COMMUNITY FEATURE VIEW OF THE BLUE BEAR FARM GREENHOUSE CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL. J’MARI, CLAYTON R., JAMAUREY, CLAYTON S., AND TREY. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL BLUE BEAR FARM. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL ONE OF THE VENDORS SERVES UP FRESH FOOD AT THE FARMER’S MARKET. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL MO BETTER GREEN: THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY BY YVENS ALEX SAINTIL THIS IS WHAT COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE! According to Feeding America, an estimated 44 million people in the United States — which is about twice the population of New York — lack access to healthy and affordable food options. In 2023, the Colorado Health Institute estimated food insecurity affects one in 10 people throughout the state. Those who are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity include lower-income households, rural residents, young adults, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities, and women. One resident of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood took the initiative to address this situation over a decade ago. In 2010, Beverly Grant, a Denver native and social justice advocate, created Mo Betta Green an urban farming and community-driven organization based in Denver, Colo. Since then, Grant has been feeding, educating, and holding space in the community. Upon meeting Grant and learning about all she has done for her neighbors, I dubbed her “The Matriarch of Five Points.” Grant founded Mo Betta Green with the mission to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating habits while focusing on providing fresh, organic produce to underserved communities in Denver’s historic Five Points and Northeast Park Hill neighborhoods. The organization operates urban farms and community gardens within the city — transforming vacant lots and unused spaces into productive agricultural areas. These farms grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, ensuring that residents have access to fresh, locally-grown produce. Mo Better Green also hosts farmers markets, providing a platform for local farmers and vendors to sell their products directly to the community. These markets, which take place every Saturday, June 22 to October 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Charles E. Cousins Plaza, not only offer fresh produce but also create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. The organization emphasizes the importance of community involvement and education. They partner with local high 6 DENVER VOICE August 2024 schools and give young people an opportunity to use farming to work, learn, and uplift their community. Recently, I spent a few hours at Mo Betta Green’s farmers market in the Five Points neighborhood. Yes, it was uncharacteristically hot for Denver, but the fresh beet juice made all the difference for me! On this hot day, in addition to Grant, who remains intimately involved in the organization’s operations, there were recent high school and college graduates who were helping out at the Mo Betta Green tents. Among the folks I spoke to were three sisters Eveline, Yoseline, and Leslie Rivera-Rivera — who aspire to become attorneys — with the specific intent to help their community pro bono. The sisters are involved with Lincoln Hills Cares, an organization that strives to increase equity in accessing outdoor resources. Other young adults I spoke with were J’mari, Clayton, R., Jamaurey, Clayton, S., and their supervisor Trey, who was working and operating the juice bar. They were happy to chat about their contributions to the market. Madison, Dezzy, and
7 Publizr Home