Upcoming Events

Community Roots, Healthy Food for All: A Panel Discussion on Food Justice

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
7 pm to 9 pm
Mercury Cafe
2199 California Street
Denver Co
$5 donation suggested

Food brings us together. The lack of food destroy the fabric of families and communities. How do we grow healthy food and community that reflects our cultural and family roots? How do we create a community-led sustainable movement toward local food and local economy? Join a discussion on how to create healthy, affordable food for all in the Denver Community. Transition Denver is sponsoring this event and panelists include:

• Adrienna Corrales, Project Coordinator and Community Health Educator for Sisters of Color United for Education.
• Akwe Starnes, an educator at CSU's Extension Program and an elder in our community that shares various reasons to move toward a raw plant based diet, its affects on the earth, its value nutritionally and within this economic climate.
• Ashara Ekundayo, an award-winning producer, curator, media activist, social networking groupie, and the owner of BluBlak Media – a Denver, CO based independent production and consulting company.
• Faatma Mehrmanesh sits on the Board of Directors of the Mile High Business Alliance and plans to change the face of business by opening a community owned and operated cafe in Denver’s own Historic Five Points Neighborhood.
• Marilyn Meginity, proprietor of the colorful Mercury Café and passionate advocate for local foods and community.
• Shannon Francis is the Indigenous Agricultural Instructor/Coordinator at Woodbine Ecology Center located in Sedalia, Colorado.

Intro to Neighborhood Supported Agriculture - Kipp Nash, Community Roots

Monday, March 16, 2009
6 pm to 9 pm
$25.00 Fee
Denver Botanic Gardens, Classroom B
1005 York Street, Denver, CO

Transition Denver is sponsoring this event, designed to present an innovative approach to neighborhood farming that involves the neighbors in the process. Kipp Nash has devoted three years to developing a unique way of bringing the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model to his South Boulder, Colorado neighborhood. Kipp utilizes the available land (often his neighbors' front and back yards) in Martin Acres to raise organically-grown produce, which is then sold to his neighbors in Martin Acres and in Farmer's Markets. Interest in this model of local food production and community development is growing (pun intended) like crazy and Kipp is one of the first to start sharing his project, dreams and ideas with others. To register, please email or call: David Greenwald at degreenwald @gmail.com 303-926-0503

National Ag Week, March 15-20
Colorado Celebrates National Ag Week March 18
1:00 p.m. Press Conference on the west steps of the Capitol in Denver

This month, Americans will celebrate National Ag Day on March 20. National Ag Day is about recognizing the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives and the important role our local ranchers and growers play in the lives of those in our communities and around the globe.

An Educational Evening with Slow Food Denver and the Mujeres de Maiz (Women of the Corn) Project
Monday March 23
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Home of Elayne Gallagher
2001 Lincoln Street (triangle at Welton, 20th and Broadway - 2 1/2 blocks walking from 16th Street Mall)
No charge (Slow Food members and non-members invited!)

Slow Food Denver is sponsoring an open house given by two of its members, Jan Webster and Elayne Gallager, to learn about an exciting project they are working on in Chiapas, Mexico. Elayne is a board member of Starfish, a Colorado organization working with indigenous women in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico. The project is called Mujeres de Maiz (Women of the Corn) and the goals are to raise the production and the consumption of native organic corn and to improve the standard of living, dignity and nutrition standards of these indigenous women, their families and communities. Please RSVP to rsvp@slowfooddenver.org by Wednesday March 18.

3rd Annual Rocky Mountain Compost School
April 14-17, 2009
CSU
Cost: $495

The school is hosted by Colorado State University's Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, and includes four days of classroom and field instruction for large-scale composters highlighting issues of local and national interest. Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units have been designated for participation in Compost School. For specific questions or more information, please contact: Adriane Elliott, (970) 491-6984, adriane.elliott@colostate.edu

Don't Miss This Event Next Tuesday

“Eat Here Now–Growing Food in Denver”
A Panel on the Growth of Urban Agriculture

Come join a few “movers and shakers” in the local food movement, and explore answers to some of the following questions: What is Community Supported Agriculture, and how is it playing out within the city limits? How can we grow more healthy food locally and get it distributed in effective ways? How can we use gardening techniques that are affordable, sustainable and use less resources? And much, much more……..

Panelists include:
Andy Nowak – Slow Food Denver
Ellen Rosenthal – Living Earth Center
Lisa Rogers and Tom Sorenson – Feed Denver
Faatma Mahremanesh – Solarlivity
James Hale – Produce Denver
Debbie Dalrymple - Sense of Colorado
Jim Sincock – Rocky Mountain Grower’s Directory

WHEN: Tuesday, January 13 from 7-9 p.m.
WHERE: At the Mercury Café
2155 California St., Denver
COST: There is a $5 suggested donation.

Sponsored by:
REBUILDING COMMUNITY AND SELF-RELIANCE

Transition Denver is a group of local citizens who have joined the rapidly-growing, worldwide Transition Initiative Movement . Transition Initiatives empower communities from the grassroots level to squarely face the challenges of peak oil, climate change and financial instability and find ways to collectively and drastically reduce carbon emissions, significantly rebuild resilience and strengthen our local economies.

This event is one of a series of Transition Denver events called Transition Fridays. Contact Dana Miller at 303-300-3547 for details, or visit www.transitioncolorado.ning.com for information about this event or about Transition Denver, as well as the other Transition Initiatives springing up in Colorado and other cities around the United States.

Two Great Books to Read in the New Year

OK -- so you’ve received a slew of seed catalogs, ordered your seeds for 2009, and now what? It’s too early to plant -- even if you start seeds indoors. The days are getting longer – and in between bouts of snow and freezing temperatures, we’re seeing sunny, warm, glistening days that tease and tempt us with the prospect of spring.

What’s a gardener to do?

Here are two books that will serve as inspiration while winter plays itself out.

Food Not Lawns, How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden and Your Neighborhood into a Community
by H.C. Flores

Food Not Lawns is a great book to get you through the next few weeks. It’s a bit of a rant, written by activist and urban gardener H.C. Flores, but it’s also a comprehensive guide on how to start your own garden, whether you live in an apartment, in the ‘burbs, or in an inner city environment. According to Flores, “The average American lawn could produce several hundred pounds of food a year."

Flores is a certified permaculture designer, promoting a sustainable way of landscaping inspired by natural eco-systems. Food Not Lawns presents a nine-step plan to help readers “build fertile soil, raise their own food, promote biodiversity and increase natural habitat.” But it’s also more than that. As Flores says, “This book is about how to be healthier and more self-reliant, and thus improve the ecological integrity of the community you live in, through growing diverse organic gardens and sharing the surplus.”

Flores begins with a bit of her own history – growing up in suburban L.A. in the 1980s and evolving into a full time activist via Food Not Bombs. Ultimately, she joined with friends to start Food Not Lawns. The book advances her message by providing a “how-to” guide, with tips on finding garden space, securing water, improving the soil, and designing a garden paradise using sound ecological principles. Equally as important, it offers suggestions on how to use your garden as a catalyst to improve your own life and your community.

You can order Food Not Lawns through the link below:




This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader
by Joan Dye Gussow

Another of my favorite books is This Organic Life by Joan Dye Gussow. She’s an icon in the local foods movement, having served as an overseer of the Chef’s Collaborative; as chair & professor emeritus (nutrition), Columbia University Teachers College; as director of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation; and as an advisory board member, for the Center for Food Safety and Ecology Action.

This Organic Life chronicles her gardening experiences -- self described as “a decades-long journey to vegetal self sufficiency” -- which culminate in the purchase of a dilapidated Odd Fellows Hall on the banks of the Hudson River in Piedmont, NY. There, she and her husband set about to eat only what they grow. Gussow’s accounts of the "renovation" of the house and the creation of their gardens are heart warming and funny, seasoned with journal and letter extracts, fabulous recipes using garden fresh produce, and serious musings on what’s wrong with the traditional agricultural system. Gussow takes the philosophical task of eating locally and makes it intensely personal: challenging, entertaining, satisfying, flavorful and fun.

You can order This Organic Life via the link below.

Upcoming Events, Etc.

Finally, a rainy day.

