Our mission is to improve food justice and health equity in communities facing food apartheid in the Denver Metro area.
We envision a future where our communities are egalitarian, thriving, empowered, interconnected and creating prosperity through local food and political advocacy.
Our strategy focuses on continuously improving food security through making culturally relevant food accessible and building community wealth.
At Kaizen, we prioritize community engagement as the cornerstone of our mission to foster food justice and health equity. Our innovative approach integrates cultural heritage and community diaspora, ensuring that diverse perspectives shape our strategies in food, agriculture, and health. We understand that traditional food assistance models may overlook cultural nuances and dignity. Thus, we are dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity to establish an equitable food system for all.
To address food access disparities, we embrace a collaborative ideation process that empowers community members affected by food insecurity. By centering impacted voices and facilitating open dialogue, we co-create programs that are truly reflective of community needs. Our inclusive and culturally sensitive approach aims to cultivate a fairer and more just food system.
Guided by the Kaizen method, we adhere to ten principles:
Continuously improve everything.
Challenge outdated concepts.
Take decisive action without excuses.
Reject complacency and embrace innovative solutions.
Rectify issues promptly.
Empower everyone to contribute to problem-solving.
Gather diverse perspectives.
Employ the 5 Why Method to uncover root causes.
Prioritize cost-effectiveness and reinvest savings into further improvements.
Embrace an ethos of limitless improvement.
With these principles at our core, we remain committed to driving positive change and advancing food justice in the communities we serve.
Our vision statement delineates a future guided by fundamental principles:
Egalitarianism: This envisions a society where every individual enjoys equitable treatment and opportunities, irrespective of their background or circumstances.
Thriving: Our communities transcend mere survival; they flourish, boasting vibrant economies, rich cultural landscapes, and robust social networks.
Empowerment: Individuals within these communities are empowered to steer their own paths, whether through educational pursuits, economic avenues, or access to vital resources and support systems.
Interconnectedness: This underscores a deep sense of community and collaboration, where individuals and groups unite in pursuit of shared objectives and extend mutual aid in times of adversity.
Creating Prosperity through Local Food and Political Advocacy: This entails a commitment to sustainability, self-reliance, and social equity. Through the prioritization of local food systems and active engagement in political advocacy, our communities strive to foster prosperity for present and future generations, as well as for society at large.
In essence, our vision portrays inclusive, sustainable, and socially conscious communities wherein everyone is empowered to thrive and contribute to a brighter collective future.
Fresh food access collaboration with Re:Vision Co-op, Lifespan Local, USDA, and Food Bank of the Rockies during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. We provided over 500 families with healthy food options weekly at this location alone.
Our Core Values
Participatory Governance: We believe in inclusive decision-making processes that involve those directly impacted by our organization. Structures that empower individuals with firsthand experience of issues not only uphold personal sovereignty but also prove more effective in achieving collective goals.
Radical Inclusivity: We are committed to fostering a space where everyone, regardless of nationality, religion, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or any other aspect of their identity, feels a sense of belonging. Acknowledging the systemic biases that shape our world, we actively elevate marginalized voices, cultures, and experiences.
Power With, Not Power Over: Our aim is to empower individuals to fully express their agency while fostering mutual support and collaboration. We reject relationships built on control or coercion and strive to create environments where everyone's empowerment contributes to the collective advancement.
Accountable Solidarity: Our liberation is intertwined with that of many communities, and we prioritize building relationships that uplift all individuals. We actively work to ensure that our actions do not perpetuate systemic oppression, particularly by centering the needs of marginalized groups such as women, people of color, indigenous peoples, and those with disabilities. We embrace ongoing solidarity practices and remain receptive to feedback from the communities we serve.