City Cast Test City logo

Where to Find Free, Healthy Food in Denver

Posted on August 15, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Dylan Brogan

Dylan Brogan

A cardboard box is full of food including a bag of chickpeas, a jar of olives, vegetable oil and metal cans that are unlabelled

Several Denver organization are here to help. (Esin Deniz / Getty Images)


Since the federal government ended the pandemic-era expansion of SNAP benefits, many Coloradans are facing food insecurity issues. Food Bank of the Rockies says it’s currently seeing unprecedented numbers of families and individuals seeking free, accessible food. If you’re struggling with food insecurity or want to help out your community, here are some nutrition resources:

Birdseed Collective is not only an arts and socially-focused community hub, it also hosts its own “food box day” every Monday at 3 p.m. at Globeville Center, offering boxes of fresh produce and other staples.

Joy’s Kitchen is a sustainability-focused food hub, providing boxes of healthy (and often organic) “rescued” food to households in the Denver and Lakewood area.

Metro Caring offers a market-style food bank, where guests can “shop” for their own groceries. Be sure to sign up for an appointment to shop the market in advance.

Denver Community Fridges is a completely volunteer-run mutual aid organization that regularly stocks refrigerators located across the city where anyone can come and take what they need.

We Don’t Waste operates a mobile food market with rotating locations throughout the city several days a week; some locations are walk-up, some are drive-thru. See the organization’s website for more details.

Denver Inner City Parish has been serving the Westside community for more than five decades, and has recently launched a mobile food pantry with varying locations and times.

Community Ministry is a faith-based food pantry serving the Southwest Denver area; be sure to check the website in advance for specific hours of operation and instruction on receiving food.

Share article

Our daily newsletter Hey Test City is here to make you a more engaged citizen of the city you love. The perfect mix of local news highlights, event recommendations, and local life hacks, its in your inbox at 6 a.m.