Adaptive capacity in emergency food distribution: Pandemic pivots and possibilities for resilient communities in Colorado

The unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed weaknesses in our emergency food distribution programs and also highlighted importance adaptive capacity that is actively fostered within such programs. Community-based faced an increased reliance on their services due to record-breaking insecurity since March 2020. Concurrently, these had deal with logistical chal­lenges operating during a pan­demic. How are they adapting, which existing organizational assets been able draw from and/or strengthen? Based in-depth quali­tative research Boulder Denver, Colorado, this paper analyzes how operational responses crisis both demonstrate rein­force capacities. By drawing collec­tive resources, leveraging efficiency flexible decentralized structures, network­ing across organizations, study took advantage assets. At same time, we argue by overcoming logisti­cal practical barriers address emerging needs, simultaneously deepened capacities respond ongoing future crises.