If you're like me, you've spent the summer planting, weeding, deadheading, weeding, harvesting, weeding, cooking, weeding, preserving, weeding, composting and then.....weeding some more. Every now and then -- like 40-50 hours a week -- I also go to work. Doesn't leave much time for blogging, I'm afraid.

The key thing I've discovered about gardening is that everything grows. (Now there's a revelation!) But, truly....I always start the season with intense energy and enthusiasm and by July, I'm out there with a machete, cutting everything back before it takes over the neighborhood....thinking why in the world did I plant so many squash plants? Have I learned nothing?

For a truly entertaining bit on the zucchini, you should visit my friend John Hershey's website by clicking here; he speaks for gardeners everywhere.

Ah, but I digress.....

I'm happy to have a rainy day because I can't weed today. I can, instead, promote these cool events. If you'd like a yummy introduction to local foods, here are some events to get you started:

Sunday, Aug. 24, 5:30 p.m. to…..
Local Feast at The Kitchen (Upstairs)
1039 Pearl Street, Boulder

Celebrate local food with a special three-course dinner prepared by the chefs at the renowned Kitchen Cafe in Boulder. Taste local food at its best and sip a variety of Colorado wines and local brews. Co-sponsored by Bauman College, Edible Front Range, Boulder County Farmers' Markets, The Kitchen and Boulder County Going Local.

$39 per person; reservations required. Call 303-444-2975 to make yours now!

September 6 - 12, 2008
Harvest Week Denver
presented by the Denver Independent Network of Restaurants (DINR) and participating Denver restaurants

Join in a weeklong celebration of Colorado's exceptional products and produce. Each of DINR's almost 40 restaurants will create a menu that features food and/or beverages produced in Colorado. Support our local farmers, growers and producers as well as your favorite independent restaurants and check out Harvest Week. For more information and to preview all of the Harvest Week menus, visit www.eatdenver.com.

Tuesday, September 9, (Abbondanza Farm)
Monday, October 6 (Cure Organic Farm)
Farmer's Dinners at Duo Restaurant
2413 W. 32nd Ave (at Zuni) Denver

Chef John Broening will prepare a four course meal with organic produce picked from the evening's spotlighted farm. The farmers will be speaking about the food and farming in Colorado. Four courses cost $45; menus TBA and subject to change depending on what is ready for harvest! For reservations call 303.477.4141 or visit http://www.duodenver.com/reservations.html

Friday October 3, 2008 – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Mountain Bushels and Bottles - A Seasonal Celebration of Local Flavor
Hosted by Cook Street School of Fine Cooking and Slow Food Denver
Cook Street School of Fine Cooking
1937 Market Street, Denver 80202

Calling all local foodies! Join Slow Food Denver and Cook Street School of Fine Cooking on Friday October 3rd for our first annual Rocky Mountain Bushels and Bottles - A Seasonal Celebration of Regional Flavor. Cook Street chefs will prepare and showcase seasonal products from some of Colorado's finest local food producers. Attendees will sample seasonally inspired small plates paired with local wine and beer while perusing an outdoor farmers market on the Cook Street Patio. Hear from local food producers and meet Cook Street School of Fine Cooking's talented chefs. Don't miss this fabulous event benefiting Slow Food Denver. Cost: $65/person. Register online at http://www.cookstreet.com/news_and_events_rec.php

In Praise of Farmers' Markets, Etc.

So here we are in the full blush of summer...

I am adjusting to my new job and starting to catch up on everything else -- with all the vegetable gardens planted, the flower beds in reasonably good shape, and lettuce, chard, spinach, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and fresh herbs coming on. And to top it off, we have sweet cherries in the mini orchard in our community garden. Is there a better time of year?

In the general category of "catching up," I spent a few hours yesterday volunteering as a Master Gardener (MG) Apprentice at the MG booth at the Cherry Creek Farmer's market, and I was reminded of all the reasons we love them!

First, you can buy some incredibly fresh produce. I splurged on a basket of huge cherry tomatoes -- big as plums -- grown in a hothouse on a farm in Fort Lupton -- and some fresh corn and cilantro. Friends of mine bought fresh-baked bread and home-made corn tortillas (fabulous when layered with grilled garlic, onions, poblano peppers and melted cheese.) I wish I had taken pictures.

Second, you meet such wonderful people. There was a young man in the booth next to us, an apprentice cook with Johnston Wales, selling seasoned salmon, dips and other yummy items. He couldn't do enough for us -- jumped up to help us set up; tied down our tent corners to his weights; was generally amazingly helpful. He is young, entreprenurial, hopeful -- starting his own business and launching his wares -- and a genuinely nice man. I wish I had gotten the name of his business.

Third, farmers' markets are an extreme people-watching opportunity. When we weren't answering questions about powdery mildew, acid-loving plants, pruning lilacs and other fascinating topics, we were noticing how -- over time -- couples come to resemble one another, like matched sets of salt and pepper shakers. Again, I wish I had taken pictures.

Fortunately, in an effort to knock down the 50 hours of volunteer time I need to relinquish my apprentice status and become a real Master Gardener, I'll be hanging out at the Farmer's Market for the next few weeks. My plan is to take my camera and spend some time talking to producers -- and then introducing them to you.

So stay tuned. In the meantime, if you'd like to visit a farmer's market on your own, here's a list of Colorado farmer's markets, compliments of the Colorado Department of Agriculture:

Monday

Colorado SpringsMemorial Park, (Union Blvd. & Pikes Peak Ave.)
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 19 - Oct. 2
E-mail: franklinhschmidt@peoplepc.com

Denver Tamarac Shopping Center (Tamarac & Hampden)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 23 - September
Farmers' Market Hotline: (303) 887-Farm
Web site: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Tuesday
Aurora (333 Havana St. , in parking lot)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 24 - Oct. 28
Farmers' Market Hotline: (303) 887-Farm
Web site: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Evergreen, The Bergan Village Shopping Center
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 3 - Oct. 7

Fountain, 116 S. Main St. (City Hall Plaza)
3 p.m. - 7 p.m., June 17 - early Oct.

Glenwood Springs, Centennial Park (9th and Grand Ave.)
4 p.m. - dusk
June 17 - Sept. 23
E-mail: cindy@glenwoodmarket.com
Web site: http://www.glenwoodmarket.com/

Loveland, In front of Hobby Lobby
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., May - Oct.
E-mail: fcfm2008@wildblue.net
Web site: www.fortnet.org/market

Pueblo, 4th St. and Midtown
7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., July 8 - Oct.

Wednesday

Boulder, 13th St. between Canyon Blvd. & Arapahoe Ave.
4 p.m. - 8 p.m., May 7- Oct. 1
E-mail: manager@boulderfarmers.org
Web site: http://www.boulderfarmers.org/

Cañon City, Veteran's Park
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 4 - Oct. 1
E-mail: stultzranch@earthlink.net

Carbondale, 4th and Main
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 11 - Oct. 1
E-mail: highwireranch@hotmail.com

Colorado Springs, America the Beautiful Park (Cimino Dr., south of Colorado Ave.)
3 p.m. - 7 p.m., June 11 - Oct. 8
E-mail: info@farmandartmarket.com
Web site: http://www.farmandartmarket.com/

Denver, Cherry Creek N. Dr. & University (next to Bed, Bath & Beyond)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 4 - Sept. 24
Web site: http://www.coloradofreshmarkets.com/

Denver, Civic Center Park (Broadway & 14th Ave.)
11 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 11 - Sept. 26
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Fort Collins, Harmony Market Pl. (Harmony & Lemay)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., mid June - Oct.
E-mail: fcfm2008@wildblue.net
Web site: www.fortnet.org/market

Grand Junction, Teller Arms Shopping Center
7 a.m. - 12 p.m. May 21 - Nov. 5

Greeley, 902 7th Ave.
3 p.m. - 6 p.m., July 2 - Oct. 1
Web site: www.greeleygov.com/fm

Littleton, 7301 S. Sante Fe (in parking lot)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 18 - Oct. 29
Farmers' Market Hotline: (303) 887-Farm
Web site: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Manitou Springs, Soda Springs Park
4 p.m. - 6 p.m., June 11 - Aug. 27
E-mail: kitty@clemens.com
Web site: http://www.80829.com/

