The Boulder Food Chain
In the winter of 2007 a few producers in Boulder decided to jump start a cooperative sustainable agricultural initiative. The idea was to start with one small attainable goal giving producers an opportunity to work collectively in the sustainable agriculture continuum.
The broad concept of sustainable agriculture considers farming practices that promote the health of the natural resource base on which farmers rely, profitability of the farmers, and the success and health of the community—all aligned with the fact that many residents have gravitated to Boulder so that they can grow their own food and live closer to the land.
The demonstration project for the 2008 season was a local farmers market. A call was made to gauge community interest in a market and the response was very encouraging. Not only did local consumers suggest vegetables they love to eat but also identified themselves as backyard gardeners with something to share. The Boulder Food Chain gained as many contributors to this local effort as consumers.
By choosing a farmers market project, The Boulder Food Chain considered two very important elements in the path to sustainability: community relationships and small farm health. Within the context of this small and isolated community, producing and consuming food locally reduced the energy costs associated with buying from afar and helped to sustain the local farmer and gave all a chance support each other in a public forum.
The first Food Chain project was very successful. The weekly farmers market was held from mid July 2008 to the end of September at the Burr Trail Outpost and Grill in Boulder. The market was well-attended, attracting visitor and local consumers. There was a dedicated group of vendors selling a variety of produce, handmade goods and services. This market will continue in 2009. Working together on this small project helped the Food Chain began to develop the collective skills necessary for larger goals and challenges in the future while drawing in members of the community and visitors to Boulder.
The long term vision of the Boulder Food Chain is to continue to support and promote sustainable agriculture in Boulder. Some ideas are a heritage seed exchange, collective grain harvesting equipment and a collective USDA approved kitchen for the production of a value added product. This kitchen could allow all of us to produce our specialty and work together on one unique product. Delivery trucks servicing the amenities businesses in Boulder don’t have to leave this town empty. Sustainable agriculture is Boulder’s past and will be an important element of its future.
