Program Associate – Healthy Food Denver’s Kids – Department of Public Health and Environment

Program Associate – Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids – Department of Public Health and Environment

Posted on May 19, 2026

The Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) ballot initiative increases city of Denver sales and use taxes by an estimated $11 million dollars annually for ten years ) to fund healthy food access and food-based education for Denver’s kids, primarily low-income and under-served. The funding is distributed as grants by DDPHE, with funded projects selected by the HFDK Commission (13 non‑profit, community, and government appointees).

These grants have been provided to non‑profit organizations, public schools in Denver (including Denver Public Schools), and agencies of local government. Since 2020, HFDK has awarded nearly $110 million dollars to 118 organizations.

Specifically, in this role, you will:

• Develop and implement consistent, effective, and accessible public-facing communications activities, in collaboration with the DDPHE Communications Team. Draft press releases, social media posts (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X), and website updates to announce HFDK funding opportunities and publicize new grantees.
• Lead and administer strategic communications efforts, in collaboration with the DDPHE Communications Team—raise public awareness of the program and showcase grantee accomplishments through storytelling and other public relations campaign activities, including project and budget management for public relations (PR) campaigns and events.
• Lead resident-facing community engagement for the program, in collaboration with the Community and Behavioral Health Division and Department-wide Community Engagement leads. Identify and coordinate tabling opportunities and represent HFDK at public events, which may include occasional evening and weekend events.
• Provide education and training to the HFDK Commission (e.g., orientation and onboarding). Develop and maintain strong relationships with Commissioners by guiding membership recruitment, ongoing engagement, and offboarding.
• Administer and advise on the HFDK program, including leading meeting logistics and administrative coordination for the DDPHE Food Team (e.g., note taking, virtual meeting management, venue reservations, catering requests, etc.) for the HFDK Commission (bi-monthly public meetings and committee meetings), HFDK grantee gatherings, and the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council. Implement and oversee creation of agendas and conduct meeting facilitation (current Commission subcommittees include funding, evaluation, technical assistance, and membership).