1. Locally grown food tastes better

Food grown in the Treasure Valley was probably picked within the last day or two and is crisp, sweet, and loaded with flavor. Produce flown or trucked in from California, Mexico, China or New Zealand is much older and possibly picked green and gassed to coax ripening. We are lucky in Boise to have a staggering diversity of fruit orchards, 3 season vegetable farms, grass-fed beef & lamb, range fed poultry, fresh dairy and more.

2. Local produce is better for you

Fresh produce loses nutrients quickly, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality. Buying local lets you get food that is at the peak of flavor and nutritional value. Our bodies naturally crave seasonal crops, requiring more hearty potatoes and cabbages when weather turns colder, and lighter salad greens and cucumbers when it is warmer. Shopping locally tunes you in with the seasons.

3. Local Food Preserves Genetic Diversity

The modern industrial food system favors varieties with thick skins that can survive packing and shipping, leaving little variety. Family farmers place value on different things, like choosing varieties that are uniquely suited to the Treasure Valley, often favoring heirloom varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation. Old varieties contain genetic material from hundreds of years of human selection; they may someday provide the genes needed to create varieties that will thrive in a changing climate.

4. Local food is Genetically Modified Organism Free

A June 2001 survey by ABC News showed that 93% of Americans want labels on gmo food – most so that they can avoid it. Biotech companies currently only license gmo fruits and vegetables to large commercial growers, which means that local farmers will guarantee a non-gmo source.

5. Local food supports local farming families

We need to support talented and hardworking farm families from disappearing, as each 5 year agricultural census shows they are – less than 2% of the population is currently a farming family. A typical farmer gets paid 10 cents of the retail food dollar, but buying directly from the producer or conscientious retailer keeps more $ in their pocket and their family on the land. A few of our local farm families include: City Gardens, Earthly Delights, Rice Family Farms, M&M Heath Family Farm, Sunset Butte Organics, Ballard Cheese, Rolling Stone Goat Cheese , Jack Kleeb-Turkey Ridge Farm, Morning Owl Farm, Clover Leaf Dairy, The Mushroom Ranch, Canyon Bounty Farm, Purple Sage, H&H, Gastons Bakery, Granny’s Farms, Hard Ball Farm Pork, Lava Lakes Lamb, Meadowlark Farm and numerous others.

6. Local food builds community

Chat with Becky Morgan at Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) or discuss heirloom wheat with Beth Rasgorshek at Canyon Bounty Farm – it’s a great connection for eater and grower. Knowing farmers gives you insight into the seasons, the weather, and the accessible miracle of raising food. Go to www.treasurevalleyfoodcoaltion.org for a complete listing of local farmers.

7. Local food preserves open space

When more people put their dollars into the pockets of farmers and show that their work is valuable, farmland becomes less likely to be developed. We face enormous pressures in the Treasure Valley with a high migration rate, putting our area at particular risk.

8. Local Food benefits wildlife

The habitat of a farm – the patchwork of fields, meadows, woods, ponds and buildings – is the perfect environment for many beloved species of wildlife, including bluebirds, herons, bats, rabbits, and eagles.

9. Local food supports a clean environment

If recent air quality alerts are any indication, land-use in our area may not always be in our collective best interest. A family farm however, is a place where resources like fertile soil, clean water and pollution free air are valued. According to some estimates, farmers who practice conservation tillage can sequester 12-14 % of the carbon emitted by vehicles and industry.

10. Local food is about the future

By supporting Treasure Valley farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in our community tomorrow, and that future generations will enjoy all the jerusalem artichokes, heirloom potatoes, goat cheese, kale, eggs, strawberries, peaches, pasture raised poultry, grass fed dairy & beef and more that this region has to offer.

