Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) recently announced it acquired Altius Farms, an urban agricultural enterprise located in the Five Points/Curtis Park neighborhood in Denver. Now known as JFS Altius Farms, the agricultural enterprise uses hydroponic systems and vertical techniques to produce between 600 and 750 pounds of fresh vegetables and herbs at their downtown Denver farm.
"Altius Farms was founded in 2015. It took us a while to get this site in downtown Denver on a rooftop built. We launched in 2018. So for the last five years, we've been growing leafy greens and herbs for restaurants for grocery stores and some direct to consumer," Sally Herbert, Founder of Altius Farms, said. "We use non-GMO seeds. We have about 40 customers in the Denver area."
Linda Foster, President and CEO of JFS, said the partnership will allow JFS and Altius Farms to serve more people. JFS is a 150-year-old nonprofit human service agency with more than 30 plus programs and services, from mental health services to food assistance.
"Before COVID, we were serving 45 households every pantry day. Now we're serving on average between 130 and 150 households every single pantry day," Foster said. Foster said job training is also an important part of the partnership.
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