2014 Bounty, Local Farm and Food Guide

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM

GUIDE . 2014 .

CELEBRATE

THE season!

NOCO FOOD

cluster

FARMS, MARKETS AND stands

KIDS’ FARM

bingo

NEXT GENERATION

locavores

FARM STAND

OPEN Tuesday-Friday

10:00am-6pm

FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE

PICK-YOUR-OWN

STRAWBERRIES —OPEN AUGUST & SEPTEMBER—

gardensweet.com

719 West Willox Lane • Fort Collins, CO

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LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOOD CLUSTER LAYS STRONG FOUNDATION

SEEDS, SOIL, WATER, SUN... DINNER!

NoCo group growing demand. . . . . . . . . 4

WHY BUY LOCAL?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CALENDAR OF EVENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 GUIDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 FARM STANDS/MARKETS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 KEYS TO FUTURE FOR FARM/FOOD ENTERPRISES

Local Food Shift weighs in. . . . . . . . . . . 10

LOCAL FOOD GETS FORTIFIED

FC on the farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LOCAVORES

Future Friday and The Food School. . . 12

KIDS’ FARM BINGO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 FROM FARM TO (EVERY) TABLE

Dealing with the issue of access. . . . . . 14 Bounty Local Food and Farm Guide 2014 is a special publication of Fortified Collaborations and Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publisher: Scott Titterington; Editor: Helen Taylor; Contributing Editors: Kristina Cash; Kimberlee Ruben; Creative Director: Emily Zaynard; Copyright 2014 Fortified Collaborations, Fort Collins, CO. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION of Bounty Local Food and Farm Guide! Our goal in creating this resource is to make it easier for you find and enjoy locally produced food. Within these pages, you’ll find a complete listing of local farms, food producers, farmers markets and farm stands, as well as a calendar of upcoming community harvest events. We’ve also included several brief articles about some of the local food-related programs, projects and events taking place in our community.

These efforts and the remarkable people behind them represent a sustained and growing interest in a local food system that works to improve access to nutritious, locally grown and produced food regardless of age, income or location. As a community, we get it. We understand that when we choose to eat local and support our local producers with our dollars, we strengthen our local economy, eat better, and benefit the environment.

Northern Colorado is fortunate to have a number of thriving, local farms—more than 70 in Larimer and Weld counties—many local producers, and a growing distribution network through the many markets and our homegrown LoCo Food Distribution. Many of our restaurants and food trucks make it a priority to source locally produced food. Many of our schools have school gardens, and our kids have access to programs designed to teach them about local farming. Groups such as The Growing Project, Feeding the Families and Sproutin’ Up are working to address the issue of access. And the Northern Colorado Food Cluster is organizing to help promote and increase demand for local food throughout the region.

At Fortified Collaborations our role is to raise awareness and help promote this diverse group of farms, businesses and organizations that comprise an increasingly vibrant and resilient local food scene. We hope you’ll take a little time to learn more about local food in Northern Colorado and keep this guide as a resource to use throughout the harvest season.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped us put this publication together in record time, including Rocky Mountain Publishing, Farming Fort Collins, the Northern Colorado Food Cluster, The Food School, Local Food Shift and all of our generous advertisers.

Fortified Collaborations

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FOOD CLUSTER LAYS STRONG FOUNDATION WE ARE THE Northern Colorado Food Cluster (NCFC): gardeners, farmers, educators, economic health professionals, brewers, business people, researchers, bakers, public health advocates, ranchers, planners, distributors and supportive citizens on a mission to create a healthy community through a resilient, local food system by supporting and promoting consumption, production and distribution of local food.

To this end, the Food Cluster serves as a primary communication hub, enabling and convening projects and influencing policies relevant to the economic development of our region’s food system.

We encourage you to invest in our region’s food system by buying food from local farmers at markets, stands, and community supported agriculture, as well as retail shops and restaurants that showcase and commit to sourcing local food.

