Hearty Provisions

Denver, CO

Date Funded: May, 2024

Hearty Provisions (formerly known as East Denver Food Hub) is a social enterprise that cultivates resilient, equitable, and collaborative local and regional food ecosystems through value chain development, institutional procurement, environmental stewardship, private/public partnerships, and food policy education.

Co-founded in 2020 by David Demerling (CFO) and Roberto Meza (CEO) in the midst of the pandemic, Hearty Provisions works with about 80 different farmers and more than 60 different community organizations across Colorado's Front Range. By aggregating products from small and mid-sized farmers, they supply grocery stores, restaurants, nonprofit organizations and food pantries, large-volume institutions, and local farmers markets—bringing healthy, nutritious food to local communities and supporting long-term food chain viability. Fundamental to their mission is the desire to increase local food access for underserved communities, while increaasing the number of BIPOC regenerative farmers and the associated market opportunities essential to their success.

Foodshed Capital proudly supported Hearty Provisions with a 0% interest loan to build their capacity. With this financial flexibility, they're growing the pipeline for small and mid-size local producers to bring more local produce, proteins, and value-added products to market.