After nearly a decade without a full-service grocery store, Denver’s Montbello neighborhood is preparing for the long-awaited opening of the Montbello Fresh Food Market. The nonprofit grocer is part of the FreshLo Hub project, at Peoria Street and East Albrook Drive.
The market will occupy 5,200 square feet and will be modeled after Boston’s Daily Table, a nationally recognized nonprofit grocery operator. A mission-driven nonprofit, it will hire local residents and source from Colorado producers whenever possible, offering fresh produce, grocery staples, and made-from-scratch prepared foods at affordable prices, Denver Post writes.
FreshLo Hub, a $97-million community-led development designed to address food insecurity, community resources, and housing affordability, is an initiative led by the Montbello Organizing Committee (MOC). In addition to the upcoming market and Colorado Black Arts Movement / Arts Education Center, it has 97 units of affordable housing that were completed last year.
Project partners include FLO Development Services, Gilmore Construction Corporation, Alliance Construction Solutions, Roybal Corporation, Van Meter Williams Pollack, S.B. Clark Financial Services, WellPower, and the Colorado Black Arts Movement DBA FreshLo/ARTS.
MOC has already raised about 75% of the total $97 million cost through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, government grants, philanthropic contributions, and impact investments, and is currently running a $10 million capital campaign to fund the arts center.
