As the holiday season begins, residents of Summit County are rallying together to address food insecurity through a community-driven initiative led by local entrepreneur Tyler Zipperer. Founder of Biked Goods, Zipperer aims to support families struggling with hunger, a significant issue affecting one in five children in the United States, as highlighted by No Kid Hungry.
Despite its reputation as a ski resort destination, Summit County faces challenges beyond tourism. Many families here encounter food scarcity, prompting Zipperer to leverage his business to foster community welfare. He stated, “I have always tried to use my business as a way to give back to youth organizations that either help get kids out on bikes or help feed kids.” His efforts are particularly timely, given the impact of government funding restrictions on local residents.
In collaboration with Mountain Dweller Coffee Roasters, Zipperer has developed a fundraising campaign to provide meals for children this holiday season. After discussions with Beth Johnson, the coffee shop’s owner, they devised a plan to sell Zipperer’s homemade Morning Shift Granola throughout December. For each bag sold, $5 will be donated to Smart Bellies, a local organization that assembles meal boxes for families.
The campaign aims to raise a total of $1,000. Zipperer explained that every $25 collected will help feed a family, and any donations made to Smart Bellies during December will be matched, maximizing the campaign’s impact. Additionally, customers can support the cause by purchasing yogurt parfaits at Mountain Dweller, with a portion of those sales also directed to Smart Bellies.
Zipperer is not only focused on fundraising; he is also preparing to produce granola for holiday meal boxes in partnership with Team Summit, a local mountain biking team. This year, the initiative will include athletes from The Cycle Effect, marking a new collaboration aimed at strengthening community ties. The granola production event is scheduled for mid-December at Cool River Coffee House in Breckenridge, just before the meal boxes are distributed on December 19, 2023.
To facilitate the production of granola, Zipperer has launched a GoFundMe campaign, seeking to raise $350 for ingredients. This effort underscores his commitment to ensuring that no child in the community faces hunger. “I think about myself personally,” Zipperer reflected, “Being fortunate enough to buy groceries to feed me and my family… To have a kid that faces food insecurity is hard for me to think about.”
As a board member for the National Center of Youth Development, Zipperer advocates for the importance of nutrition in youth development. He believes that when children are well-fed, they are better equipped to learn and grow.
“Knowing the power of food and what it can do to bring people together is why I do this,” Zipperer emphasized. His message resonates deeply within the community, where collaborative efforts are essential. “It takes a village to raise kids in the community,” he stated. “I can’t do this alone, especially in light of SNAP being restricted. We need to change the way we approach issues like these.”
The collaborative spirit of Summit County has been a crucial element in Zipperer’s fundraising efforts. He expressed gratitude for the numerous community partners who have contributed their time and resources.
For those interested in supporting this initiative or learning more about the Morning Shift Granola campaign, further details can be found at BikedGoods.co/shift.