Also, after eight months of grassroots community meetings and strategic planning, NCFC is poised to obtain its 501(c)3 status in this Fall and will be seeking continued community engagement.

The Food Cluster remains dedicated to our shared values of honoring each other, remaining open to all community

KEEP VALUE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Buying local is about more than how we spend our dollars: It’s about supporting what we value in our community, like fair pay, sustainable agriculture, healthy food, and strong local economies.

BUILD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Buying local supports a diversit y of innovative and interdependent businesses that make it possible for communities to both sur vive and thrive in good times and bad.

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES

Purchasing products made or grown by our

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LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

voices and being inclusive of all groups.

We look forward to your help growing our community through local food!

YOU CAN HELP! Visit www.nocofoodcluster.com/ to learn more, connect via social media, and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Join one of our community-driven committees and lend your expertise to this innovative initiative.

neighbors builds relationships that strengthen the economy while creating opportunities for greater civic engagement.

CREATE THE FOOD SYSTEM WE WANT

When we buy local, we exercise our power to change the food system to one that is more transparent and better supports our farms, workers, environment, and the entire community.

CELEBRATE OUR CHARACTER AND HERITAGE

Buying local ensures that our farms and local businesses remain vibrant and productive and contribute to preserving our scenic landscape and unique culture.

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

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CALENDAR of EVENTS EVERY WEDNESDAY IN AUGUST

Farmer in the Jax Kitchen Jax is inviting local farmers to cook a three farm fresh course dinner with their chefs.

Cost is $35 per person ($25 for that farm’s CSA members). Call 970.682.2275 for reservations. August 13 - Revive Gardens, August 20 - Jodar and Lakeridge Farms, August 27 - Native Hill Farm.

AUGUST 22

Bison BBQ: A Farm to Table Feast on the Grasslands From 6:00 to 8:00 pm AL Fresco dining with notable chefs coming together to create and to delight in local, sustainable food, all ingredients being sourced from around Colorado. Chefs of the evening include Elise Wiggins from Panzanos Restaurant, and chefs from Cafe Bar, Linger and Root Down. Wine will be provided by Balistreri Vineyards. Tickets: $110/non-member or $95/member. To RSVP for this fundraising event please contact Sara Armstrong at 303-693-3621 Ext 104 or by email at SArmstrong@PlainsCenter.orgPlease contact Melanie at 303-693-3621 or mzeitler@ plainscenter.org for further details on corporate table sponsorships and benefits.

AUGUST 23

Agri-CULTURE Fest and Feast From 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the 8th Street Plaza in Greeley. The lucky bearer of this ticket will dine “under the stars” on locally sourced cuisine as the Greeley Creative District celebrates the CULTURE of our strong local agri-CULTURE roots. This dinner will bring locally sourced foods and professional chefs together to create this unique celebration of our heritage and the culinary arts. Tickets are $50 at www.greeleyunexpected.com/ events/agriculture-fest-feast or Contact Alison at the DDA office. (970) 356-6775 alison@greeleydowntown.com

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS STARTING AUGUST 26

Year-round Farm School 2014 - Laughing Buck Farm is hosting a year round farm school with breaks for holidays and school vacations. Cost is $20 per three hour class, with a $10 sibling discount. RSVP required. (email laughingbuckfarm@gmail. com). Tuesdays classes are smaller and geared toward older kids, ages 3 and up. Fridays are for the younger kids (infants with parents up to age 7, ages 3 and up ok to attend without parent). Snacks provided, kids should bring their own packed lunch. Weather-appropriate clothing necessary.

