Pikes Peak Swap Dec 15 in Colorado Springs

Swap Sheets

The next Pikes Peak Swap is Saturday, December 15th, 2 pm, at First United Methodist Church, downtown Colorado Springs at 420 N. Nevada Ave.  Here’s a link to the FREE signup:

Basic information:
We are a Colorado Springs, Colorado-based free community “swap” inspired by similar groups around the country.  We are passionate about building community around the Pikes Peak region, meeting like-minded people, and learning from one another through swapping homemade food and goods in a social setting. Last year, we affiliated with Mile High Swappers to get the word out about our swaps and make signups easier. (Did you know that there are swaps in Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins, too?)

Here’s how it works: Bring 6 or more of your home made products and swap with others. Many swappers bring several types of items for the most variety! We are primarily a food swap, but we have traded for body care products (hand made), herbs, magazines (produced by the swapper!) and some crafts. All items must be made by the swapper, and we encourage the use of local, organic ingredients as much as possible.

Example of items to bring for bartering:

•Fresh produce, fruit, sprouts, and herbs from your garden.
•Backyard/Farm fresh eggs, cheese, baked goods, savory snacks
•Preserved, pickled, fermented items, vegetarian soups, stocks
•Homemade condiments, dips, spreads, and toppings
•Handmade soaps, lip balms, lotions, and other beauty products
•Crochet/knitted items, handmade jewelry, handmade cards, etc
•Useful garden tools, household and camping/backpacking items
•Homemade flavored salts, spice blends, seasonings
•Seeds, seedlings, compost, soil
•Homemade soda pop, fruit juices, drink mixes

So, get your creativity going, make something fun, and come to the swap! Bring your generous spirit, learn from and share with others, trade recipes, get to know others who love making their own food and products.

Etiquette –

Out goal is to build community and friendships.  We don’t actually have “rules,” but here are a few things to keep in mind:

•  No money.  Remember this is a free community event!
•  Please do not bring any homemade alcoholic beverages to swap! According to the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Liquor Enforcement, it is legal to make beer, wine, and liquor at home in Colorado but not legal to sell alcoholic beverages without a license.  Bartering is defined as selling here, so swappers can be ticketed for swapping liquor.
• If you don’t want to “swap,” gifting is also encouraged.
• We use “swap tags.”  Basically you write down your name and item on the tag and there is a space for people to write down their bids below.  We ask you to print your own tags since this is a free event, we want to save on ink and paper.  Link to download the sheet (there are four tags per sheet, you’ll need to cut them yourself) Swap Sheets.  Please use 1 tag per item that you bring!
• If you bring a food item with multiple ingredients, please label the item with all ingredients.
• It would be nice to know who brought what, so also try to label your items with your name and/or Twitter handle.
• Try to bring a cooler (ice chest).  There are usually a few things that are brought that need to be kept cold.
• Canned items should have the date the items were canned.  It’s really important that you are experienced with canning, we recommend that you refrain from bringing canned meat items.  If you are not experienced with canning, please read important information here! If you bring something that is not canned using a water bath or pressure cooker, please make a note of that on the items!
• Be careful swapping for future items or work! You may have an easier time swapping if you have something tangible to offer.
• If possible, bring samples for people to try.
• Fresh and homemade items will be easier to swap. Please avoid bringing store-bought items, unless you need something for samples (ie. crackers for homemade hummus).
• Package your items in a useable size!
• Since this is a free social gathering, there are no government safety regulations for items being swapped.  Everyone attending is responsible for themselves, Pikes Peak Community Cupboard is not responsible for any issues caused by swapped items.  Please swap responsibly!
•  HAVE FUN!

Sign up for information emails and first notice of swap signups at milehighswappers.com.

Pikes Peak Swap October 21st

It’s fun and easy – you bring a few of your homemade or home grown items to swap and you bring home the same number of other people’s homemade goodies. Swaps are a great way to show off your skills and fill your pantry with excellent deliciousness.

To get more information or to sign up for swap news, go to Mile High Swappers.

To sign up for the October swap, go to http://PikesPeakSwapOctober.eventbrite.com

Swap Sheets

Local Food Week Specials Sept 8 -16!

