Vail Resorts & Epic Promise: Powering Community Through Purpose

In Eagle County, our economy and our community are deeply intertwined. The same mountains that draw visitors from around the world also shape the lives of the families who call this place home. That’s why partnerships between local nonprofits and major employers are not just meaningful — they’re essential.

Through its Epic Promise initiative, Vail Resorts has continued to invest in the wellbeing of our community by supporting The Community Market and our expanding Food Recovery Program at Eagle Valley Community Foundation.

Turning a Zero Waste Commitment into Community Impact

Vail Resorts’ commitment to achieving zero waste isn’t just an environmental goal — it’s a community opportunity. As part of that effort, their teams work intentionally to reduce surplus food and redirect safe, high-quality items to neighbors who need them most.

Through collaboration with The Community Market, food that might otherwise go to waste is instead distributed to families across the Eagle River Valley. This partnership reduces environmental impact while strengthening food access for thousands of residents each week.

Food recovery is one of the most powerful intersections of environmental sustainability and economic stability. By rescuing nutritious, prepared and unprepared food from local businesses and hospitality partners, we are:

• Reducing landfill waste
• Lowering methane emissions
• Stretching nonprofit food budgets
• Increasing access to fresh, culturally relevant food
• Supporting working families facing high cost-of-living pressures

This is circular impact in action.

Mutually Dependent, Mutually Invested

Tourism is the backbone of our regional economy. The hospitality workforce — many of whom are clients of The Community Market — make the guest experience possible. When families have reliable access to healthy food, they experience greater stability. That stability strengthens our workforce. A strong workforce strengthens our economy. And a strong economy sustains our community.

We are mutually dependent — and mutually invested — in each other’s success.

Vail Resorts understands that thriving mountain communities require more than beautiful slopes. They require housing stability, food access, healthcare, and opportunity. Their support of Eagle Valley Community Foundation reflects a long-term commitment to the people who power this place year-round.

Beyond Financial Support

Epic Promise’s partnership extends beyond funding. It includes employee engagement, volunteerism, and a shared vision for environmental stewardship. When corporate leadership aligns sustainability goals with community needs, the impact multiplies.

Together, we are demonstrating what it looks like when business and nonprofit partners move beyond charity and toward true collaboration.

In a place where natural beauty drives economic vitality, it is only fitting that environmental responsibility and community care go hand in hand. Through Epic Promise and The Community Market’s Food Recovery Program, surplus becomes sustenance, waste becomes opportunity, and partnership becomes progress.

We are grateful to Vail Resorts for standing alongside our community — proving that zero waste can also mean zero neighbors left behind.