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LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

AUGUST 27, SEPTEMBER 3, SEPTEMBER 17

Lyons Farmette: August 27, 2014 - Spice of Life Farm Dinner September 3, 2014 - {Eat}Catering Farm Dinner September 17, 2014 - Blackbelly Farm Dinner

SEPTEMBER 4

Family Farm Day Starting at 11 am to 1:00 pm Laughing Buck Farm will host a Family Farm Day. On Farm Days, we open up the farm to families. You might hug a chicken, milk a goat, swing in the hay barn, jump into a drum circle, or just lie in the orchard and listen to the bees buzzing in the apple trees. Admission is just a buck!

SEPTEMBER 19

Future Friday Fortified Collaborations and PSD are partnering to present Future Friday, a day dedicated to Sustainability topics and concepts for all students from Fort Collins area schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Future Friday will offer the pairing of local farmers, chefs and sustainability experts with classes for handson activities and tastings, as well as provide field trip opportunities for several elementary schools to visit regional farms. Gardening activities food and wellness themed curriculum will be presented throughout the week. The PSD Child Nutrition Department (CNS) will feature a variety of seasonal local and organic produce items on salad and fresh bars in all cafeterias and will offer ‘scratch-cooked’ entrees with local produce throughout the week and on Future Friday as well.

SEPTEMBER 20-21

15th Annual Sustainable Living Fair The Sustainable Living Fair offers a weekend of solution-based, interactive, family oriented events designed to educate. The Fair features 11,000 attendees, acclaimed Keynote Speakers, 200 exhibitors, 75 workshops, hands-on experiences, Family Planet with a Natural Parenting Nook, Natural Health and Yoga Tent, live music and entertainment, our Real Food Market and Local Libations – featuring world class beer, wine, cider and mead. The Sustainable Living Fair is an energetic, solutions based approach to building and enhancing community and our connections to a vibrant, healthy future. At Legacy Park, 300 Woodlawn Drive in the Heart of Fort Collins, alongside the Cache la Poudre River. Tickets at the entrance.

More info: http://sustainablelivingassociation.org/ the-sustainable-living-fair/

SEPTEMBER 28

Lyons Farmette Benefit Dinners Art on the Farm, annual art show for BCAA and LAHC

SEPTEMBER 12

Feeding the Families Farm Dinner at Happy Heart Farm, 2820 W Elizabeth Street, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Seasonal menu by Chef Ricky Myers, produce from Happy Heart Farm and beer pairings by Odell Brewing. 5pm passed appetizers and farm tour, 6pm dinner. Live music by Clark Street Music Club. All proceeds go to Friends of Happy Heart Farm Feeding the Families. Tickets are $80 per person and you can buy tickets at Jax Fish House, Odell Brewing or www. happyheartfriends.org

SEPTEMBER 13,

Farm Dinner at Grant Farms, Details TBD.

SEPTEMBER 27

Harvestival Dinner at Grant Farms.

OCTOBER 4

Heart of the Farm Festival This fundraiser benefits Friends of Happy Heart Farm’s Feeding the Families Program.

Avogadro’s Number - 605 S. Mason, Fort Collins. Tickets are now available online: presale for $10/individual, $12/couple and $20/family. The day of tickets will also be at the door for $12/single, $16/couple and $25/family for more information or to purchase tickets please visit: www. happyheartfriends.org

OCTOBER 11

Farm Dinner at Grant Farms, Details TBD.

OCTOBER 18

The Third Annual Bounty and Brews Dinner to benefit The Growing Project.

This year’s event features a gourmet meal prepared by eight local chefs in collaboration with eight local brewers. The event will be held at Jordan’s Floral, 100 N Taft Hill Road. Tickets at www.fortifiedcollaborations.com

OCTOBER 28

5 Chefs 5 Farms 5 Chefs 5 Farms at Jax Fish House Fort Collins is back and better than ever!

Garden to Fork 2014 Presented in partnership with University of Colorado Health, this Garden to Fork series will highlight the process of harvesting fresh produce grown in the Garden of Eatin’ at the Gardens on Spring Creek and transforming the ingredients into a healthy, delicious culinary dish. Every Thursday, July 31-Sept.

18, 6-8 p.m., $25.