Pizzeria Rustica:  local gelato (all week); locally foraged wild mushroom & goat cheese pizza (Sept 11); Country Roots heirloom tomato salad with local goat cheese burrata caprese salad (Sept 13); What IF? Festival with Rusticater and local ingredients (Sept 15)   http://www.whatif-festival.org/21.html

 

TAPAteria:  We will be featuring roasted Larga Vista Melrose peppers, grilled peaches, Tortilla Colorado ( using local- goat milk, eggs, peppers, potatoes, onions, and herbs all from Venetucci Farms), Front Range shish kebabs (using local- marinated beef, onions, peppers, tomatoes and basil chimichurri); TAPAteria will also be providing gift cards as door prizes and donating local food for the Community Dinner (Sept 16)

Local Food Week, September 8 – 16, 2012

 Come learn about local food, taste, share and explore! Check out the events and food specials at participating restaurants, and share the synergy of working, playing and celebrating together!

Saturday, Sept. 8^th:

 9 AM – 1PM Chef’s Cook Off: Takes place during the market at The Margarita at Pine Creek, 9am-1pm, although the judging will happen before the market ends. info@farmandartmarket.com

10:00AM -12:00PM – Canning Class at Venetucci Farm. Join us for this outdoor canning class on the farm!  They will provide fresh vegetables, just harvested from the fields, for us to preserve. We will discuss how pickling preserves low acid foods, as well as the process of water bath canning, including safety.  Visit the farm stand from 9AM – 1PM to buy fresh produce and make more at home.  Class is $30 and limited to 12 people.

Contact Bonnie Simon to register: bnnsimon@gmail.com.

Sunday, Sept.9^th:

2 PM – Mountain Song Community School Wellness Event, “FRESH” movie
Penrose Library, 20 North Cascade Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Mountain Song Community School is committed to supporting the whole health of each student and our extended community of Colorado Springs. Join us for our Back to School Wellness event where we will hear a short talk by Mina Liebert, Director of LiveWell Colorado Springs, sample some nutritious home-made snacks, and receive recipes for quick and healthy weeknight meals, packed lunches, and snacks. There will be some great door prizes such as cooking classes from Pause to Eat, and Tabor Mountain Bakehouse, and reusable lunch containers. And we will screen ‘FRESH’ The Movie which celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. All this will begin at 2 p.m. in the Carnegie Reading Room at Penrose Library downtown Colorado Springs. Some content in the movie may not be suitable for young children, there are some childcare spots available.

https://www.facebook.com/mountainsongschool

Contact Neah Douglas; 503.432.1719, neahdouglas@gmail.com

Monday, Sept. 10^th:

Movie; “Bag It”– 6:30 – 8:30PM – Manitou Springs Library

Tuesday, Sept 11^th:

12:00 – 1:00PM; Lunch n’ Learn – Food Drying & Fermentation. Contact Debbie Walker, 719-475-8618 or tkcupboard@gmail.com, for more information.

10:00AM – 12:00PM; Harrison Urban Garden – Ribbon Cutting; remarks at 10:30 and light refreshments; the public is welcomed.

5:00PM – 9:00PM Bristol Brewery Karma Night! $1 from every beer sold will benefit the Colorado Springs Community Alliance and the Community Dinner, which closes out Local Food Week on September 16th.

6:00PM – 8:30PM: COOKING CLASS: Tabor Mountain Bake House, 1625 W. Uintah. International Tapas Class, featuring the best representation of Colorado produce at the time. Growers highlighted; Venetucci, Frost, Hanagan Farms & Larga Vista. Class size is limited to 8 students and cost is $65 per person. Class starts at 6pm and runs roughly 2 1/2 hours.  Contact Chef Angela Valencia; 719-429-2302 or tabormtnbakehouse@gmail.com; www.tabormountainbakehouse.com.  Payments must be made at time of sign-up.  We accept cash, check or credit cards.  Class size is limited to 8 persons.

Menu:

Patatas Bravas with Aioli – Colorado Potatoes, tomatoes, Savory Spices, Farm Fresh eggs

Pinchos Murunos-Moorish Style Pork Skewers – Local Pork Loin, Savory Spices

Xato-Spanish Salad with Romesco Vinagrette – Fresh Roasted red peppers, Savory Spices, bitter greens like curly endive or arugula, Eggs

Spanish Tortilla-Egg and potato omelet – Colo Potatoes, Onions, Eggs

Dessert-Almond Torte –  Eggs

Wednesday, Sept 12^th:

4:00PM – 7:00PM Salsa Tasting with Chef Heather,  Colorado Farm and Art Market at the Fine Arts Center!