Montrose, Centennial Plaza
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mid July - Sept.
E-mail: frances_mb44@hotmail.com

Telluride, Gondola Plaza in the center of Mountain Village
2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mid July - Mid Sept.
E-mail: telluridefarmersmarekt@gmail.com

Thursday

Aurora, Smoky Hill & E470 (Southland's Retail Center)
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 5 - Aug.
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Colorado Springs, Memorial Park, Union Blvd. & Pikes Peak Ave.
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 23- Oct. 6
E-mail: franklinhschmidt@peoplepc.com

Craig, 543 Yampa Ave. (west side of street in Alice Pleasant Park)
3 p.m. - 6 p.m., June 5 - Oct. 18
E-mail: downtown.books@hotmail.com

Estes Park, 1209 Manford Ave. (Stanley Fairgrounds)
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., June 5 - Sept. 25
E-mail: kvdennis@nunntelwb.com

Florence, Pioneer Park
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 19 - Sept. 25

Grand Junction, Main St.
5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., June 12 - Sept. 18

Mancos, 117 N. Main (Boyle Park)
5 p.m. - 7 p.m., June 26 - Sept. 11
E-mail: skimball@mancoscolorado.com
Web site: http://www.mancoscolorado.com/

Wheat Ridge, 4260 Wadsworth Blvd.
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 19
Farmers' Market Hotline: (303) 887-Farm
Web site: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Friday

Denver, I-76 & 88th
7 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 1 - October
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Dillon, Buffalo St.
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 13 - Sept. 5 (no markets July 4 or Aug. 8)
E-mail: CBenefiel@townofdillon.com

Granby, 365 E. Agate Ave. (south side of Agate Ave. between 3rd & 4th St.)
3 p.m. - 7 p.m., June 6 - Oct. 3 & 4
E-mail: grcoc@rkymtnhi.com
Web site: http://www.granbychamber.com/

Johnstown, Downtown on S. Parish St.
4 p.m. - 8 p.m., July 25 - Sept. 12

Monte Vista, Fullenweider Park on 1st Ave.
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., June 1 - Aug. 31
E-mail: t3stooges@msn.com
Web site: http://www.cityofmontevista.com/

Pagosa Springs, Located on Hwy. 160 in the center of town.
4 p.m. - 7 p.m., June 27 - Sept. 26
E-mail: director@pagosachamber.com
Web site: http://www.pagosaspringschamber.com/

Pueblo, 4th St. and Midtown
7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., July 8 - Oct.

Rifle, Railroad Ave. & East 2nd St.
4 p.m. - 8 p.m., June 13 - Sept. 26

South Fork Visitor's Center, intersection of Highways 160 and 149
8 a.m.- 12 p.m., July 4 - August 29\
E-mail: ardean@southforkfarmersmarket.org
Web site:http://www.southforkfarmersmarket.org/

Telluride, S. Oak St. in Telluride below Elks Park across from the county courthouse
11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 13 - Oct. 17
E-mail: telluridefarmersmarket@gmail.com

Woodland Park, Corner of Center and Henrietta
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 13 - Sept. 26

Saturday

Alamosa, Parking lot at State & Main
7 a.m. - 2 p.m., July 12 - Oct. 13
E-mail: tawney1@earthlink.net
Web site: http://www.alamosa.org/

Aspen, Hopkins and Hunter Streets
8 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 14 - Oct. 18

Aurora, Smoky Hill & E470 (Southlands Retail Center)
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 17 - Oct. 18
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Brighton, Downtown at North 1st & Strong St.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 21 - Sept. 27
E-mail: downtown@brightonco.gov
Web site: http://www.brightonco.gov/

Boulder, 13th St. between Canyon Blvd. & Arapahoe Ave.
8 a.m. - 2 p.m., April 5 - Nov. 1
E-mail: bfm-manager@boulderfarmers.org
Web site: http://www.boulderfarmers.org/

Castle Pines, Castle Pines Parkway
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., every 3rd Saturday of each month
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Castle Rock, SW corner of the Castle Rock Shopping Center
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., July 12 - Oct. 4
E-mail: dcsue@douglas.co.us

Colorado Springs, 24th St. & W. Colorado Ave.
7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., June 7- Oct. 25
E-mail: franklinhschmidt@peoplepc.com

Colorado Springs, 4515 Barnes Rd.
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 28 - Sept. 27
E-mail: franklinhschmidt@peoplepc.com

Colorado Springs, 7350 Pine Creek Rd. (at the Margarita at Pine Creek)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 14 - Oct. 11
E-mail: info@farmandartmarket.com
Web site: http://www.farmandartmarket.com/

Cortez, 109 W. Main (Hwy. 160)
7:30 a.m. - sellout, June 7 - Oct.11
E-mail: Tom.Hooten@colostate.edu
Web site: http://www.cortezfarmmarket.com/

Denver, I-76 & 88th
7 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 1 - October
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Denver, Cherry Creek N. Dr. & University (next to Bed, Bath & Beyond)
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., May 3 - Oct. 25
Web site: http://www.coloradofreshmarkets.com/

Durango, 1st National Bank parking lot
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., May 17 - Oct. 25

Edwards, Edwards Corner (across from Riverwalk)
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., June 14 - Sept. 13
E-mail: edwards@rockymountainmarkets.com

Fort Collins, 802 W. Drake
10 a.m. - 1 p.m., April 19 - Sept. 27
Email: manager@drakeroadfarmersmarket.com
Web site: http://www.drakeroadfarmersmarket.com/

Fort Collins,
Corner of Howes and Olive
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., July 12 - Oct. 11
E-mail: astoven@larimer.org
Web site: www.larimer.org/ext

Fruita, 325 E. Aspen Ave.
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mid June - End of Oct.

Grand Junction, Teller Arms Shopping Center
7 a.m. - 12 p.m. May 21 - Nov. 5

Golden, 10th and Illinois (next to the Golden Library)
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 7 - Oct. 4
E-mail: Deborah.r@earthlink.net or info@goldencochamber.org

Greeley, 902 7th Ave.
7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., May 17 - Oct. 25
Web site: www.greeleygov.com/fm

Gunnison, N. Main & E. Virginia
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 28 - Oct. 11
E-mail: director@gfm-online.org
Web site: http://www.gfm-online.org/

Littleton, Southwest Plaza (Bowles & Wadsworth)
8 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 3 - Oct. 25
Farmers' Market Hotline: (303) 887-Farm
Web site: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Lone Tree, Lone Tree Entertainment District (across from Brunswick Zone)
9 a.m. 1 p.m., May 31 - Oct. 11
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Longmont, North lot of Longmont Fairgrounds
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., May 3 - Oct. 25
E-mail: cindy@boulderfarmers.org
Web site: http://www.longmontfarmers.com/

Minturn, Historic Downtown
9 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., June 14 - Sept. 6
E-mail: market@minturn.org
Web site: http://www.minturn.org/ and http://www.minturnmarket.org/

Montrose, Centennial Plaza
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., May - Oct.
E-mail: frances_mb44@hotmail.com

Monument, 481 Hwy. 105 (directly behind Radio Shack)
7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 7 - Oct. 11

Norwood, 1120 Summit St.
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., June 7 - Sept. 20

Salida, Alpine Park
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., June 21 - Oct. 11

Steamboat Springs, Lincoln Ave. on 6th St. next to the Courthouse
8 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 14 - August 30
E-mail: mainstreetsteamboat@comcast.net
Web site: http://www.mainstreetsteamboatsprings.com/

Strasburg, 56551 E. Colfax
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., May 24 - Oct. 18
Oct. 18 (pumpkin patch)
E-mail: brendac2@netecin.net

Trinidad, Main Street (between Convent & Beech)
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., mid July - mid October
E-mail: tcpotter@amigo.net

Sunday

Boulder, 29th Street Mall
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., starting June 15
Web site: www.thefruitstand.net/mf_details.html

Denver, I-76 & 88th
7 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 1 - October
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Denver, 1500 blk. of S. Pearl (between Florida & Iowa)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 8 - Oct. 26
E-mail: nicolejarman@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.oldsouthpearlstreet.com/