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Amy and Ellen’s Bellvue grass fed/grass finished beef - whole, 1/2, 1/4 Back of Beyond Farm Rist Canyon various locally grown teas Barnyard Buddies Fainting Goat Ranch Loveland goats Bartels Land and Livestock Fort Collins vegetables, pick your own Bayberry Fresh Fort Collins CSA, vegetables Bee Family Centinnial Farm Fort Collins Vegetables, grains Bee Squared Apiary Berthoud honey Blue Barrel Farm Fort Collins CSA Blue Mountain Bison Lyons buffalo Blue Sky Natural Angus Beef Windsor beef Boulder Valley Poultry Roggen poultry

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LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

MULTIPLE ITEMS

MUSHROOMS

MEAT

VEGETABLES

HONEY

FLOWERS

listings

POULTRY

FARM

Bracewell Produce Greeley vegetables

Cozy Cow Dairy Windsor milk, cheese

Fair Eliza’s Flowers Fort Collins cut flowers

Happy Heart Farm Fort Collins CSA, vegetables

C&R Farms Grand Mesa tree fruit

Craig Angus Ranch Fort Collins beef, pork

Fiddletown Bakery Fort Collins CSA, bread

Carrie’s Clucks Windsor poultry, eggs

Cresset Farm Fort Collins CSA, beef, pork, poultry, eggs, honey, milk, goats, sheep, cheese, food products, vegetables, grains, farm education

Fossil Creek Farms Fort Collins CSA, honey, vegetables, Grains

Harvest Farm Wellington CSA, vegetable, pouldtry, beef

Cave Girl Eats and Treats Fort Collins gluten-free bread, food products Cheyenne Honey Cheyenne, WY honey Clarks Honey Evans honey

Croft Family Farm Kersey beef, pigs, cut flowers, honey, mushrooms, food products, tree fruit, vegetables

Colby’s Fort Collins cut flowers

Donoma Farms Carr CSA, beef, poultry, eggs, milk, goats, vegetables

Colorado Honey Co Fort Collins honey

Dottie’s Garden Berthoud beef

ColoState CSA Fort Collins CSA, vegetables

Eagle Tree Mushrooms Kersey mushrooms

Copia Community Farms Rist Canyon cut flowers, food products, tree fruit, berries, vegetables

Ela Family Farms Hotchkiss CSA, food products, tree fruit

Copoco’s Honey Fort Collins honey

Ewe Bet Ranch Loveland lamb

Hazel Dell Mushrooms Fort Collins mushrooms

Friendly Critters Farm Fort Collins organic chicken

Heritage Lavender Berthoud cut flowers

Gaia’s Farm and Gardens LaPorte CSA, bread vegetables, poultry, eggs

Homestead Ranch Fort Collins CSA, goats, dairy

Garden Sweet Fort Collins CSA, eggs, cut flowers, food products, berries, vegetables Grant Farm CSA Wellington CSA, poultry, eggs, food products, vegetables, goats, mushrooms, bread Grassmere Farm Fort Collins CSA, eggs, vegetables Green Dog Farm Fort Collins CSA, vegetables Golden West Farms Roggen beef, vegetables

Hope Farms Fort Collins CSA, cut flowers, Vegetables Integrity Farm Loveland CSA, vegetables Jodar Farms Fort Collins CSA, pigs, poultry, eggs, sheep KM2 Farms Fort Collins vegetables L/R Lamm Ranch Wellington beef Lakeridge Farm Fort Collins CSA, cut flowers, berries, vegetables

LaVida Greens Fort Collins fruit, berries, vegetables, cut flowers Leffler Family Farm Eaton CSA, vegetables, cut flowers Leroux Cattle Co Windsor beef Lindenmeier Farm Fort Collins CSA, vegetables Living Water Ranch Livermore grass fed/ grass finished beef, buffalo and lamb Long Shadow Farm Berthoud CSA, poultry, sheep, eggs, food products Lukens Farm Carr pork, poultry, goats, bees Lyons Farmette Lyons CSA, vegetables, eggs, cut flowers Masonville Orchards Masonville tree fruit

NoCo Canning Co. in partnership with Lakeridge Farms.