Think Local First

*List courtesy of Dave Krick, owner of Red Feather and Bittercreek restaurants

Tim Sommer, Purple Sage Farms

Middleton, ID: tsommer@speedyquick.net

You may recall that this past fall, I attempted to peel an onion–that is, I considered our place in the world, assessing our impact upon others and the planet through how we live. If I came to any answer, it was to the idea of a strong and vibrant self-sustaining local community. That was where I could see hope. And it is exactly these ideas, heralding the local community as the solution, and disproving the myth of the tragedy of the commons for which Elinor Ostrom won the 2009 Nobel Prize in economics.

As a means of communicating the importance of our local community, I’m taking the produce blog on the road. My intention is bring our growers closer to you by showing you what they do, and who they are. So at this time, I’m pleased to introduce to you Tim and Tamara Sommer of Purple Sage Farms.

Purple Sage Farms in Middleton, ID is a Certified Organic producer of Herbs and Salad Greens. This family operation has been a certified organic producer for over 20 years now. In fact, Tim helped create the Idaho organic certification legislation with other local organic growers Nate Jones and Mike Heath. Purple Sage not only sells their greens to the Boise Co-Op, but also to local CSAs, outdoor markets, and local restaurants, such as the “just eat local” beacon, Bittercreek Alehouse.

The operation consists of 12 large greenhouses that are all planted and operated by hand. During the peak of their season, the staff consists of a crew of about 7–of course all but just a couple are family members. The farm is run as a sustainable closed loop system, growing not only the herbs in the greenhouses, but also growing grass upon which goats and sheep are pastured which environmentally balances the system. The animals help close the loop and put back into the soil what the plants remove, which makes Purple Sage a small family farm in the traditional sense, self-sustainable, where most of the family’s food is produced right there.

(the rosemary greenhouse felt like a lush garden even in early march!)

As I toured the farm, I was curious to know what made a farmer tick. Tim is an exceedingly interesting person. In each green house, he exuberantly fed me something right out of the ground. Baby Kale. Watercress. Chives. It was all wonderful and exotically complex. Sharp and tasty.

Tim fits no farmer stereotype with a degree in marketing from ASU and business background chasing million dollar marketing contracts in California’s Orange County. Despite all that, both he and his wife were Middleton High grads. I guess he just needed to see world. Though he and his wife were not high school sweethearts, they did eventually become romantically involved while living in the Seattle area. They married and returned home to Middleton, where they raised their three children. It was a sense of community that brought them back. And we are glad to have them as a part of our family. I know I certainly enjoy his hard work, and I think you should too! Try some of his greens, they are tremendous!

We’ll close with a  photo of Tim taken in his music room. That’s what he does for fun. He plays both American folk and Irish/Scottish traditional folk music both for fun at home and live around town with a band. And that’s Tim & Purple Sage, one of your local family farmers. Enjoy!

~Douglas Bolles

Happy Spring, everyone! We’re thrilled to offer a brand new series of classes for the home gardener, just in time for growing season! Three of our favorite local farmers will share their wisdom on three consecutive Tuesday evenings:*

Growing Spectacular Vegetables
with Josie Erskine of Peaceful Belly Farm
Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
http://www.peacefulbelly.com

Always wanted to grow a vegetable garden but not know where to start? Have questions about tomatoes and all the different types? This class is for you. Come learn a few insider tricks on making your veggie garden rock. Josie Erskine from Peaceful Belly will pack as much information as she can in a class about veggie gardens and how to make yours better. We will talk about choosing the right plants for your yard. What compost to use. Drip irrigation systems and so much more.

Raised-Bed and Container Gardening
with Mary E. Rohlfing of Morning Owl Farm
Tuesday, April 27, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
http://www.morningowlfarm.com

At Morning Owl Farm, raised beds are used to grow approximately 30% of the certified organic produce the farm sells to subscribers, restaurants, and the public at their own seasonal farm market in East Boise. They know all the ins and outs of growing vegetables in containers and raised beds, and this class will help you prepare to master the art yourself!

