SPROUT A HOLE FOOD RESCUE INITIATIVE TO ENSURE CHILDREN IN TETON

COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD.

HFR’s Sprout Program runs throughout the school year and summer, to provide free lunches and additional food to children possibly experiencing food insecurity. It encompasses three derivatives: Sprout Weekend Food Bags, Middle Market, and Sprout Summer Lunches. Through these child-focused initiatives we hope to relieve the financial burden of rising food costs on families when children are not in school.

2022 SPROUT SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM:

7331 lunches provided to children a 24% increase from 2021

In this 12 week program, free lunches are delivered to any child who may need one through multiple distribution methods:

Volunteers deliver lunches to camps around Jackson for children attending on scholarship.

Sprout Stands are set up in the evening for working families to acquire a lunch for their child the night before.

The Sprout Mobile visits multiple locations Monday through Friday to bring lunches directly to where kids live and play during the day.

Sprout Activity Partners: Friends of Pathways, Grand Teton Music Festival, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum, Jackson Hole Public Art, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, National Museum of Wildlife Art, Slow Food in the Tetons, Teton County Library, Teton County Search & Rescue, Teton Literacy Center, Teton Raptor Center, Teton Youth and Family Services, Vertical Harvest, Wyoming Stargazing

Sprout Food Partners: D.O.G. Burritos, Let Nature Nurture, Pearl Street Bagels, Pinky G’s Pizzeria, Rosa’s Tamales, Slow Food in the Tetons, Yeah Buddy Pizza

MIDDLE MARKET AT JH MIDDLE SCHOOL:

150 visits each week to the Middle Market at JH Middle School

This in-school food pantry is a collaboration between HFR and TCSD#1. It offers fruits and other healthy snacks and easy-to-prepare meals at the end of every school week. Opening this pantry to all students aims to reduce the stigma of accessing free food.

SPROUT WEEKEND FOOD BAGS:

115 families enrolled in Sprout Weekend Food Bags (WFB) a 30% increase from 2021

Through our WFB program, families are able to receive free groceries to ensure their children have enough healthy food to eat over the weekend. Bags consist of fresh fruits and veggies, healthy snacks, and shelf stable items. WFBs can be given discreetly to a child at school, delivered to their home, or picked up at the HFR Hub. In the 2022/2023 school year, 70% of families chose home delivery because of its convenience and accessibility, versus 50% in the previous year. This program has increased 167% since the start of the 2021 school year.

Sponsors of Sprout Weekend Food Bags:

“We love it so much! We appreciate everything from the food to the books and extra activities! My kids look forward to it!”

“We are very grateful for this program. It is an incredible service for the community. Martha and Danielle are lovely too. The program is so appreciated. Thank you!”

-Sprout Families