Fort Collins food products Ole’ Dern Farm Fort Collins CSA, beef, pigs, poultry, food products, sheep, vegetables On the Vine at Richmond Farms Fort Collins CSA, vegetables, cut flowers

Sunray Natural Fort Collins CSA, poultry, eggs

FARMSTANDS Donoma Farms At the farm 10018 WCR 110, Carr, C0 80612 Garden Sweet Check the website for hours each month. As the season grows longer the hours increase. The stand is located at 719 W. Willox Street.

Native Hill Farm -A self-serve stand located at 2100 County Road 54G (The corner of Taft Hill and 287 on your way to Laporte). Signs will be out and the doors will be open if the stand is open.

Papa Joe’s Raw Honey Loveland honey

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch/ Grass Fed Beef Co. Loveland beef

FoCo F.R.E.S.H. Farm - This stand is open daily from dawn to dusk and is self-serve. They also have amazing gluten free goodies available by Cave Girl Eats and Treats. Located at 2225 W. Vine Drive.

Quatrix Aquaponics Laporte tilapia fish, vegetables

Taft Hill Dairy Wellington CSA, dairy, beef

Hope Farms - The stand is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 3 – 5pm. They are located at 1601 N. Shields.

Rabbit Creek Emu Ranch Livermore emu meat, oil and eggs

The Farm at Sunrise Ranch Loveland grass fed beef available in packages or individual cuts

Raindrop Permaculture Retreat Bellvue CSA, vegetables, poultry, honey, food products, tree fruit Raspberry Hill Wellington cut flowers, fresh ginger, artichokes Red Dog Expressions & Lavender Farm Fort Collins cut flowers, honey

Meadowmaid Yoder, WY CSA, beef, food products, vegetables

Reliable Big Game Processing & Sausage Co Fort Collins beef, buffalo

Miller Farms Platteville CSA, eggs, vegetables

Revive Gardens Fort Collins CSA, eggs, vegetables

Monroe Organic Farm Kersey CSA, beef, pork, eggs

Rock Ridge Ranch Loveland beef

Morning Fresh Bellvue milk, cheese

Rock Soup Ranch Wellington CSA,Chicken and duck eggs, rabbit and duck shares, beef, goat and rabbits

Native Hill Farm Fort Collins CSA, vegetables

Spring Kite Farm Fort Collins CSA, vegetables, pork, eggs, poultry, cut flowers

Sunspot Urban Farm Fort Collins CSA, vegetables

Meadowlark Ranch Nunn beef

Morton Organic Orchards Palisade tree fruit: organic peaches, cherries, apricots and nectarines

Shire CSA Fort Collins CSA, vegetables

Sauer Family Beef Johnstown beef ScareCrow Garden Fort Collins vegetables

The Flour Bin Fort Collins bread The Grass Fed Beef Company/Heart J Loveland beef The Lazy P Ranch Pierce beef The Old Fence Farm Berthoud lamb Tigges Farm Greeley vegetables Vital Cultured Foods Fort Collins food products Westbridge Farms Fort Collins vegetables, microgreens, baby greens, basil, herbs Windsor Dairy Windsor CSA, cow shares, cheese, pork Wolf Moon Farms Fort Collins vegetables, cut flowers

Jodar Farms - Sundays from 1 – 3pm you can pick up eggs, chicken and pork. The farm is located at 5100 E County Road 48.

On the Vine at Richmond - Located at 3611 Richmond Drive, look for the roadsign sign to see if the stand is open.

Revive Gardens - This Loveland farmstand is open Tuesdays fom 4 – 7pm and is located at 1413 W 57th.