Denver, Sullivan Fountain at Colfax and City Park (across from the Tattered Cover)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 1 - Oct. 26
Web site: http://www.coloradofreshmarkets.com/

Denver, E. 29th Ave. & Roslyn St. (Stapleton's Founders' Green)
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., June 15 - Sept. 28
Web site: http://www.coloradofreshmarkets.com/

Crested Butte, 100 Block of Elk Ave.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 22 - Oct. 19
E-mail: powderfarmer@gmail.com
Web site: http://cbfarmersmarket.org/

Fort Collins, Harmony Market Pl. (corner of Harmony & Lemay)
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., May - Oct.
E-mail: fcfm2008@wildblue.net
Web site is www.fortnet.org/market

Highlands Ranch Town Center, Highlands Ranch Parkway (between Lucent & Broadway)
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 4 - Oct. 26
Farmers' Market Hotline: (303) 887-Farm
Web site: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Lakewood, Belmar, SE corner of S. Wadsworth & W. Alameda
(access Alaska Dr. via Teller St., Vance St. or Saulsbury St.)
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 1 - Sept. 28
E-mail: brittanym@continuumll.com
Web site: http://www.belmarcolorado.com/

Palisade, 3rd & Main
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June - Sept.
E-mail: tdarrah@townofpalisade.org
Web site: http://www.townofpalisade.org/

Parker, Parker Crossroads (northwest corner of Parker Rd. & Main St.)
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., May 11 - Oct. 28
E-mail: simmons03@att.net
Web site: http://www.laughingdogfarms.net/

Ridgway, Ouray County Fairgrounds
8a.m. - 12 p.m., June 15 - Sept. 28

Vail, Meadow Dr. in Vail Village
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., June 15- Sept. 7
Web site: http://www.rockymountainmarkets.com/

Westminster, 105th and Sheridan
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., May - Oct.
Web site: http://www.millerfarms.net/

Don't Miss This One

O.K., I'm back -- just in time to publicize some very cool stuff going on at Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG).

DBG has recently launched a series of classes on sustainable living called The Urban Homestead. These classes are designed to provide the skills necessary to grow your own food on even the smallest city lot.

Don't miss this one:

Thursday, July 24, 7:00 p.m.
Community Film Screening and Local Food Open House
'The Real Dirt on Farmer John'
Denver Botanic Gardens Mitchell Hall
Meet Farmer John, whose inspirational story has won accolades and awards at film festivals around the world. The Real Dirt on Farmer John charts the story of a family farm from its traditional roots through its reinvention as a haven for hippies and artists, its tragic collapse in the farm debt crisis of the 80s, and finally its transformation into one of the largest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the United States, a beacon of today's booming organic farming movement. Come early to visit an expo of local farmers, co-ops, community gardens and markets and meet your local 'Farmer Johns'! Please note: this film contains brief nudity and references to drug use. $10 suggested donation; pre-registration recommended due to limited space. To register, call 720-865-3580 or visit http://www.botanicgardens.org/ .

Direct link to register for the film: http://www.peopleware.net/index.cfm?siteCode=2736&eventDisp=08ADULTNC&subeventdisp=08JLL115&CFID=17857256&CFTOKEN=3abc16f-9a3efb2d-c5e1-41bc-9e9e-1acd0a5185f2

More information about Farmer John (and his movie):
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/realdirt/

YouTube trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqP1SC5Tr7U

Look for other classes in the Urban Homestead series in the events section of this blogsite by clicking here.

Mark your Calendars: Mark Winne is Coming to Colorado

Mark Winne, author of Closing the Food Gap, Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty, is coming to Colorado!

Winne is a renowned food activist. From 1979 to 2003, he was the Executive Director of the Hartford Food System, a private non-profit agency that works on food and hunger issues in the Hartford, Connecticut area. During his tenure with HFS, Mark organized community self-help food projects that assisted the city’s lower income and elderly residents. Mark’s work with the Food System included the development of commercial food businesses, Connecticut’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, farmers’ markets, a 25-acre community supported agriculture farm, a food bank, food and nutrition education programs, and a neighborhood supermarket.

Mark is a co-founder of a number of food and agriculture policy groups including the City of Hartford Food Policy Commission, the Connecticut Food Policy Council, End Hunger Connecticut!, and the national Community Food Security Coalition. He was an organizer and chairman of the Working Lands Alliance, a statewide coalition working to preserve Connecticut’s farmland, and is a founder of the Connecticut Farmland Trust. Mark was a member of the United States Delegation to the 2000 World Conference on Food Security in Rome and is a 2001 recipient of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary’s Plow Honor Award. From 2002 until 2004, Mark was a Food and Society Policy Fellow, a position supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Mark currently writes, speaks, and consults extensively on community food system topics including hunger and food insecurity, local and regional agriculture, community food assessment, and food policy. He also does policy communication and food policy council work for the Community Food Security Coalition. His essays and opinion pieces have appeared in the Hartford Courant, the Boston Globe, The Nation, In These Times, Sierra Magazine, Orion Magazine, Successful Farming and numerous organizational and professional newsletters and journals across the country. His book “Closing the Food Gap — Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty” was published by Beacon Press. He now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he serves on the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council and the Southwest Grass-fed Livestock Alliance.

Winne will be sharing his knowledge and experiences with us from March 26 – March 29 at the following venues:

• Tuesday, March 26, 6 p.m. -- Live Interview on KCFR 88.9
• Wednesday, March 26, 8-11 a.m. -- Creating a Local Food Policy Council, The Food Bank for Larimer County, 1301 Blue Spruce, Fort Collins, CO -- Winne will share best practices, case studies and the do's and don'ts of starting Food Policy Councils. He will also moderate a discussion and planning session for Larimer County.
• Wednesday, March 26, 4 - 5:30 p.m. -- Presentation and Book Signing Colorado State University, Lory Student Center, Room 213-215, Fort Collins, CO
• Wednesday, March 27, 7 p.m. -- Reading and Book-signing, Matter Bookstore, 144 N. College, Fort Collins, CO
• Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m. -- Discussion and Book-signing
  Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1628 16th Street, Denver, CO

"Growing Local in Colorado"

For more on food policy issues in Colorado, check out a new video on the Longmont Farmer's Market. It's a great summary/overview spearheaded by Cynthia Torres, Longmont Farmers' Market Manager and Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow.

You can view it here.

What's Wrong with Our Food System

This op-ed piece is being reprinted here in its entirety, courtesy of the NY Times, because it's soooo indicative of what's wrong with our food system these days. I'm happy to report that there is an enthusiastic effort underway to establish a Denver Food and Agricultural Policy Council -- and a statewide initiative as well -- to support a sustainable, equitable local/regional food system and to tackle problems such as these.

Read it and weep....

My Forbidden Fruits (and Vegetables)
By JACK HEDIN
Op-Ed Contributor
Rushford, Minn.
March 1, 2008

IF you've stood in line at a farmers' market recently, you know that the local food movement is thriving, to the point that small farmers are having a tough time keeping up with the demand.
But consumers who would like to be able to buy local fruits and vegetables not just at farmers' markets, but also in the produce aisle of their supermarket, will be dismayed to learn that the federal government works deliberately and forcefully to prevent the local food movement from expanding. And the barriers that the United States Department of Agriculture has put in place will be extended when the farm bill that House and Senate negotiators are working on now goes into effect.

As a small organic vegetable producer in southern Minnesota, I know this because my efforts to expand production to meet regional demand have been severely hampered by the Agriculture Department's commodity farm program. As I've looked into the politics behind those restrictions, I've come to understand that this is precisely the outcome that the program's backers in California and Florida have in mind: they want to snuff out the local competition before it even gets started.

Last year, knowing that my own 100 acres wouldn't be enough to meet demand, I rented 25 acres on two nearby corn farms. I plowed under the alfalfa hay that was established there, and planted watermelons, tomatoes and vegetables for natural-food stores and a community-supported agriculture program.

All went well until early July. That's when the two landowners discovered that there was a problem with the local office of the Farm Service Administration, the Agriculture Department branch that runs the commodity farm program, and it was going to be expensive to fix.
The commodity farm program effectively forbids farmers who usually grow corn or the other four federally subsidized commodity crops (soybeans, rice, wheat and cotton) from trying fruit and vegetables. Because my watermelons and tomatoes had been planted on "corn base" acres, the Farm Service said, my landlords were out of compliance with the commodity program.

