Food Bank of the Rockies: Modernizing Food Access Through Digital Solutions
How Food Bank of the Rockies partnered with iQpay to create a digital produce prescription program that enhances food security across Colorado.
The challenge
Create an accessible and flexible system to serve participants across multiple counties, accommodating diverse linguistic and cultural needs while providing consistent access to healthy food options.
The solution
Implemented a comprehensive digital purchase card system with iQpay, providing a $35 monthly allowance per participant for fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables, with multilingual support.
The result
Successfully launched a digital transformation that improved accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency in food assistance delivery across five counties in the Denver Metro area.
Background
Food Bank of the Rockies recognized the need to modernize their Food for Health program through a hybrid approach. With a $20,000 initiative, they set out to create a program specifically designed to support food-insecure individuals with diet-related diseases while serving 220 participants through improved accessibility and flexibility via digital solutions.
Challenge
The organization needed to create an accessible and flexible system that could effectively serve participants across multiple counties while accommodating diverse linguistic and cultural needs. They sought a solution that would provide consistent, reliable access to healthy food options while maintaining program integrity and ease of use.
Solution
Through a partnership with iQpay, Food Bank of the Rockies implemented a comprehensive digital purchase card system. The solution provides a $35 monthly allowance per participant, enabling access to fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. The system includes multilingual support with cards available in Spanish, French, Somali, Arabic, and Swahili, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities.
Implementation
The program followed a strategic rollout plan beginning in January. The initial phase focused on the Denver Metro area, covering five counties, with planned expansion to Western Colorado and the Eastern Plains later in the year. The implementation carefully considered geographic constraints, explicitly excluding Wyoming and certain Colorado counties served by Food Bank of the Rockies to ensure focused and effective service delivery.
Results
Under the leadership of Jason Kingsley and Andrea Robinson, the program has successfully launched its digital transformation. The implementation of the digital card system has created a more streamlined and accessible process for both administrators and participants, with particular emphasis on serving multilingual communities and providing flexible food options.
Impact
The digital transformation has enhanced the Food Bank's ability to serve their community through several key improvements. The program has created more consistent and reliable access to healthy food options, improved accessibility through multilingual support, and established a scalable foundation for future expansion. The digital solution has particularly benefited participants by providing flexible purchasing options and regular monthly support.
Organization
Food Bank of the Rockies
Industry
Non-profit
Location
Denver Metro Area, CO (5 counties)
Challenge
Needed to modernize their Food for Health program to improve accessibility and flexibility for participants with diet-related diseases across multiple counties
iQpay products used
- Digital payment cards
- Multilingual support system
- Program administration dashboard
About Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and nourishing hope in Colorado and Wyoming. They work with community partners to distribute food and essentials to those in need, striving to end hunger while promoting health and self-sufficiency.