food for thought

Ways to Eat Local (wherever you are) – Even in the Winter

By Kuvy Ax, ROOT Founder, and Jodie Popma, Boulder County Slow Food Chair

No matter where you are in the U.S., you can deepen your connection to local food this winter, and feel the benefits of knowing where your food comes from and who’s growing, ranching and producing it. Here’s how:

Shop winter markets

The United States Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Directory lists indoor, pop‑up and year‑round markets near you: ams.usda.gov/local‑food‑directories/farmersmarkets


Try a CSA (“Community Supported Agriculture”), where you receive a regular share of a local farm’s harvest

Use USDA’s Local Food Directories to locate CSAs, food hubs or farm‑direct ordering in your region. https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/local-regional/food-directories

Visit your local butcher & consider bulk meat buying

Get to know your neighborhood butcher for advice and ideas, and explore bulk‑buying shares of animals from local ranchers and farms. Here’s an awesome article in The Takeout that gives some ideas for best way to use and communicate with your butcher. The Good Meat Project’s site offers a “Good Meat Finder” to locate shops and farms, a glossary of butcher terminology, etiquette tips, and loads of winter-ready recipes. goodmeatproject.org 

Support local producers & grocers

Seek out locally made bread, cheese, honey, jam, pantry goods and more at independent grocery stores and kitchens near you.

Sip local too

Choose regional wine, cider, beer or craft spirits from your state — you’ll enjoy something unique and support your food‑and‑drink community.

Preserve & store your produce

Learn how to harvest, store, can, pickle and enjoy seasonal produce all winter long. nchfp.uga.edu

And last but definitely not least: stay connected, eat well and support your local farmers, ranchers and producers by joining your local chapter of Slow Food USA. https://slowfoodusa.org/chapters/

Working to grow the local food movement? We can help amplify your story and reach the people who want to support you. Let’s chat.

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You can still eat local even when the farmers markets close! Winter is a great time to connect with your local food community and fill your table with homegrown goodness while supporting the farmers and producers in your backyard. ROOT Founder Kuvy Ax and Boulder County Slow Food Chair Jodie Popma put together these ideas for happy, healthy, heartwarming holidays - and beyond:

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