I've discovered that typically, a farmer who grows the forbidden fruits and vegetables on corn acreage not only has to give up his subsidy for the year on that acreage, he is also penalized the market value of the illicit crop, and runs the risk that those acres will be permanently ineligible for any subsidies in the future. (The penalties apply only to fruits and vegetables - if the farmer decides to grow another commodity crop, or even nothing at all, there's no problem.)

In my case, that meant I paid my landlords $8,771 - for one season alone! And this was in a year when the high price of grain meant that only one of the government's three crop-support programs was in effect; the total bill might be much worse in the future.

In addition, the bureaucratic entanglements that these two farmers faced at the Farm Service office were substantial. The federal farm program is making it next to impossible for farmers to rent land to me to grow fresh organic vegetables.

Why? Because national fruit and vegetable growers based in California, Florida and Texas fear competition from regional producers like myself. Through their control of Congressional delegations from those states, they have been able to virtually monopolize the country's fresh produce markets.

That's unfortunate, because small producers will have to expand on a significant scale across the nation if local foods are to continue to enter the mainstream as the public demands. My problems are just the tip of the iceberg.

Last year, Midwestern lawmakers proposed an amendment to the farm bill that would provide some farmers, though only those who supply processors, with some relief from the penalties that I've faced - for example, a soybean farmer who wanted to grow tomatoes would give up his usual subsidy on those acres but suffer none of the other penalties. However, the Congressional delegations from the big produce states made the death of what is known as Farm Flex their highest farm bill priority, and so it appears to be going nowhere, except perhaps as a tiny pilot program.

Who pays the price for this senselessness? Certainly I do, as a Midwestern vegetable farmer. But anyone trying to do what I do on, say, wheat acreage in the Dakotas, or rice acreage in Arkansas would face the same penalties. Local and regional fruit and vegetable production will languish anywhere that the commodity program has influence.

Ultimately of course, it is the consumer who will pay the greatest price for this - whether it is in the form of higher prices I will have to charge to absorb the government's fines, or in the form of less access to the kind of fresh, local produce that the country is crying out for.

Farmers need the choice of what to plant on their farms, and consumers need more farms like mine producing high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables to meet increasing demand from local markets - without the federal government actively discouraging them.

Jack Hedin is a farmer.

Restaurant Spotlight: The Mercury Cafe, Part II

The Mercury Cafe
2199 California Street
Denver, Colorado 80205

Information: 303-294-9281
Reservations: 303-294-9258
Dinner, Tues. - Sun., 5:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Brunch, Sat. & Sun., 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Last December, I did a posting on the Mercury Cafe praising their sustainable environmental practices and promising a follow-up on their food. Since then, I have visited the Mercury Cafe a number of times, and every time I go there I like it better.

Walking into the Mercury Cafe is like stepping into the warm, beating heart of the '60s. The red walls, adorned with oversized painted roses; the red and white twinkling lights; the plants; the exotic lamps; the wait staff and clientele -- they all take you back to those heady, optimistic days when we all wanted to change the world.

While other restaurants are trading on current trends toward conspicuous consumption and wanting to see and be seen, the Mercury Cafe has remained true to those "change-the-world" roots.

You're not going to find any Waygu/Kobe beef here.

What you will find is a menu that represents a laundry list of local producers, including Monroe Organic Farm, Rockhill Dairy, Grower's Organic Rainbow, Haystack Cheese, Organic Valley, Federal Devries Chocolate, Colorado Elk and Game, Campbell Hansmire Sheep, Alvarez Chili, Redbird, Alamosa Striped Bass, Cline Trout, Wynkoop Brewery, Jackrabbit Hill Winery, Peak Spirits and others. Their elk and lamb have only been fed their mother's milk, the grass on the mountain and forest forage. Their "Goat" Artisan Vodka is handmade by Rory Donovan in Palisade and their organic gin, brandies and grappas are distilled by Lance and Anna Hanson in the Gunnison North Fork Valley. They serve organic eggs, butter and dairy. And they offer a wide variety of vegetarian options.

Believe me, it's all good!

I have sampled a number of dishes there. Here are some epicurean highlights:

• They make all of their own breads and pastries using whole grains, natural sweeteners,and cold pressed oils. When you first sit down, they bring you a basket of whole wheat bread that is chewy, dense and nutritious -- just like your grandmother used to make. Add some sweet organic butter, and you're off to a great start.


• Their breakfast sausage, made by local producer Roy'L, is especially spicy and good.


• Their grilled elk is mighty tasty, offering a healthy alternative to conventional meats.


• Their Durango Poached Eggs are served on a bed of steamed greens and creamy melted Haystack cheese -- and believe me -- these are to die for!

They also offer a full schedule of events in the upstairs ballroom/theater -- from belly dancing to swing dancing lessons, from music performances to theater productions, and from documentary films to open-mike poetry readings. You can access the events calendar here.

As a side note, you're probably not going to find customers talking about their latest botox or detox. Whenever I've visited in the past few months, people have been meeting there to tackle big issues, such as world hunger, political campaigns, food justice, Darfur -- you name it.

Good food -- for the brain and the body.

Now that's nourishment!

Restaurant Spotlight: ...and the "Bum Steer" Award Goes to....Elway's

Since the Oscars are coming up, I thought I'd start an award of my own: The Bum Steer Award. And it's going to the new Elway's downtown.

Designed to appeal to an upscale crowd, including "people living downtown, people traveling, and a heavy convention crowd at night," Elway's Downtown offers "100% USDA Prime Beef steaks, hand-cut on the premises, by the piece seafood raw bar, great wines at great prices, and a comfortable, memorable and attentive dining experience."

The Denver Post's Bill Husted reports that: "prices at Elway's Ritz-Carlton are about $1-$2 more than the same dishes in Cherry Creek. But breakfast at Elway R-C starts with one egg, any style, for $9. Kobe beef tasting is $65 for four ounces. . . ."

Wait. Did I hear Kobe beef?

Kobe beef comes from Wagyu cattle, which are genetically predisposed to intense marbling and (supposedly) superior taste. According to Wikipedia, "The meat from Wagyu cattle is known worldwide for its marbling characteristics, increased eating quality through a naturally enhanced flavor, tenderness and juiciness, and thus a high market value."

Wikipedia also outlines the health benefits associated with Kobe beef: "Because of the Wagyu cattle's genetic predisposition and special diet including beer and sake, wagyu yields a beef that contains a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than typical beef. The increased marbling also improves the ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fats."

Various website promoting Kobe beef also praise the producers of these animals for raising them in luxury. Here's some marketing language from The Allen Brothers Website (purveyors of "Great Steakhouse Steaks.") "Wagyu cattle gain their tenderness from the exceptional way in which they are cared for. Wagyu are traditionally fed beer to maintain their fat content, and enjoy frequent massages and Sake rubs, where the fine rice wine is actually brushed into their coats to keep them supple. The resulting meat is nothing short of incredible."

Now, before you take out a second mortgage and go rushing down to Elway's for a sample, you should check out an article by Barry Estabrook in the December 2007 issue of Gourmet Magazine entitled Raising the Steaks. In it, he quotes Raymond Blanc, one of the few Western chefs to have visited a Japanese Kobe beef farm, and David Blackmore, an Australian cattle rancher who has made multiple visits to Japanese farms and agricultural centers over the years.

They paint a much different picture.

According to Blanc, "The animals were kept in some kind of crate, so there could be very little movement. They were very dirty from their own manure. It was disgusting, such a contradiction from what I'd read."

According to Blackmore, "From the time they are a week old until they are three and a half years old, these steers are commonly kept in a lean-to behind someone's house where they get bored and go off their feed. Their gut stops working. The best way to get their gut working again is to give them a bottle of beer. The steers have been lying in their own manure. The farmers are proud of their cattle, and the first thing they do is grab a bit of straw and rub the manure off. That could be seen as being massaged. Wagyu can also get a lot of joint swelling. I can imagine that farmers would be massaging joints so they could get the animals off to market."