Saving Water and Going Native in Your Landscape
with Diane Jones of Draggin’ Wing Farm
Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
http://www.waterthriftyplants.com

This class will provide you with the basics for transforming a traditional lawn-based landscape into a yard with more beauty, more life but less water and less work! Slides will be used to illustrate different approaches to xeriscaping (“xeri”=”dry”), including the appropriate use of native plants.

*Classes are $25 each for Boise Co-op members, and $35 each for non-members.
All three classes will be held at the Muse Building at 1317 W. Jefferson Street in Boise. Space is limited, so sign up early! Please sign up at the Co-op Customer Service Desk, or by calling 472-4500.*

–<–@ Look forward to seeing you there, and Happy Planting! –<–@

Although St. Patrick’s Day has passed, many claim March as “Irish Heritage Month.” That said, let’s explore a bit of the darker side of the heritage, taking pause to understand why the Irish Potato Famine occurred and why we should appreciate our local growers.  *Please note that our local, organic potato season is beginning to wind down. Don’t worry, they are planting more, but do take advantage of these great spuds while they last!*

Little, local farms have worries similar to those of industrial farms, but they don’t have the same risks involved compared to that of a monoculture system -(the growing of just one kind of crop in an area).  What “little” does well is diversity, probably because that is the only way to survive. A little of this, and a little of that and that’s how they try and stay balanced and insure themselves against loss. Of course no one gets rich this way. . .

The Irish potato famine was an example of a worst case scenario faced by a society built upon a monoculture. Because the potato was such a staple food for such a large number of the population, the Irish people faced starvation in the mid 19th century when large numbers of the potato crops failed due an infectious blight. Nature prevents a whole system from collapsing though genetic diversity. Humankind on the other hand has a tendency to breed out diversity by growing only those things that are profitable, durable, or inexpensive. This is what happened in Ireland. Due to the lack of genetic diversity, one pathogen devastated the one plant sustaining large numbers of the population. This is the risk of a monoculture system.

Some similar interesting lessons in the underpinnings of various past societies are noted in Jared Diamond’s recent book, Collapse. In one instance he showed  a “chain” of civilizations tenuously built upon one another by trading with each other for their staple foods and survival. And just like a monoculture, when one link in the chain fell, the whole structure was brought down! It’s a pretty scary book. Maybe not a good one for Spring. Better for the Autumn.

Of course our local guys are building diversity by planting what works in their area, and doing things that create a sustainable, closed-loop system. We are actually very lucky to have such great farmers growing the very best and healthiest foods just for us. We live in Eden. Truly, I hope you realize this!

Happy Irish Heritage Month from your friends in Produce where we always wear our green.

And take a look at the end of the winter citrus crop. It is outrageous!

~Douglas Bolles

Speaking of green, you can get fresh wheatgrass year-round in our Produce Department!

So who was St. Patrick? Well, he was a 5th century someone of Roman/British heritage who was taken as a slave to Ireland when he was 16, but who had a religious calling and eventually escaped. He later returned as a Catholic priest to convert those who held him to a new way of thinking. He was also an early abolitionist and feminist. He died on March 17th of some unagreed upon year which is celebrated as his feast day. And all that was a long way of saying that we are supposed to wear Irish green that day, and perhaps eat Corned Beef and Cabbage. And we’ve got your organic cabbage!

The green is good though. It is a hint of what is really about to come. It is the kick off for another season of eating in the Produce Department. When the fresh spring produce begins arriving, it will be difficult to not swoon. The colors become so vibrant and our little produce section is transformed into a garden of earthly delights. Look for this explosion of color. It is on the way:

It is also a time for green shoots and new beginnings. There has been a desire on the part of our employees and members to get to “know” our local community of farmers better–to experience who they are, and what they do. This is my green shoot for this produce season. I’m going to take on the job of becoming your intrepid Produce Reporter. I’ll load up the kids on the weekends and we’ll get out to the various local farms and meet the people who grow the wonderful things that we eat all summer long. I’ll bring my camera and ask some of those questions that we’ve always wondered. These meetings will likely appear on the Boise Co-op website, but I will be sure and highlight them in the newsletter. It sounds like I have my work cut out for me. Who should we start with? I’m thinking Purple Sage.

