Award-winning wines are just some of the Colorado products that make the holiday season special.
The holidays are just around the corner, and nothing brings people together in celebration quite like warm, delicious food. Food is a key ingredient in community and togetherness, because it is an act of sharing. Whether the dish brought to the table is a family recipe, a comfort food, or a meal eaten during a memorable moment, it gives a tiny insight as to the character and experiences of a person. And it doesn’t hurt when the food tastes good too!
In Colorado we are blessed to have an abundance of good, locally produced food and drink. From the foothills and Flat Irons, the Front Range to Four Corners, the San Luis and the Western Slope, no one need look too far for something grown, brewed or vinted nearby with Colorado pride. Rather than shopping at the chain grocery stores, people can find their holiday ingredients shopping at local farms, businesses, and markets. Not only getting top quality, but supporting friends and community members as well.
Fresh baked goodies come out of the wood-fired brick oven at the Bakery at Small Potatoes Farm.
That’s one thing I find so special about living in the North Fork Valley: A large amount of the food prepared for friends, family and restaurants is grown locally. As a community the North Fork Valley is supportive of one another and the local economy. Of course supporting local farms is not only an ethic in the North Fork, people appreciate its important everywhere.
According to a number of organizations, local food looks and tastes better. There’s no denying that! It’s healthier too. Local food loses fewer nutrients than food that is shipped from the other side of the country. It is also usually less processed and made with more whole, unrefined ingredients.
Colorado communities rely on people shopping locally.
Eating locally and supporting small, local businesses often means less packaging than the big box store or grocery chain, and it saves the energy that would otherwise be used to bring food to your table. Above all, it supports local farmers, local businesses, and strengthens local communities.
For many communities the local food and drink that is produced there is an integral part of the distinctive character of the place. Supporting local farmers, breweries, wineries and farm-to-table restaurants is vital to the strength of community. Getting to know people in the community is fun as well. I have found that it’s a privilege to know the people growing the food I eat, to develop the mutual trust and friendship.
Whether you are out to recreate a longtime tradition or strike out into new culinary territory, Colorado has the best ingredients for your holiday.
It can be surprising how much is available for people that want to support local growers, farmers, and business once a person starts to look around. From world-class restaurants, to top quality products, and the best ingredients–Colorado’s food and drink economy offers everything needed for classic and traditional, or your own personal and unique, holiday feast.
So, if you’re looking to add special flavor to the upcoming festivities think about visiting a local farm, market or winery first. And even if you prefer to leave the cooking to someone else, any number of Colorado’s farm-to-table restaurants are likely to want to set you up with a gift certificate–so you can still support local business and local farmers.
Supporting Colorado business is a great thing to do in the spirit of the season. After all, community is what the holidays are all about.
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Featured Image courtesy of North Fork Food, best pies west of the Divide.