Croft Family Farm - A new farm stand location is at Centerplace of Greeley (north of T.J. Maxx on Centerplace Drive). Monday through Friday from 1 - 6pm, Saturdays 10am - 6pm, June through October.

Spring Kite Farm- Saturdays 9-12:30, 2917 Soth Taft Hill Rd.

FARMERS MARKETS Drake Road Farmers Market Saturday, April 19th from 10am to 2pm, located in the parking lot on the northwest corner of W. Drake and Worthington.

CAMC Fort Collins Famer’s Market Sunday May 4, 11am to 3pm and Wednesday June 11, 11am to 3pm, located on Harmony Road and Lemay in the Ace Hardware parking lot.

CAMC Loveland Farmers Market Tuesday May 6, 11am to 3pm, located on HWY 287 in the Hobby Lobby parking lot.

The Farmers Market at Jordan’s Floral Gardens Sunday’s 10am to 2pm. Located at 900 Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins (just north of the roundabout).

Larimer County Farmers Market Saturday May 17th, 8am to noon, located in the parking lot of Larimer County Courthouse on 200 Oak Street in Old Town Fort Collins.

Greeley Farmers Market at the Union Pacific Depot Saturday’s May 17 through October 25th, 7:30am to noon.

Wednesday’s July 9th to September 24th, 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Located at 902 7th Avenue in Greeley.

Northern Colorado Farmers Market Sundays, May, 10am – 2 pm. 3522 West County Rd. 54G, LaPorte (at Me Oh My Pie)

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KEYS TO FUTURE FOR FARM/FOOD ENTERPRISES IF OUR COMMUNITY WANTS fresh, locally-produced food, then we must take thoughtful, bold and innovative steps. Here are two:

1. Assist young entrepreneurs.

In 2013, inspired by Slow Money, community members from Fort Collins launched Living Soil Investments. Together $50,000 was pooled with the intention of offering microloans with patient terms at fair interest rates to local farm/food businesses. Find out more at our Sustainable Living Fair workshop Saturday, September 20. http://livingsoilinvestments.wordpress.com/ Slow Money has catalyzed investments in over 300 small food enterprises totaling over $35 million since mid-2010. — slowmoney.org

2. Preserve access and secure affordable farmland.

We who enjoy the bounty at local farmers markets and CSAs may not realize that many young farmers rent year to year, lacking the security of ownership and the capital needed to pursue it. A new project focuses on securing land tenure for promising urban farmers. Advisors from legal, financial, real estate, academic, conservation and land succession professions are innovating a new recipe for farm ownership, including land held in perpetuity for farming, long-term affordable leases to farmers, and community capital funding.

“We are at a pivotal period in American agriculture with over 70% of U.S. farms set to transition during the next 15 years and over 400 million acres of farmland expected to change hands during this time. The economic future of our nation’s agriculture depends on next generation farmers and ranchers’ ability to access land and agricultural enterprise.”

— Guidestone Farm Land Succession Training 2014

Information provided by Gailmarie Kimmel and Local Food Shift, Northern Colorado Gailmarie@LocalFoodShift.com.

LOCAL FOOD GETS FORTIFIED IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE that Fortified Collaborations is already a year and a half old. We launched this company to help local businesses thrive through purposeful collaboration, creative events and strategic communications. In the past 18 months we’ve had the pleasure of working with dozens of companies and organizations, and every day seems to bring new opportunities to help fortify this community.

Local food is a topic near and dear to our hearts. When we’re not puttering in our own gardens, we’re partnering with others to help build a resilient food system worthy of this place, and this fall we’ve planned a bushel full of events around local farming and local food.

Farm Dinners begin in September.

We’re excited to work with Happy Heart Farm, Colorado’s original CSA farm, to produce a farm dinner there Friday, Sept.