12:00PM – 1:00PM – Brown Bag Lunch n’ Learn – Seed Saving Library David Wooley – Community organizer, gardener, recently completed a Master’s degree at UCCS in Geography and Environmental Studies and currently works for the City of Fountain as a geospatial professional” – Manitou Springs Library.

Thursday, Sept 13th

12:00PM – 1:00PM: Lunch n’ Learn at Care and Share – Marcy and Dan Hobbs; “Seed to Table”. “The Local” Food Truck will be there, selling their fresh and local, natural and gluten-free dishes.

4:00PM: Local Food Bike Tour; cancelled.

8:00PM Movie “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” Margarita at Pine Creek; Limited to 50 seats, arrive early and order off the local menu or off the bar menu. Movie starts at dusk; In addition to the normal patio movie, this week The Margarita at Pine Creek screens “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” accompanied by an all-local prie fixe or bar menu for dinner. Make your reservation and be assured of a seat, if the weather turns.

$35/3 course, $42/5 course and bar menu from $3 – $20. RSVP to themargarita@att.net

Friday, Sept 14^th

10:00AM – “Self-care for Gardeners” – A complimentary event honoring those who make local foods possible. Location: Sun Pilates Studios; Event to include self-care massage & stretching of hands, enriching posture & breath movements for gardening and ointment recipes from the garden for the hands. RSVP either 719-460-4647 or 719-447-5662 to make appropriate accommodations for everyone. Sponsored by Sun Pilates Studio and Integrated Health Works.

12:00PM – 1:00PM: Lunch & Learn “Colorado Springs and a Year Round Farmers Market,” at Care and Share, 473-2306 for more information.

12:30PM – 1:30PM: Lunch & Learn: “Healthy Local Eating on a Budget”, Senior Center, 12:30-1:30pm, contact Judith at jricejon@gmail.com for more information.

5:30PM – 7:00PM –“Local Food, Local Funding” Chris Dwyer, President of LocalMotive Financial will explore how we as individuals, families, organizations and communities can employ alternative financial strategies to re-whole local food systems and otherwise make our region more sustainable. Location: Adam’s Mountain Café; RSVP to info@peaktoplains.com to be assured of a seat; Event is free; local appetizers and beverages available for purchase, made lovingly by the staff at Adams Mountain Cafe.

Saturday, Sept 15^th

All Day: What “if” Celebration – Booth: http://www.whatif-festival.org/ – 10:00AM – 4:00PM. Explore the idea of edible gardens and find volunteers who will be handing out fresh garlic.

School Garden Tour – 10:00AM – 12:00PM (pre-school thru college); 9:00AM – 2:00PM

Pikes Peak Swap. Trade  six or more of your home made food and products, and go home with half a dozen different home made items!  Debbie Walker’s Urban Homestead 2:00 – 3:30PM; Ivywild Area, signup and more info at  http://pikespeakseptember.eventbrite.com

Sunday, Sept 16^th

9 am – 12 PM“How to build a greenhouse” workshop: Learn how to build a greenhouse that requires no supplemental heating, even in winter. New or recycled materials can be used and it works at any altitude. Two-session class from 9am-noon with lunch provided by local-food-catering gurus at Bon Appetit, then finish your instruction from 1-4pm, at Tutt Science Center on the Colorado College Campus. $50 per person ($25 for students with a current I.D.); following the workshop, join Penn and Cord Parmenter for an intimate Meet-and-Greet from 4-6pm. To register: 203-984-8926 or  ccstudentfarm@gmail.com . To know more about the instructors:http://pennandcordsgarden.weebly.com/index.html

5:00 – 9:00PM; Community Dinner at beautiful Hillside Gardens. The culmination of Local Food Week, the Community Dinner is a potluck of fresh, local food hand made and shared in a celebration of community. Gypsy jazz music by Mango Fan Django, beer and wine available, more food than you can eat. More information and reserve a seat at http://springsalliance.webs.com/community-dinner.

