March 14, 2010:
A Cornucopia of Local (video)
More than 40 farmers and Boulder County Farmers’ Market local businesses gathered at the Boulder Outlook Hotel on Nov. 21 to have one big celebration of local!
This event was originally designed to support local agriculture and provide a way for local food growers and producers to find their way to the Thanksgiving tables of local families past the ending of the outdoor Boulder Farmers’ Market season.
But like all things in Boulder, the event took on a life of its own, featuring a full schedule of panelists and speakers on subjects ranging from back yard chickens, the benefits of community supported agriculture, and the importance of healthy school lunches. The conference rooms at the Outlook Hotel Lobby were busting with open hearts and encouraging head nods indicating yet again that any preaching of supporting local, natural, and healthy lifestyle needs little convincing to a Boulder choir.
Dan King, the local owner and operator of the Boulder Outlook is proud to support all things local and generously donates the space to the event. He loves for the hotel to be a part of the community, and watch their space fill with the abundance of farm fresh veggies, good people, and good causes. The Outlook also hosts a number of farmers year round as a distribution point for their community shared agriculture programs.
Each year the Boulder County Farmers’ Markets picks one local non-profit to partner with to donate a portion of their proceeds. This year the School Food Project was chosen. The vision of the School Food Project spearheaded by Chef Ann Cooper is that all children of Boulder Valley School District will have daily access to fresh, flavorful and nutritious food made with wholesome and when possible, local ingredients, so that every child may thrive. This partnership of non-profits seemed as natural and meant to be as Justin’s all natural peanut butter and Morton’s Organic Jelly.
1,000 Boulderites came out to shop, listen to panelists, hang out, and soak up the local abundance. This is an important event that seeks to educate, create community, raise money for good causes, and allow the Boulder County Farmers’ Markets foods to make their way to the dining room tables of Boulder County families for most important meal of the year—Thanksgiving.
Special thanks to Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of Boulder Independent Business Alliance, who organized and facilitated the schedule of panelists and speakers on subjects ranging from back yard chickens, the benefits of community supported agriculture, and the importance of healthy school lunches.
