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.