12, featuring a sumptuous five-course meal prepared by Jax Fish House Chef Ricky Meyers and paired with fine craft beer 10 |

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

from Odell and regional wines. There’s something about eating expertly prepared, locally produced food right where it was grown that just makes people happy!

We’re also planning a Local Farm FAC Tour to be held on a Friday afternoon in September. The tour will include visits to four local farms with delicious food and beer served at each. Bike and van transport will be the way to go as we make our stops, chat with the farmers and enjoy the flavors of the season.

On October 18th, we’ll host our Third Annual Bounty & Brews Beer Dinner. This year we’re thrilled to hold this signature farm-to-table event at Jordan’s Floral Gardens at 900 N. Taft Hill Road in Fort Collins. Eight local restaurants and eight local breweries will partner to create a dining experience unlike any other. Participating restaurants selected for their commitment to sourcing locally grown food include Ace Gilletts, Café Vino, Canyon Chop House, El Monte, Gravity 1020, Jax

Fish House, Restaurant 415 and The Kitchen. Breweries include 1933, Black Bottle, Fort Collins Brewery, Funkwerks, Horse & Dragon, New Belgium, Odell, and Pateros Creek.

This year Bounty and Brews will once again benefit The Growing Project, a local nonprofit that promotes access to nutritious, locally produced food for all residents of Northern Colorado, through direct agricultural experiences, education and advocacy.

“Not only does The Growing Project grow food, but we grow community around food,” says TGP Executive Director Dana Guber. “We couldn’t do this without the amazing support of organizations like Fortified Collaborations and meaningful events like Bounty and Brews.”

By supporting our local farmers and food producers, we strengthen our local economy, build community, create jobs, provide our families with healthy and delicious food, and help sustain this place. So please visit www.fortifiedcollaborations.com for more information about these events and plan to join us for a celebration of the season.

NOCO FOOD CLUS TER PRESENTS

8, 15, 22

NOV

6, 13, 20

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

14, 28

7, 28

10, 24 11

—CSA FAIR: TBD—

VISIT NOCOFOODCLUSTER.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

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CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LOCAVORES ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, and throughout the week leading up, dozens of Poudre School District students will board buses and head to local farms for a day of exploration and learning. They’ll get to talk with the farmers, tour the farms, check out the animals, and learn more about how food is grown and harvested.

Future Friday, held the Friday before the Sustainable Living Fair for six years now, is a day dedicated to teaching about sustainability, particularly as it relates to food. For students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the opportunity to combine field trips with classroom activities around local food promotes healthy eating, gives them a better understanding of where their food comes from, and helps them forge a stronger relationship with their community.

“We believe that kids who grow up feeling connected to the source of their food will naturally have a desire to eat well and support their neighborhood 12 |

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farmers,” says Future Friday originator, Kristina Cash. “Kids who grow food in school gardens, eat local produce in the school cafeteria and hang out with real farmers are going to have a better understanding of what it takes to put food on the table and why where it comes from matters.”

WHAT IS FOOD SCHOOL?

The Food School is a start-up nonprofit offering agricultural experience and food education for kids and adults. Food School staff visit local classrooms to engage, educate and empower students in the Poudre School District in ways that provide them with essential life skills, connect them to place and help them understand how food choices affect their health, the environment and their communities.

The Food School also connects individual PSD classrooms with local farmers and gardeners within walking and biking distance. Classes make multiple visits to

the farms during an eight-week period for a meaningful experience that improves learning and builds stronger connections with local food and the people who grow it. This year the Food School will be partnering with Fortified Collaborations and PSD on Future Friday. For more information about the program, visit www.edibleschoolyard.org.

In conjunction with Future Friday and the PSD School Gardens initiative, Fortified Collaborations, The Kitchen Community, and Poudre School District Wellness have produced a School Gardens Resource Packet to support school gardens within the PSD. Find the SGRP at: www.psdschools.org/webfm/7176

BOUNTY FARMING

BINGO

IN THIS ACTIVITY YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE ACROSS TOWN AND NEAR YOU BY PLAYING BINGO ON THE ROAD!

