Boulder County Food Pantries Face Crisis Amid Ongoing Shutdown

Food pantries across Boulder County are bracing for a significant impact as the federal government shutdown continues and potential cuts to food assistance programs loom. Organizations like Harvest of Hope, located at 4830 Pearl St. in Boulder, report increasing anxiety as they prepare for a surge in demand for food assistance.

On October 15, 2025, volunteers like Bob Schwall worked diligently at Harvest of Hope, unloading food from a mobile pantry van. The pantry serves a diverse clientele, including single adults, parents, and the unhoused. Inside, visitors find a grocery-like setup with produce, canned goods, and pre-made meals. However, by afternoon, some shelves were noticeably empty, reflecting the growing need in the community.

Executive Director Chad Molter expressed concern about the future of food assistance. “I know it takes a lot to move the needle. We’re downstream from a lot of things happening that we can’t control,” he stated. The pantry has already served over 6,000 individuals this year, a marked increase from fewer than 5,000 last year. With an average of 140 visitors each month, many now rely on Harvest of Hope as their primary source of food.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays a critical role in supplying food to pantries through the Food Emergency Assistance Program (TEFAP). However, with the USDA shut down, requests submitted by October 31 should still be fulfilled. Orders placed after this date may go unfilled if the shutdown persists. TEFAP has already seen funding cuts of approximately $500,000 earlier this year, further complicating the situation for local food banks.

Many patrons of Harvest of Hope also depend on programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. These programs are also under threat from proposed budget cuts, which could exacerbate food insecurity in the area.

Community Response to Growing Needs

The Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) in north Boulder is also feeling the strain. Director of Development and Communications Ellen Ross reported that EFAA distributed 124 million pounds of food last year to over 2,200 households. While EFAA does not rely as heavily on TEFAP as Harvest of Hope, Ross noted a decrease in the variety of food available through the program. “We’re obviously anticipating an increase if the government shutdown continues,” she remarked.

In Longmont, the human services nonprofit OUR Center is preparing for an influx of clients as well. Executive Director Marc Cowell indicated that they could see up to 25% more households visiting their community food market if the shutdown extends into November. “There’s the real possibility of cuts to staff and some other federal programs coming in November,” he said, highlighting the growing demand for assistance.

The Community Food Share in Louisville, which serves Boulder and Broomfield counties, is also concerned about the potential fallout from the shutdown. CEO Kim Da Silva emphasized that food banks will become increasingly vital for those who rely on federal assistance programs like SNAP.

Future Challenges for Food Pantries

During a recent virtual roundtable led by Senator Michael Bennet, representatives from various food pantries discussed their strategies for coping with the increased uncertainty surrounding federal assistance. Nate Springer, President and CEO of the Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs, noted that about a third of their food supply comes from TEFAP, underscoring the program’s importance.

Molter remains hopeful but realistic about the challenges ahead. “The folks that we serve, by and large, they’re working as hard as they can to make ends meet,” he said. The anxiety surrounding the future of food assistance programs weighs heavily on those who depend on these services.

As the situation develops, local food pantries like Harvest of Hope, EFAA, and others continue to seek community support through donations, both food and monetary, to ensure they can meet the rising demand. For those interested in assisting, more information can be found on their respective websites: hopepantry.org and efaa.org.