According to Charles Gaskins, a Wagyu expert at Washington State University, "The steers grow so big and heavy, they get arthritic. It's a matter of keeping the animals going until they are ready to be harvested."

Elway's offers three different kinds of Wagyu beef on its tasting menu, including Kobe Kaishiki Farm Beef, Australian River Ranch Beef, and Clear Creek Farm American Beef. Just for kicks I checked out the Clear Creek Farm Website to see what they said about their beef, and I was pleased to find a web page devoted to animal health. However, when I clicked on it, there was no meaningful content on that page. Hmmm. I wonder why?

Now, I don't want to diss John Elway; anyone with a pulse in Denver has to remember the glory days of the Superbowl(s). He's active in charitable causes and you've got to love that.

Nor do I want to diss Elway's restaurant. In my previous Corporate life, I had a couple of work-related dinners there that were pretty darn good.

But I do want to sugest that he's missing an opportunity. What could be better than offering Colorado-raised, grass-fed beef and other meats to all those Convention Center tourists? Good for the customers, good for the cattle, good for local ranchers and good for Colorado.

Come on, John. Help us get the local foods movement over the goal line.

In Search of Grass-fed Beef - Retail

When I started looking around for grass-fed beef a couple of months ago, it was nowhere to be found. I finally checked out my local Vitamin Cottage and found a frozen brick of grass-fed ground beef from The Lasater Ranch. I brought it home and made a dandy little meatloaf. The flavor was good; the texture was fine, and I could feel my body tingling from all those healthy Omega 3s and CLAs.

Suddenly, I'm seeing grass-fed beef everywhere! Safeway has started carrying grass-fed beef from Maverick Ranch, and now -- believe it or not -- even Target carries it!

This week, we picked up a couple of grass-fed sirloin steaks, and if the weather holds, they're going on the grill tonight.

As promised, here's a starter list of retail grocers where you can buy grass-fed beef. This is a compilation of best available information from the following sources:

• The Colorado Food and Agricultural Directory
• Eat Well Guide
• Eat Wild Colorado
• Green People: Food Co-ops, Health Food Stores, Natural Food Stores
• Grass-fed beef producer web sites and other personal research

It's not comprehensive, by any means, so if you know of other sources, please add them to the comments section. In addition, I can't vouch for the veracity of any of the listings; nor am I recommending any vendors. Finally, keep in mind that you still need to read labels (or talk to your grocer) to find up what's really up with packaged beef. (Check out my previous post on Beef Labels 101.) A lot of the grass-fed beef offered in chain grocers and big box stores is imported from who-knows-where, and just because a cow is grass-fed doesn't mean it's free of hormones, steroids and/or antibiotics -- or wasn't confined in a factory farm feedlot. Your best bet is to look for grass-fed, pasture-raised, non-confined, no antibiotics, no added hormones beef.

Better yet, once you've tried a couple of cuts, you may want to order grass-fed beef (or other meats) directly from a Colorado rancher. I'll share everything I've learned about that process in my next post. In the meantime, here's a list to get you started....

Alpine Natural Foods, Frisco
310 W Main Street
970-668-5535
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised

Back to the Basics, Colorado Springs
2332 Vickers Dr.
719-590-9143 Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, cage free, no added hormones, no antibiotic use
Bison: Grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use

Bamboo Markets Health Foods, Steamboat Springs

1110 Yampa Street, Ste. 100
970-879-9992

B&F Mountain Market, Nederland
60 Lakeview Drive
303-258-9470

Black Canyon Organics, Olathe

5476 5700 Road
970-323-5733
“We carry an assortment of natural and organic grocery items. We offer home delivery to Crested Butte, Gunnison, Telluride, Delta, Montrose and Olathe. We will be producers of some specific items in the next year. Here's what we carry that meets your request:
* Organic Lamb - grass fed, Colorado raised
* Organic Beef - grass fed, Colorado raised
* Natural Yak (a member of the bovine family) - grass fed, Colorado raised
* Natural Elk - grass fed, Colorado raised

Black Forest Bison, Colorado Springs

1234 E. Woodmen Rd.
719-488-3898
“We offer 100% grass fed, pasture raised, no antibiotics, hormones, steroids Bison. They never go to a fed lot and are never fed grain, so they are from start and finish on grass. We offer frozen cuts of our bison, in our store in Colorado Spring or by mail order. We have all the cuts you would expect to find, from steaks to roasts to ribs and or ground. We also make, in our shop award winning all natural bison jerky, sausage and bratwurst. All our meat comes from our own ranch, located on highway 83 just north of Colorado Springs. We are open 7 days a week, M-Sat 9 - 6, Sun 11 - 4.”

Clark’s Norwood Market, Norwood
1435 East Grand Ave.
970-327-4211

Clark’s Market, Aspen
300 N. Mill Street
970-925-8047
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised

Clarks Market, Telluride
700 W. Colorado Ave.
970-728-3124

The Colorado Cupboard, Longmont
2001 N. Main St.
303-485-0605

Durango Natural Foods, Durango
Eighth Ave. & College Drive
970-247-8129
“We carry the following:
* Beef - grass-fed, grass-finished, many cuts available (in store we have ground, stew, sirloin steak, and chuck roast), from James Ranch in Durango * Buffalo - grass-fed, grass-finished, many cuts available (in store we have ground, kabobs or stew, and steaks, currently sirloin, tenderloin, and New York, from Scenic Mesa Buffalo in Hotchkiss. We also carry Italian sausage, which contains some grass-fed pork, origin unknown.
* Lamb - grass-fed, grass-finished, certified organic, many cuts available (in store we have ground, kabobs or stew, usually loin chops, usually boneless legs) from Foxfire Farms in Durango
* Elk - grass-fed, grass-finished, many cuts available (in store we carry ground and stew), from Colorado Elk & Game in Montrose.

Fort Collins Food Co-op, Fort Collins
205 E. Mountain Ave.
970-484-7448

Good Health Natural Grocers, Glenwood Springs
722 Cooper Ave.
970-945-0235
Bison: Grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use

Gunnison Vitamin and Health Food, Gunnison
722 N. Main Street
970-641-5928
Carries local, grass-fed beef from Lasater Ranch

Hardin’s Natural Foods, Hotchkiss
31424 HWY 92
970-872-3019
Beef: grass fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non confined, pasture raised
Bison: pasture raised, non confined, no antibiotic use, no added hormones, grass fed, 100 percent vegetarian feed

Healthy Solutions Community Market & Deli, Steamboat Springs
335 Lincoln Ave.
970-879-4747
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, pasture-raised Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, organic, pasture-raised

Highland Health Foods, Montrose
16367 S. Townsend
970-249-5207
Bison: grass fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non confined, pasture raised
Great selection of locally raised meats, including certified organic Yak

Joy’s Natural Foods, Pagosa Springs
117 Navaho Trail Dr., Suite T
970-731-1500
Beef: Grass-fed, No Added Hormones, No Antibiotic Use
Bison: Grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use

Love-R-Health Foods, LaJunta
220 W 3rd Street
719-384-2332
Bison: Grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use

Lucky’s Market, Boulder
3960 Broadway
303-444-0215
Beef and Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, free range/roaming, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture raised (beef is also organic).

Manitou Natural, Manitou Springs
56 Park Avenue
719-685-5434
Carries local, grass-fed beef from Lasater Ranch

Manna Natural Foods, Cedaredge
195 W. Main St.
970-856-7372
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non confined, pasture raised
Bison: pasture raised, non confined, no antibiotic use, no added hormones, grass fed, 100 percent vegetarian feed

Marczyk Fine Foods, Denver

1770 East 17th Avenue, 303-894-9499
Bison: Grass-fed

Michelle’s Ambrosia Market, Pueblo
112 Colorado Ave.
719-545-2958
Beef: No added hormones, no antibiotic use, organic, pasture-raised
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, pasture-raised

Mountain Earth Natural Goods, Crested Butte
405 4th Street
970-349-5132
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, pasture raised Bison: pasture raised, no antibiotic use, no added hormones, grass fed and grain supplement, 100 percent vegetarian feed.