Step 1: Review your bingo card. Take a few minutes to look at all of the items listed on your bingo card. Ask an adult if you are unclear on any of the items.

Step 2: Find your marker!

Choose a pen, pencil, or stamp to mark your bingo game card.

Step 3: Here’s how to play – the next time you are on a road trip, get out your bingo card.You might have to make copies for more players.

Look for items from the road that are on your card, such as a field of corn or horses in a pasture. When you see them, call them out loudly and mark it. The first person to get 5 spaces in a row (up and down, across, or diagonal) wins.You can even play this by yourself!

Check in the directory to find items listed on your card.

Step 4: Have fun playing bingo and learning about agriculture and your surrounding environment.

FARM

FLOWERS

PIGS

HORSES

CORN FIELD

PUMPKIN PATCH

SOMEONE RIDING A TRACTOR

ORCHARD

LAKE OR POND

TRUCK CARRYING HAY

GOATS OR SHEEP

CHICKENS, TURKEYS, OR DUCKS

RED BARN

FARM STAND

COWS

HAY FIELD

TRUCK MOVING LIVE STOCK

SOMEONE GROWING VEGETABLES

CSA FARM

FARMERS MARKET

AD FOR HEALTHY FOOD/COWS GRAZING

DITCH MOVING WATER FARMERS NEED

VEGETABLE FIELD

HAY OR STRAW BALES ON FIELD

To learn more about farms and agriculture go to www.cressetfarmkids.com and check out their farm education program. Cresset Farm Kids offers classes, camps, field trips and much more for kids. Visit them at the Sustainability Fair in the Family Planet area, September 20-21, 2014

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FROM FARM TO (EVERY) TABLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of The Growing Project, Dana Guber sees clearly the gap between the community’s enthusiasm for local food and its awareness of food justice. “People are coming around to the benefits of locally sourced food, but we haven’t made access a priority,” she says.

The Growing Project is one of several nonprofits in the region working to close that gap. While funding is always the biggest challenge, The Growing Project, itself, is growing. Expanding programs include Urban Foods Outreach, which works with the Fort Collins Housing Authority to place and maintain community gardens in low-income neighborhoods; the Food Finders Program, delivering excess food to several nonprofits providing food to people in need; and the Gar14 |

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

den Time Horticulture Therapy program, working with the CSU Campus Corps to provide mentorship, therapy, and skills training for at-risk youth.

“Healthy food shouldn’t be the domain of the wealthy,” says Guber. “We believe in access for everyone. We also believe in teaching people to provide for themselves—to get outside and take pride in something they’ve created.”

Other nonprofits working to address the issue of access include:

FEEDING THE FAMILIES – Happy Heart

Farm owners Dennis and Bailey Stenson started this program in 2009 and since then have provided more than 100 low-income families and families in need with fresh, healthy produce. The program is funded

through the farm’s nonprofit, Friends of Happy Heart Farm.

FOCO CAFÉ – The first nonprofit restaurant in Fort Collins is open for business daily from 11a.m. to 2p.m., serving fresh and locally sourced lunches to customers regardless of their ability to pay.

SPROUTIN’ UP – This local nonprofit works to improve the health of low-income families by improving access to fresh produce and creating sustainable community gardens that connect families and neighborhoods.

Please help support these amazing organizations and others that do so much on behalf of food justice in our community.

MARKETPLACE Growing locally fresh flowers and plants for over 40 years. We’re bigger than we look!

WWW.JORDANSFG.COM

COMMUNITY THROUGH COFFEE

Fair Trade - Local - Organic Become a Regular!

261 South College Avenue 306 West Laurel Street MugsCoffeeLounge.com

LoCo Food Distribution

Eating Local

Just Got Easier! www.LoCoFoodDistribution.com 970-493-FOOD (3663)

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

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LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE