Longmont Pizzerias Unite to Combat Food Insecurity with Pizza

Businesses in Longmont, Colorado, are collaborating to address food insecurity through a new initiative called Pizza With Purpose. Three local pizzerias—Antonio’s Real New York Pizza, Rosalee’s Pizzeria, and Urban Field Pizza & Market—have formed this nonprofit to raise funds for families struggling with food access. The initiative officially launches on National Pizza Day, February 5, 2024, and will run until February 15, 2024.

During this period, the Longmont locations of the three pizzerias will donate **$1** from every cheese or pepperoni pizza sold to Slice Out Hunger. This organization works to redistribute food from pizzerias to shelters, schools, and pantries across the United States. Paul Nashak, co-founder of Urban Field, anticipates that the campaign will generate several thousand dollars for this worthy cause.

“This year, I’m just excited because we can do something to help others while we celebrate National Pizza Day,” Nashak said. He explained that the idea for Pizza With Purpose emerged in response to funding cuts to local food assistance programs. Upon approaching his fellow restaurateurs, both Antonio’s and Rosalee’s eagerly agreed to join forces.

Upcoming Colorado Pizza Festival

Looking ahead, Pizza With Purpose plans to host the inaugural Colorado Pizza Festival in September 2024. Scheduled for September 5, the festival will take place near Urban Field, located at 150 Main St. The event will feature pizza-making competitions and aims to raise additional funds for organizations dedicated to hunger relief in Colorado.

Nashak expressed enthusiasm about the festival, especially after the discontinuation of “A Taste of Colorado,” a food festival in Denver that previously took place over Labor Day weekend. “There isn’t a pizza festival of this magnitude in Colorado,” he noted. “I think this has the potential to become anything it wants to be, and I think Longmont’s ready for it.”

Ticket sales for the festival will open on May 1, 2024, with prices ranging from **$10 to $50**. Children will be admitted for free, making it an accessible event for families.

Community Collaboration

The sense of community among the participating pizzerias is palpable. James Ross, co-owner of Rosalee’s Pizzeria, expressed his excitement about the festival and the collaborative spirit of the initiative. “It’s not like ‘every pizzeria or every brewery for themselves,'” Ross said. “We’re all a part of the community.”

The joint efforts of these Longmont pizzerias not only aim to address immediate food insecurity but also foster a sense of partnership and collaboration within the local business landscape. As they work together, the pizzerias are setting an example of how local businesses can unite for a common cause.