In Colorado, and I’m sure every else too, farmers’ markets are growing in numbers.  More and more consumers (and that is who really needs to make the change in eating demands) at choosing ‘Local Fresh Food’.  THIS IS AWESOME!  We in America, are in danger.  Think about this.  Where does OUR food come from?  Most is NOT ‘Local’ for sure, and a lot of it is shipped in from other countries.  We NEED ‘Local Food Systems’.

Better yet, grow your own.  Save money, have fun, and live better.  One more little thought.  Most people go to work to earn money to ‘buy’ what they need from others.  Right.  Right.  If the combined taxes, including all of the ‘hidden’ taxes, comes to around 45% (please, if you KNOW the correct amount, leave a comment and tell us) , and the food you and your family produce and consume yourselves is not added to your income (which if it was added, would raise your income level and MORE taxes) and is not taxed itself, so, 1) you would not need as much money to live on, 2) and is worth more then if you just bought it, because you are getting it with tax free dollars, so to speak, your labor, instead of from your income.

Anyway, just food for thought.  This isn’t about money.  It’s about Farmer’s Markets.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Farmers’ markets are sprouting up all over Colorado

It could be the economy or it could be the number of visitors who flock to them, but farmers’ markets are finding renewed popularity with consumers and nearby businesses.

Since 2000, when a mere 30 markets dotted Colorado, the number has almost quadrupled to 110, according to state agriculture officials.

The resurgence was clear on June 6 as nearly 800 people descended on the debut of the market in the Highland community, only to be bested the following weekend with 1,000 visitors, said Kristin Morley, president of Highland United Neighbors Inc., the market sponsor.

The customer flow is not only good for the 30 vendors of food, produce and hand-made items, but for the Highland businesses around the market too.

“We have the ability to cross-promote (markets) with the restaurants and shops here,” Morley said of the Saturday marketplace on the 1500 block of Boulder Street. “We’ve got a lot of local businesses that are sponsoring the farmers’ markets, and people that have never come to the Highlands before are now coming.”

Farmers’ market customers seem to trust a product they purchase directly from the farmer who produced it, according to Loredana Ottoborgo, a vendor and market organizer for the Belmar, Evergreen and Frisco farmers’ markets.

“People know that there’s better nutrition in locally grown produce,” said Ottoborgo, a cheese and pesto vendor for 16 years. “I’ve had such great response from customers that are happy supporting someone from their community.”

And, Ottoborgo said she relies on customer feedback about the ingredients in her weekly batches of pesto.

The farmers’ market at Belmar seems to be weathering the economy just fine, said Brittany Maynor, assistant marketing manager of the shopping district there.

Alaska Drive at Belmar was purposely made wider than other streets in the community, with additional electrical outlets to accommodate events such as farmers’ markets, she said.

It’s helped, too. Maynor estimates customer traffic at the Belmar market has jumped 50 percent since 2005, up to about 1,000 people each weekend.

Customers shop at the farmers’ market at Northfield Stapleton mall. The increasing flow of people is not only good for food vendors but also helps the businesses nearby. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post) customer traffic at the Belmar market has jumped 50 percent since 2005, up to about 1,000 people each weeken

“In general, people like to attend them even if they don’t have the intention of spending a lot of money,” she said. “But with customer traffic comes those who are willing to spend money too.”

Tim Larsen, senior international marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, said the Boulder farmers’ market easily racks up a million dollars in sales each year.

“Farmers are finding it’s a better way to capture the consumer dollar,” he said.

Sara Castellanos: 303-954-1381 or scastellanos@denverpost.com

_______________________________________________________________________________________

We are thinking of making a listing by state and county, of all the farmer’s markets. To make is easier for people to find one in their locations.  It would also help to promote yours if you are involved with one.  Let us know, by leaving a comment, whether or not you would like this.

If you are a farmer involved with CSA’s or on farm sales, we would include you to.

Thomas John Fisher

Several organizations are building local communities, providing training and guidance to youth and young adults, working toward increasing awareness about the need for Sustainable Local Food Systems.

I’m sure there are more groups like these two:

• Real Food Challenge
• The Food Project

but I just learned today about them, and want to let you know about them.  Please go check them out.  They are providing very good models of what can be done with and by youth and young adults.

If you are aware of other groups like these, PLEASE let us know, leave a comment below and tell us.

Go to YouTube and enter the names of both of those groups and see what they are up to.  I think you too will be inspired.

There is also a local group here in Whatcom County, Washington, called “Transition Whatcom“, which I just joined.  I will be suggesting that one of the things on their agenda is to work on uniting as many local groups and work together, there is strength in numbers, to work on local food projects.  Ones that have come to my mind are, community gardens, with youth asked to join in and learn while they’re providing good food for those in need.  Also, getting local food into the schools and nursing home, and anywhere else possible.

This idea I challenge you with, to get this type of thing started in YOUR local community.  Contact these groups and ask them where you can start, or us.  We’ll see what we can do to help also.

Can you imagine what could be possible if we were to start local groups in all 3300 counties in the US?

I have a question for you.  When you look around your community, and see all the areas that have landscaping, how much of that area, both private and public (Parks, Schools, Buildings, etc) have edible landscaping???  Not much is there, with the exception of some homes.  Why not, promote making a change to this?

Leave me your thoughts.  This idea is one I will be encouraging.

Tell your thoughts.

Tom

Most of us, well, at least myself, normally think about having land in the rural countryside, when we think about becoming more self-sufficient and sustainable.  This family that I’d like to report about, only have about 1/5th of an acre!  Live in a big city.  They have been doing this for quite awhile.  I only recently learned about them.

I think you will be inspired by them, just like I have been.  Enjoy these videos about what they ARE DOING!

The Dervaes are living the green life in Pasadena, Calif.

Living a Path to Freedom – uprisingradio.org

In Pasadena, the Dervaes family has transformed their residential lot into an urban homestead on which they generate more than half of their own food by literally growing it themselves, and 70% of their own energy via solar panels on their garage … And indeed tens of thousands have already been inspired by the food and energy independence such a life style offers. But, it’s not easy – as I found out yesterday when I spent the afternoon with Jules Dervaes and his family, …

http://www.pathtofreedom.com/

Grow your own food, make your own fuel

Off-grid has been covering the Dervaes family’s eco lifestyle in Pasadena for years. Now the family is becoming famous – they are California’s leading off-grid ambassadors. … Anais Dervaes says her family has been living green way before green was in. Their home is paid for and they live on about $25000 a year. What they don’t sell, they eat. “Anything that can be cooked in a normal oven can be cooked in a solar oven,” says Anais. “And here we have some homegrown …