The Golden Backpack Program (GBP), founded in 2008 by local chef and Rotarian Peggy Halderman, was created to address food insecurity in Golden, Colorado. Although Golden is known for its affluence, many students in the area rely on federal assistance for school meals, and during weekends and school breaks, they face gaps in access to nutritious food. For over 12 years, the GBP’s Weekend Sack Program helped fill this gap by providing healthy, kid-friendly meals to students and their families.

In 2016, GBP expanded its services with the opening of the Fresh Food Pantry, which offered support to a wider community, including university students, single-parent families, and seniors.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization officially rebranded as BGOLDN in 2020 to broaden its mission. Leveraging strong community partnerships, BGOLDN quickly adapted to increasing food insecurity, while also supporting local businesses and jobs.

Today, BGOLDN runs several key programs:

• The Fresh Food Pantry

• The Home Delivery Program

• The Nourishing Success School Snack Program

• The Fresh Food Access Program

BGOLDN’s programs continue to support the community, providing reliable access to healthy food for those in need while fostering local food systems.