Local Foods at the Market–Broadmoor Community Church, Mondays 9-1

Local Foods Colorado Springs was out at the second Monday for this new market (it opened Memorial Day). It turns out there are several local producers there, some of them familiar from other markets in town.

What a surprise to see A Joyful Noise Farm at this market! These guys are the real deal, folks–local (in Black Forest), sustainable, and raising a variety of veggies, meat, eggs and milk. OK, it was a surprise because I hadn’t seen them before–they haven’t sold in Colorado Springs. I hope this market sustains them, because believe me, we want them here. They grow veggies year-round, with a winter greenhouse–think about local food available in the winter…They’re hosting Joel Salatin on August 4th for a Farmer Seminar–look at their website for more info.

Stone Creek Farmstead is located up the pass near Divide. They are Colorado’s smallest licensed dairy, and produce goat cheese, goat milk soaps and lotions. They had run out of cheese Sunday at the Cherry Creek farmer’s market, so only had soap. They have added goats to the herd, and are working to increase production.

 Taylor Produce, from Palisade, Colorado, says he’ll be picking cherries in two weeks! That’s 20 days early, by his count. He’s got greenhouse tomatoes from Brush, Colorado, and mostly California produce, which he says he’ll switch to Colorado as the season grows in.

Running M Ranch is in Beulah, and has pastured Angus Beef. They sell ground beef at the market, and whole, half and quarter beef by order, limited quantities. Their beef is given access to grain during the last couple of months.

Mountain Man Honey says he has his bee hives all up and down the Front Range.

Anderson Meat company raises their meat in one of the plains states and distributes in Colorado. They have beef, lamb, pork and chicken. Not local, but a quality product.

There are a number of prepared food vendors, none of which use local sourcing for their products, so far. Standouts include Afternoon Delights, (whose card shows a cake but who was selling rice-paper wrapped rolls, which were delicious), and Monse, who sells a cabbage salad with a kick and papusas, kind of a stuffed tortilla.  Gotta Love It! was there with garlic butter and artisan pestos, and more from Mile High Whoopie Pie, Mountain Lightning Salsa, then the usual kettle corn, tamales, and tacos.

Body care company Lotion Bar Cafe makes their soaps and lotions locally.

There is the usual set of vendors selling jewelry and other sundries, which makes up about 2/3 of the market. Still, if you look around and ask questions, you can find good local food, which will increase in quantity as we get further into the growing season.

Dig in! New local foods opportunities in Colorado Springs.

Pike Peak Swaps

Bartering meetups featuring home made food and hand made crafts! No money is exchanged. Emphasis on local, natural ingredients.
Next swap is Sunday, May 6th at Care and Share Food Bank, 2605 Preamble Point.
pikespeakswap@gmail.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Plant a Row for the Hungry
Springs Plant a Row on Facebook or
springspar@yahoo.com
Plant a row of your garden and donate it to your local food bank to feed people in our community.  Harding Nursery, Phelan Gardens, Don’s Garden Shop, Homestake Nursery are partners, among others.

Community Gardens–Join one or start your own!

How to start a Community Garden:
http://www.ppugardens.org/community_gardens

Ranch Community Garden
NEW garden opens May 6, 2012:
4625 Ranch Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (Union/Academy)
http://RanchCommunityGarden.com

Volunteer Dates:
April 27th Noon to 5:00pm
April 28th 9:00am to 5:00pm
April 29th 9:00am to 5:00pm
May 4th Noon to 5:00pm
May 5th 9:00 am to 5:00pm

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado
2605 Preamble Pt, 80915
719-528-1247
Care and Share has a huge garden and can use help with its maintenance.   They also offer nutrition and cooking programs, children’s programs, and always need help sorting and packing food for clients.

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens
http://ppugardens.org/
651-3416
How to help: Donate time, supplies, wood, soil, compost, tools land, volunteers, etc.
email info@ppugardens.org for more info on how to help in these ways or to schedule a pick up/drop off of supplies.

Rock Ledge Ranch
3105 Gateway Road

Rock Ledge Ranch

719-578-6777
Whether you enjoy teaching, crafting, wood working, cooking, gardening, or simply interacting with interesting visitors from around the country and the world, we have a job for you!  Positions are available for interpreters in both historic and modern dress.

