limits but I need help, can I still shop?
YES.
If you need food, come to the Food Bank, and we will help you
Depending on your income, you may not qualify to receive certain government commodities, but you can still access a wide variety of donated food. Again, if you are in need of food, come visit us. We can help.
Why do I see some people with more than others?
Many people pick up food for their entire family, and some of our clients help relatives or neighbors by picking up their food for them. Depending on house size, some shoppers may be entitled to more items than others.
Can I bring my dog/pet?
As much as we love animals, unfortunately due to health and food standards, pets cannot come inside our shopping locations.
Only service animals are allowed at the Fresh Food Share No-Cost Markets. Federal law defines services animals as dogs that are trained to perform a specific task related to a person’s disability. Emotional support or comfort animals are NOT considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
I already receive SNAP benefits(food stamps), can I still shop at a No Cost Market?
Yes.
Many of our clients receive SNAP benefits in addition to visiting our No Cost Markets. In fact, we have a full-time crew of highly-skilled Food Bank staff dedicated to helping people get signed up for SNAP benefits. Our vision is a hunger-free Larimer County, and we want you to take advantage of every available resource to get the food you need for your household.
Do I need to fill out a form before I arrive?
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the
responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. More details here.
The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442
Email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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