Building Food Security in Far Southwest Denver
“No family should have to choose between groceries and rent.”
Having enough food on the table should never be a source of worry, yet for too many residents, it is. Trần knows this struggle personally. She still remembers the quiet in her childhood kitchen when food ran low—the kind of silence that feels heavy, filled with both concern and determination. Her parents were refugees who came to this country with almost nothing but hope, working tirelessly to stretch every dollar and make every meal count. Some days groceries were a luxury that didn’t make the cut, and Trần’s family relied on SNAP benefits and local food programs to bridge the gap between going hungry and getting by. Even in those hardest moments, her parents shared what little they had with neighbors in need, teaching her that caring for others is just as vital as caring for yourself. Years later, as Trần and her husband raised their own children, she again felt the pressure of making every grocery trip stretch, relying on local pantries and food assistance to keep her family fed, and remembering firsthand that dignity should not depend on your bank balance.
In District 2, where SNAP participation is among the highest in the city, food insecurity is a daily reality for thousands of families, seniors, and working residents. Many live far from full-service grocery stores, rely on limited transportation, or face barriers that make accessing healthy food difficult. With rising food costs and no end in sight, it is now more important than ever to help our community in Far Southwest Denver. Trần believes ensuring reliable access to nutritious food is a matter of health, stability, and community wellbeing, and that meeting this challenge requires partnership, coordination, and respect for the organizations already leading this work.
The community is home to trusted organizations such as Commún, Kaizen Food Share, and the Southwest Food Coalition, which provide thousands of meals each year and serve as lifelines for residents. Trần will work alongside these partners to connect resources, align priorities, and close gaps so families and seniors do not have to navigate a fragmented system on their own. As part of this effort, she will advocate for a permanent no-cost grocery store in District 2, ensuring residents have a reliable, dignified place to access healthy food year-round.
Trần also recognizes that the City and County of Denver are already investing in food access through Denver Human Services and the food systems team at the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment. These departments play a critical role in administering SNAP, supporting community programs, and strengthening local food systems. As a City Council member, Trần will work to ensure the district is fully connected to these initiatives, advocating for coordination between city departments and neighborhood organizations so support reaches residents quickly, equitably, and efficiently.
At the neighborhood level, this approach means expanding community-based food access options, improving food navigation so residents can use SNAP alongside local pantries and programs effectively, and ensuring access points are welcoming, culturally responsive, and accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. When systems work together, families spend less time worrying about where their next meal will come from and more time focusing on their health, their children, and their future.
Trần’s vision for food access in District 2 is built on partnership, trust, and shared responsibility. By working closely with local organizations, city departments, and residents, Trần will help ensure that every family, senior, and neighbor who needs extra support has consistent access to healthy food—with dignity, stability, and respect.