As for your March produce month, be sure and sample things as they become available. You can tell when things are “happening” by their color. You will be amazed at how the produce changes over the course of this month. Try something new. One suggestion is perhaps an Irish stew with turnips and rutabagas. The broccoli is looking beautiful. Asparagus is going to happen this month and become amazing! Keep you eyes on fresh greens too. They get so good!

And I suppose there is that. . . how about a Caesar salad to go with your Ides of March? The Ides of March is the 15th, a day previously held as a festival day for the god Mars, honored with military parades, but now more well known as the day Caesar was assassinated. He ignored the warning. Let’s render unto Caesar a salad and get ready for a great season of spring produce.

So whether it comes in like a lion or lamb, enjoy March, and this new spring.

Be Well!

By Douglas Bolles, Produce Department Philosopher

The Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) is an incredible local organization that engages youth, their families, classrooms and community through organic gardening.  This learning environment is instrumental in providing much needed education about the benefits of a sustainable local food system, overall personal nutrition and health, environmental protection and awareness, and the importance of community-mindedness in the development of a local, sustainable economy.  

Boise Urban Garden School is now offering Adult/Family Workshops for 2010!! Check out this great line-up:

January 23: Home Composting

The ultimate approach to “reduce (your curbside garbage), reuse (your nutrients), recycle (your waste).” And it’s not icky!

January 30: Backyard Chickens

Food, Fertilizer & Pest Control – your complete introduction to raising this amazing food source (and great pet), family-style!

February 20: Square Foot Gardening

Sustainable, intensive backyard gardening that’s fun for everyone. Great for that “postage stamp” yard, and big gardens too!

March 20: Pest Management

Techniques to beat the bugs without the chemicals for a healthier family, healthier pets, and a healthier environment.

September 18: Preservation I

Saving the harvest for winter. Freezing and canning techniques for better eating all year long.

October 2: Preservation II

Using solar dehydrators to store up more of the harvest. Drying techniques for winter nutrition and great taste.

———-

Sign up now to take part in these wonderful, sustainable community classes!  Workshops will meet from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Backyard Chickens will be held at the instructor’s home, 5323 Hill Rd.  All other classes will be held at the BUGS site, at 4821 W. Franklin Rd. Cost per class is $40. Kids and spouses are free! Reserve your place NOW by sending a check (and noting the desired workshops on the check) to Boise Urban Garden School, P.O. Box 833, Boise, ID 83701.

More information is also available at www.boiseurbangardenschool.org or by contacting Susan Medlin at ssmedlin@peoplepc.com

For over 100 years, the Treasure Valley Family YMCA has been providing young people with lasting memories in their resident camping programs in Valley County. Amidst the beauty of nature, Y Camp has always promoted the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

The Y has now entered into an exciting new era with the opening of YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir this past summer! Only occasionally in the past 50 years has a new Y Camp been built in the United States, and this rare opportunity to create one in the mountains of Idaho is something everyone in our region can be proud of.

Operating Y Camp is a costly venture, and the Boise Co-op wants to help the YMCA continue to provide this incredible opportunity to families in our area. So, on November 10, we will donate 4% of our net sales for the entire day to this program. Please mark you calendar and plan to shop your socks off that day!

The milk in glass bottles is back!!!

Cloverleaf Creamery is a family-owned farm out of Buhl, Idaho.   As weather permits, the farm is home to roughly 70 cows, all 100% pasture raised registered Holsteins.  The cows are always pampered and given the best possible feed and care.  Every one of them has a name!  Because of the care and consideration given the animals, the Cloverleaf cows live and milk well into their teenage years.  Lots of pride is taken in this family run operation.

Milk is always hormone and antibiotic-free.  Whole milk is non-homogenized with a cream top!  Delicious and good for you, good for the cows!!!