Mountain Harmony Natural Foods, Walsenburg
110 6th St.
719-738-2436
Bison: pasture raised, no antibiotic use, no added hormones, grass fed and grain supplement, 100 percent vegetarian feed.

Mountain Mama Natural Foods, Colorado Springs, CO
1625-A W. Uintah Street
Carries local, grass-fed beef from Lasater Ranch

Mountain Naturals, Aspen
316 Aspen Airport Business center, Suite B
970-925-5502
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised

Mountain People’s Co-op, Nederland
30 East First Street
(303) 258-7500
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised.

Mother Nature’s Health Foods, Canon City
915 Main St.
719-275-9367
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, organic
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised

Mountain Earth Natural Goods, Crested Butte
405 4th Street
970-349-5132
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, pasture-raised
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed/grain supplemented, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, pasture-raised

The Natural Market, Montrose
1541 Oxbow Drive #1450
970-252-9090

Nature’s Oasis, Durango
1123 Camino del Rio
970-247-1988
Carries James Ranch grass-finished beef

Naturally Yours, Pagosa Springs
162 N. Pagosa Blvd.
970-264-2053

Nature’s Pantry, Buena Vista
545 N. Hwy 24
719-395-2649
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised
Bison: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised

Neighborhood Natural Goods, Salida
320 W. 7th St.
719-539-7409
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, organic, pasture-raised
Bison: no added hormones, no antibiotic use

Old River Trading Post, Paonia
15495 Black Bridge Road
970-527-4740
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non confined, organic, pasture raised
Bison: organic, non confined, 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass fed, pasture raised, no antibiotic use, no added hormones

Rainbow Co-op, Ridgeway
970-626-9720
(Buying club with no storefront)

Rocky Mountain Natural Store, Colorado Springs
1502 W. Colorado Ave.
719-329-0180

Rocky Plains, Erie/Dacono
4022 WCR 11
303-833-3791
Grass-finished bison

Rocky Plains, Loveland
207 S. Washington Ave.
970-667-3112
Grass-finished bison

Sammy’s Organics, Colorado Springs
1801 S. 8th Street
719-471-3348

Season’s Harvest, Ridgeway Natural Foods, Ridgeway
521 Clinton Street
970-626-9719

Simple Foods Market, Salida
1548 G Street #4
719-539-7144
We offer grass-fed and finished beef from Landmark Harvest Meats of Buena Vista and grass-fed and finished lamb from GrassRoots Meats of Pagosa Springs. All of these meats are sold frozen. Most cuts are available, though not always in stock due to space limitations.

Sunnyside Farms Market, Durango
1135 S. Camino Del Rio
970-375-6400
Carries grass finished beef from James Ranch

Sunshine Markets Natural Foods, Salida
233 F Street
719-539-7735
Beef: 100 percent vegetarian feed, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, pasture-raised

The Market at Mountain Village, Mountain Village
455 Mountain Village Blvd.
970-728-6500

TR’s Country Store, Rye
6154 Boulder Ave.
719-489-3003
Beef: Free-range/roaming, grass-fed, no added hormones, no antibiotic use, non-confined, organic, pasture-raised

Vitamin Cottage, Multiple Locations Offers local grass-fed beef from the Lasater Ranch (frozen ground beef). May vary from store to store; call first to check.

Wild Oats/Whole Foods Markets, Multiple Locations
According to Whole Foods’ Rocky Mountain Meat Coordinator, grass-fed beef can be purchased at any Rocky Mountain store (fresh, all cuts available). Local grass-fed beef from the Lasater Ranch can be purchased from the Colorado Springs store (fresh, all cuts available).

Winter Park Organic Market, Winter Park
78336 U.S. Hwy 40
970-726-4704
"Due to the size of my small health food store, I can only carry frozen beef products. I carry the following:
* Greener Pastures Ranch Beef products- Grass-raised from Steamboat Springs. Finished frozen, ground beef, sirloin and beef strip. My inventory changes according to what they have to harvest from.
* Gosar Ranch- Ground beef from Monte Vista, CO. Finished frozen, fed either grass or alfalfa.
The Buffalo Guys- ground buffalo from Elk Mountain, WY. Finished frozen. The label doesn’t specify what the animals are fed.

Yauk Specialty Meats, Windsor
220 Main Street
970-686-9080

Zuma Natural Foods, Mancos
560 Menefee
Carries James Ranch beef

The Dangers of Factory Beef - Caught On Tape!

They say ignorance is bliss. And they were right!

When I started this blog, it was out of curiosity, fueled by a passionate belief in supporting a sustainable local/regional food system. I hate to admit it, but before I got into this, I was one of those happy, mindless consumers who filled up the grocery cart without giving a thought to where my food comes from. Now, as I turn over rocks on the road from farm to grocer, it seems as though there's a scorpion under every stone!

Yesterday, it was reported that public school districts across the Denver metro area (including Denver, Cherry Creek and Jefferson and Douglas counties) have temporarily stopped serving beef in their cafeterias. That's because earlier this week, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released videotape findings of its investigation of the Hallmark Meat Packing Company in Chino, California -- the nation's No. 2 supplier of ground beef to the National School Lunch Program. The video presents shocking images of the appalling mistreatment of "downed" dairy cows — those who are too sick or injured to walk. These downer cows present an increased risk of spreading mad cow disease and other harmful foodborne pathogens that can jeopardize human health.

You can view the entire video -- and take action to help prevent these abuses in the future -- here, at the HSUS website, but be warned. These images are graphic and disturbing. You may never eat factory hamburger again!

As awareness of the video spread, the USDA took action. According to a statement from the USDA released yesterday, "the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) suspended inspection at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company based on the establishment's clear violation of Federal regulations and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. This Notice of Suspension is a regulatory course of action available when FSIS finds egregious violations of humane handling regulations."

The USDA suspension will remain in effect and the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company will not be allowed to operate until written corrective actions are submitted and verified by FSIS to ensure that animals are humanely handled.

The USDA also suspended indefinitely the eligibility of Westland Meat Packing Company to participate as a supplier to Federal food and nutrition programs, specifically the National School Lunch Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

On the plus side, this story got me motivated. I've been trying to put together a directory of retail and producer locations where you can buy locally raised, grass-fed beef and it's not easy. It's taking me longer than I thought.

This was the shot in the arm I needed to keep soldiering on....

Where's the Beef? -- The Great Corn vs. Grass Debate

I grew up in the very heart of the Midwest. Back then, all you heard about was corn-fed beef – its marbling, its tenderness, its superior taste...

Now, it’s hard to find a marketing claim about corn-fed beef.

That’s because the preponderance of evidence is telling us that grass-fed (and grass-finished) beef is superior to conventionally raised, corn-fed beef in nearly every way. Let’s take a look at the research.

(Note: In this post, we’re focusing on beef, but the same thing goes for grass-fed poultry, eggs and dairy.)

Grass-fed beef is better for you.

• Research shows it’s lower in fat and calories. Meat from grass-fed animals can have as much as one-third less fat when compared to a similar cut from a grain-fed animal.[1] According to Jo Robinson -- one of the industry’s strongest advocates -- if you eat a typical amount of beef, switching to grass-fed beef can save you nearly 18,000 calories a year![2]


• It provides more omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for you. They’ve been shown to significantly reduce triglyceride levels in the blood[3] and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.[4] Research suggest that people who consume a sufficient amount of omega-3s are less likely to have high blood pressure and are 50 percent less likely to have a serious heart attack.[5] They are also less likely to be depressed, or be afflicted with schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, or Alzheimer’s disease.[6] Meat from grass-fed animals typically contains 50 to 85 percent more omega-3s than meat from grain-fed livestock.[7]


• It provides more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is another healthy fat found in the meat and dairy products of ruminants. Studies done in animals and in vitro demonstrate that CLA can inhibit cancers (especially breast cancer), reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, improve insulin sensitivity and produce an anti-inflammatory effect.[8] CLA may also protect against cancer. Robinson cites a Finnish study that showed women with the highest levels of CLA in their diet had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels.[9] Another study measured CLA levels in the breast tissue of 360 French women and found that the women with the most CLA had a 74 percent lower risk of breast cancer than the women with the least CLA.[10] Research shows that meat from grass-fed ruminants can contain 3 to 5 times more CLA than meat from grain-fed animals.[11]


• It’s higher in vitamins. Products from grass-fed animals have also been shown to be a superior source of Vitamins A, C, D, E and beta-carotene. According to a study completed at CSU, meat from pastured cattle is four-times higher in vitamin E than the meat from feedlot cattle.[12]
  

It’s better for the animals.

