Fort Collins restaurants work to provide food to those without

By Steve Graham

Want a burger made with 60 percent beef and 40 percent bacon? How about four of them, with fries? This family meal only costs $25 for the next two weeks.

Big Al’s Burgers is one of 38 Fort Collins eateries participating in Great Plates of Downtown, a promotion for local restaurants and a fundraiser for the Food Bank for Larimer County. Through March 14, each business is offering a special menu for $25 (or $2.50 for a couple of ice cream joints), and encourages donations to the Food Bank.

The deals range from the burger bags to three-course steak or seafood meals at upscale restaurants such as Sonny Lubick’s Steakhouse and Bistro Nautile.

“I invite everyone to come downtown this year, experience Great Plates, try out new and favorite restaurants, and ask how you can donate to help this outstanding community cause,” said Ty Fulcher of Old Town Restaurant Group.

Great Plates has raised $752,786 for the food bank in the past 15 years.

“Each year we look forward to Great Plates. It’s an opportunity to celebrate all that Old Town Fort Collins has to offer,” said Food Bank for Larimer County CEO Amy Pezzani. “This year has been tough for so many restaurants and it’s a great opportunity for all of us to get out there and support them. At the same time, Great Plates makes it easy to support the Food Bank to ensure the nearly 5,000 new clients who have signed up for our services in the past year have access to food.”

The Food Bank claims it can convert a $1 donation to $5 in food for clients.

Of course, dining out is very different during the pandemic, so Great Plates is also adjusting. The event has traditionally focused on dine-in meals, but has partnered with Nosh Northern Colorado, better known as NoCoNosh.

NoCoNosh is the official delivery service for Great Plates, and is adding an optional donation to the food bank on each purchase.
“We're beyond thrilled about our partnership with Great Plates,” said Nicki Bartolone, director of operations for NoCoNosh.

The company is a locally owned alternative to DoorDash and other delivery companies. It is a partnership of 40 independent restaurants in northern Colorado, who aimed to improve customer service while reducing commission fees.

During Great Plates, the Downtown Development Authority is covering the restaurant commission fees, up to $22,000.