From Field to Fork: FARE Idaho Grows a Lifeline for Idaho’s Independent Food and Beverage Companies PHOTO COURTESY JD’S BODEGA
Josh Davis, owner of JD’s Bodega, was an early advocate of FARE Idaho. BY: SAMANTHA STETZER
What if there was a way for Idaho’s independent food and beverage businesses to create meaningful networks of support, advocacy, and connection — an opportunity to have a seat at the proverbial table while simultaneously providing the menu for it? As of March 2020, that’s the mission of FARE Idaho. Executive Director of FARE Idaho, Katie Baker, explains that the advocacy and support group is a 501(C)(6) organization born out of the pandemic. “We realized that we had to turn a moment into a movement and just not let the pandemic or crisis go to waste,” Baker says. “We created FARE to advocate on behalf of independent food and beverage businesses.” Its mission is mirrored in the name. FARE means “food, agriculture, restaurant,
and beverage establishments. Members pay a fee to join and in return, they receive major support. FARE has done everything from partnering with independent food and beverage companies across Idaho and creating opportunities for local sourcing within restaurants and stores, to lobbying
Bodega in downtown Boise, joined FARE at the group’s inception, and he’s been integral in looping in other members, including Spacebar Arcade co-owners Will Hay and Zack Rowland. As a local, small business owner in Boise, Davis says he sees a proactive connection between FARE and the local economy, ensuring that consumers, producers, and sellers can support each other. “We just needed a place where we could find information and share resources,” Davis says. “They were looking specifically after the independents, and it seemed like a natural fit to get involved.” Davis admits that JD’s Bodega is slightly out of the scope of FARE, but that’s the beauty of the network. As a retailer, Davis explains that FARE has helped partner the bodega with local producers to procure local products for the store.
“...our goal was to create a more resilient food system here in Idaho, and connect our retailers with our producers.” for grant money and liquor license fairness, even hiring a lobbyist. Among its recent accomplishments, FARE partnered with insurance agents to provide health insurance options for restaurant employees. As it has grown, membership has expanded, too. Josh Davis, owner of JD’s
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