High temperatures provide added challenges
Shalom said since 2020, about 22,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables have gone to approximately 18,000 individuals and families who don’t know where their next meal will come from. According to the nonprofit Hunger Free Colorado, one in three Coloradans don’t have access to nutritious food.
“You should not be in a position where you can’t afford the fruits and vegetables that you need to sustain yourself; everyone has a right to eat healthy healthy food,” said Shalom.
But the rising temperatures due to climate change continue to make Ekar’s mission more challenging. Emma Alanis is the farm’s outreach and program manager.
“Starting in April, May and June, really high temperatures drastically affect our conditions,” she added, explaining that Colorado’s already dry weather forces them to constantly adapt and reevaluate their farming methods at Ekar. “Should we be using different seeds or should we start growing in different times? Are the seasons …