• Raising animals on pasture used to be a predominant model of food production in the U.S. However, during the 50s, new techniques were introduced to improve the efficiency of beef production, a trend which continues even as we speak. As a result, most of the meat, eggs and dairy products sold in grocery stores today come from Confined Animal Feeding Operations, (CAFOs). These operations apply the same principles of mass production we see in factories. Thousands of animals are housed together in cramped quarters, with little or no exercise. While CAFOs provide maximum production at minimum cost, they also raise serious questions about ethics, food safety, and environmental impacts. Here’s what a cattle feed-lot looks like:
  

For an expose of CAFOs, check out The Meatrix. Clearly, animals allowed to forage for grass in pastures have a better life.

• The diets of factory-raised animals are hard on the animals. Ruminants (i.e., cud-chewing animals such as cattle) are built to eat and digest cellulose-based products such as grasses, plants and shrubs. When you feed them corn, it can cause serious intestinal disorders, such as “feedlot bloat” (a condition that causes trapped gas to accumulate in the rumen, causing the rumen to press against the lungs; if left untreated, the animal can actually suffocate)[13] and “subacute acidosis” (a condition similar to heartburn, which causes animals to pant and salivate, kick at their bellies and eat dirt; if left untreated it can lead to diarrhea, ulcers, liver abscesses and even death.[14]
  

It’s safer.

• Do you know what factory-fed animals are eating? As the industry continually seeks less to lower feed costs, truly astonishing materials are finding their way into our food chain. According to Sapkota, et al, (2007) “In 2003, the U.S. rendering industry produced > 8 million metric tons of rendered animal products, including meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, blood meal and feather meal. Most of these products were incorporated into animal feed.” [15] Since the advent of "mad cow" disease, the U.S. has banned the feeding of protein sources from ruminants to other ruminants.[16] However, under current law, pigs, chickens, and turkeys that have been fed rendered cattle can be rendered and fed back to cattle—a loophole that may allow mad cow agents to infect healthy cattle. Other legally permitted ingredients include rendered road kill, dead horse, euthanized dogs and cats, [17] animal waste, antibiotics, byproducts of drug manufacture, arsenicals, copper compounds, urea, ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate, enzymes, preservatives, nutraceuticals, and plastics.[18]

• Factory-raised animals are given antibiotics and growth hormones. In an effort to manage the effects of grain-based feeds in ruminants and to protect against the potential spread of disease, CAFO operators tend to administer antibiotics – including penicillin, erythromycin, and streptomycin[19] -- routinely. Robinson reports that “an estimated 70 percent of all the antibiotics used in the U.S. are now being given to healthy animals to improve their growth and performance.”[20] Moreover, cattle CAFO operators use growth hormones or steroids to help the animals gain the maximum amount of weight on the least amount of time; in fact, nine out of 10 U.S. calves are given growth hormones, including estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and others.[21]

• Grain-fed animals may be promoting food-borne diseases. Raising animals in such close quarters creates concern about the potential spread of disease (not to mention increased vulnerability to terrorist attack.) A study by Cornell University determined that grain-fed animals have approximately 300 times more E. coli than grass-fed animals.[22] This proliferation may be due to the fact that when cattle are grain fed, their digestive tracts become acidic, which promotes E. coli growth. E. coli 0157:H7, a strain first isolated in the 1980s, is now found in the intestines of most U. S. feedlot cattle. In the U.S., this bacteria is estimated to cause infection in more than 70,000 people a year.[23] Last October, it sparked the second largest food recall in the history of the U.S., when nearly 22 million pounds of frozen beef patties were recalled due to E. coli concerns. Other bacteria are also causing alarm. In a 2003 study of food-borne pathogens, Australian researchers found that campylobacter – a bacteria that can cause nausea, vomiting fever, headache, muscle pain and potenitally serious long-term effects -- is carried by 58 percent of cattle raised in feed lots versus only 2 percent of cattle raised and finished in pastures.[24]

It’s better for the environment.

• Waste from CAFOs poses a serious threat to the environment. The sheer population density of CAFOs creates a huge issue in terms of animal waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that CAFOs account for more than 250 million tons of manure every year.[25] In studies of CAFOs, CDC has shown that chemical and infectious compounds from animal waste are able to migrate into nearby soil and water,[26] and the EPA has acknowledged that hog, chicken and cattle waste has polluted 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states.[27] According to the Center for Disease Control, pollutants possibly associated with manure-related discharges at CAFOs include antibiotics; pathogens; excess nutrients, such as ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphorus; pesticides and hormones; solids, such as feed and feathers; and trace elements, such as arsenic and copper, which can contaminate surface waters and possibly harm human health.
  

Heard enough? Are you ready to try some good old grass-fed beef? Then stay tuned. In the next post we’ll take a look at where to find it in Colorado….

Resources:
[1] Health Benefits of Grass-fed Products, http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm as accessed 1/23/08
[2] Robinson, J., Grass-fed Meats Research, http://sevensons.net/why-grass-fed/benefits of grass-fed-meats.htm
[3] Wikipedia, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid, as accessed 01/28/08
[4] Ibid.
[5] Robinson, J., Grass-fed Meats Research, http://sevensons.net/why-grass-fed/benefits of grass-fed-meats.htm
[6] Ibid.
[7] Robbins, J., What About Grass-fed Beef? http://foodrevolution.org/grassfedbeef.htm, as accessed 1/25/08.
[8] Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Dietary Beef, Beef Facts, Human Nutrition Research,© Cattlemen’s Beef Board, 06/15/2007
[9] Dhiman, T. A., Anand, G. R., et al (1999) “Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from cows fed different diets.” Journal of Dairy Science 82 (10): 2146-56
[10] Bougnoux, P., Lavillonniere, F., Riboli, E., “Inverse relation between CLA in adipose breast tissue and risk of breast cancer,” Inform 10;5:S43, 1999
[11] T. R. Dhiman (2001). "Role of diet on conjugated linoleic acid content of milk and meat.". Journal of Animal Science 79. http://www.adsa.org/jointabs/iaafs108.pdf, as accessed 01/25/08.
[12] Smith, G.C., Dietary supplementation of vitamin E to cattle improve shelf life and case of beef for domestic & international markets, Colorado State University,
[13] Power Steer, by Michael Pollan, N Y Times Magazine, March 31, 2002, http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/marxism/2002/msg05843.htm, as accessed 1/25/08
[14] Grass Fed Basic, by Jo Robinson, http://eatwild.com/basics.html, as accessed 01/23/08.
[15] Sapkota, A. R., Lefferts, L. Y., McKenzie, S., and Walker, P., What do we feed to food-production animals? A review of animal feed ingredients and their potential impacts on human health. As published in Environmental Health Perspectives, 115:5 663 – 670, May 2007. [16] Cattle Feeding, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/corn-fed_beef, as accessed 01/25/08
[17] The Reality of Feed at Animal Factories http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/sustainable_food/they-eat-what.html, as accessed 1/25/08
[18] Sapkota, A. R., et al, 2007.
[19] Russel, S., Fight to curtail antibiotics in animal feed, as published in SF Gate.com, January 28, 2008, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file+/c/a/2008/01/28MNSTUGD8E.DTL &type, as accessed 01/28/08.
[20] Robinson, J., What you need to know about the beef you eat, as published in Mother Earth News, February/March 2008, pp 74 -84.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Cattle Feeding from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.orf/wiki/corn-fed_beef as accessed 1/25/08
[23] http://www.medicinenet.com/e_coli__0157h7/article.htm
[24] Ibid
[25] Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), http://www.cdc.gov/cafos/about.htm, as accessed 01/28/08
[26] Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/cafos/about.htm, as accessed 01/29/08
[27] Keep Animal Waste Out of Our Waters-- Stop Factory Farm Pollution http://www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/ as accessed 1/28/08