Food Resources
Resources for Free or Low-Cost Food in the Routt County
Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church
The Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church has a Food Blessing Box that can be accessed 24/7 by anyone in need. It is filled with non-perishable, grab & go snack food. It is located at 736 Oak St. under the awning at the door closest to 7th Street.
970-879-1290
LiftUp of Routt County
Food Banks located in Steamboat Springs and Oak Creek are available to Routt County Residents with an income of 300% or lower of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Residents can shop once per month or twice per month for fresh produce. You may be surprised to learn that you qualify for free food: individual 300% FPL is $3,912.50 per month, and 300% FPL for a family of four is $8,037.50 per month.
The food in the Grab ‘N Go section in each Food Bank is available to anyone who walks in during our open hours.
Rocket Pack Summer Lunch program is available for school-aged children. Please visit one of LiftUp’s Food Bank locations to sign up, or visit liftuprc.org for application and more information.
The hours are as follows:
- Steamboat: 2095 Curve Court 970-870-8804 Monday – Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1st & 3rd Saturday each month 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oak Creek: 227 Dodge Ave. 970-736-1047 Tues 9:30-11:30 a.m., Wed. 1:00-3:00, Thurs. 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Routt County Department of Human Services
Sign up for SNAP benefits! Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides supplemental assistance to help low-income individuals and families purchase food. Benefits are based on household composition, income, and the combined resources of all household members.
We are located at 135 6th St in Steamboat Springs.
SNAP benefits can be used at the Steamboat Farmer’s Market, Between 5th-8th Streets on Yampa Street, June 8th-Sept 21st 9:00 am-2:00 pm
970-870-5280
Northwest Colorado Health
WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)
WIC is a free nutrition program for women, children, and families. Services include nutrition counseling, and supplemental healthy foods. Qualified women receive four nutrition education appointments with a WIC educator per year. Women who participate in the sessions receive eWIC cards to buy wholesome foods. Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who live in Colorado must meet certain income requirements . For more information or to see if your family qualifies, call 970-871-7653.
Sign up for WIC: WIC Family Sign Up – Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (state.co.us)
970-879-1362
Routt County Council on Aging
Eat and Greet!
Join us at one of our three dining sites. The recommended donation for meals is $3.for those 60 and better. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at 970.879.0633 Ext. 4. Lunch is served at noon at the following locations and days.
- Steamboat Springs Community Center: M, T, Th, F
- Oak Creek Community Center: M, W, F
- Hayden at The Haven Community Center: T, Th
970-879-0633
Meals on Wheels
Any senior 60 years and better can receive a hot, delicious meal delivered to their door. The recommended donation for meals is $3 for those 60 and better. Reservations are required one week in advance at 970.879.0633. Frozen meals are also available.
Meals are delivered around noon on the following days.
Steamboat Springs: M, T, Th, F
- Oak Creek: M, W, F
- Hayden: T, Th
- North Routt: Tuesday (frozen meals)
Routt County Extension
Routt County Extension offers educational programming on nutrition, cooking on a budget, food preservation, and more. Upcoming classes include:
- Food preservation classes, including jams and jellies, fruit, and pressure canning meat.
- Dining with Diabetes – 4 week series starting August 19
For more information, contact Katie Maloney at kmaloney@co.routt.co.us.
Stay up to date with upcoming events. Sign up for the quarterly newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/
970-
Tips for Stretching Your Food Dollars
- Frozen fruits and vegetables are often just as healthy as fresh and cost less.
- Plan meals, write a list of the foods that you will need and stick to the list when grocery shopping.
- Get creative with foods you already have in the house, like freezing overripe bananas to use later in banana bread or smoothies.
- Purchase foods that are sold in bulk as they can be cheaper than packaged foods.
- Use coupons, flyers and sales when you shop, and check the clearance section.
- Look at price labels to see the unit price per item and find the lowest unit price per ounce or pound when comparing the same items by different brands.
- Purchase foods that are not brand name.
- Use plant-based proteins like beans or tofu instead of meat, or use half the meat in a recipe and substitute plant-based proteins for the rest.
