Fresh food options for springtime feasting
By Lisa Crockett
Spring is in the air, and farmers in the area are planning for the growing season ahead. For consumers looking for a way to support local growers and shrink their carbon footprint, there are a few options. Food co-ops allow consumers to buy a membership and then order their choice of produce, meat, poultry and eggs. In addition, locally produced soap, coffee, tortillas and other items are also offered. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares allow consumers to buy a share in a local farm and then receive a weekly box of fresh veggies and fruits. In either case, produce is fresh and seasonal and generally delivered to a local pickup spot.
For a food co-op membership:
Castle Pines resident Liz Malody volunteers as a point of contact (with monthly pickup at her home) for the High Plains Food Co-op. Memberships are available for year-round orders, with monthly delivery during winter and spring and twice a month during summer and fall. During the summer, Malody offers one pickup at her home; customers wishing for a second pick-up option can do so at a Highlands Ranch location.
“I do this mainly because I want healthy, clean food for my family,” said Malody. “I strongly believe in supporting local businesses and farmers.”
For more information about a membership in the High Plains Food Co-op, visit highplainsfarmers.weebly.com. Or contact Liz Malody at lmalody@gmail.com.
For a CSA membership:
Edmundson Ranches offers beef by the quarter, generally available in the late summer to mid-fall with pickups in Castle Rock (season varies according to grazing conditions). For more information, visit www.edmundsonbeef.com.
Grant Family Farms offers seasonal shares (winter/spring or summer/fall), with weekly pickups available in Castle Pines. This CSA does not offer a meat share, but meat can be ordered in addition to your weekly box. For more information, visit www.grantfarms.com.
Miller Farms offers a summer/fall CSA share that has some flexibility – consumers can choose what they want in their box based on availability from the farm. Pickups for Miller Farms are in Lone Tree, with additional pickup locations at farmers markets along the Front Range or at the farm itself in Platteville. For more information, visit www.millerfarms.net.