Venetucci Farms
5210 S US Hwy 85 Colorado Springs
Patrick, 719-391-8102
http://www.ppcr.org/impact/venetucci-farm/volunteer
Weekly volunteer days on Thursdays during the growing season, starting in April. Monthly volunteer days starting in April through October. See the website for details, or call.

 

Grow-it-yourself Resources

CSU Extension Service

Master Gardeners
636-8921
305 S. Union Blvd.   HYPERLINK http://www.cerc.colostate.edu/factsheet.html

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens
http://ppugardens.org/gardening_tips                                                                        651-3416
larry@ppugardens.org

Pikes Peak Permaculture
http://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/
PO Box 60098

Colorado Springs, CO  80906

INSTANT GARDENS:These folks will put in a vegetable garden for you and show you how to maintain it.

Blue Planet Earthscapes (Becky Elder)

http://www.blueplanet-earthscapes.com
685-0290

I Dig the Garden(Sara Foster)

473-6148

Community Supported

Agriculture (CSA)

Venetucci Farms (sold out for 2012)
5210 S US Hwy 85 Colorado Springs
719-391-8102
http://www.ppcf.org/impact/venetucci-farm
Vegetable and herbs. Chemical-free production, many heritage varieties. These shares sell out early in March. Pickup is at the Colorado Farm and Art Market.

Greenhorn Acres
5856 County Road HH.5, Fowler, 81039
719-263-4494
http://greenhornacres.com
Vegetables or fruit, full or half shares. No chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides; sustainable farming. Delivery to Colorado Springs.

Grant Family Farms
1020 WCR 72, Wellington, CO 80549
970-568-7654
http://grantfarms.com
Medium-scale organic farm in Northern Colorado. Veggie shares, fruit shares, egg, cheese and bread shares. Winter shares of storage fruits and vegetables, flour and beans. Meat and poultry available with share deliveries by special order. Free delivery to Colorado Springs.

Honey

The Honey Cottage
2429 W. Colorado Avenue
719-329-0525
thehoneycottage@aol.com
Honey sourced from local, Colorado and domestic producers. Honey snacks, beeswax, honeycomb, candles. Locally made jams and jellies, and Colorado food products.

Schmidt Apiaries
El Paso County; various locations
http://schmidtapiaries.com
Schmidt Apiaries honey is sold at Farmers Markets in Colorado Springs. One is the Old Colorado City Farmers Market, Saturdays 7 am-1:30 pm, W. Colorado Avenue and 24th Street.

Black Forest Honey
http://blackforesthoney.com
Black Forest Honey is sold at the R&R Coffee Cafe in Black Forest; The Black Forest Postal Services and Convenience Store (719-495-4498) and at the Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild Shows held twice a year at the Black Forest Community Hall. The R&R Coffee Cafe and the Black Forest Postal Services and Convenience Store are both located in Black Forest Square at 11425 Black Forest Rd.

Dairy

Raw milk herd shares:

Cow:

Larga Vista  Ranch
53505 Olson Road, Boone, 81025
719-947-0982
http://largavistaranch.com
Weekly share deliveries; contact for availability. You must visit the farm in Boone to get a milk share from Larga Vista; they are scheduled about once a month.

Goat:

Easter Egg Acres
25458 Big Springs Rd, Ellicot, 80808
719-683-5678
eastereggacres@aol.com
Goat milk shares with delivery to Colorado Springs.  Brunch farm tours, $10, appt required, goats, chickens, lambs, and piglets to visit.

Cheese:

Stone Creek Farmstead
http://stonecreekfarmstead.com
719-687-8671
Colorado’s smallest licensed dairy. Pasteurized goat milk cheese available at Woodland Park Farmers Market and Mountain Naturals, 790 Red Feather Lane, Woodland Park.

Mini Moos and Kids Too Dairy
1221 High Street, Canon City
719-431-3309
http://minimoosandkidstoo.com
Pasteurized milk and cheese. Available at natural stores and farmers markets.

Cheese making classes:

The Goat Cheese Lady
Lindsey Aparicio
west side Colorado Springs
http://TheGoatCheeseLady.com
719-651-9819
Classes in soft and hard cheese making, soaps and lotions, and bread baking. The original cheese making class gives you hands-on instruction in making mozzarella, ricotta and soft goat cheese. Milk the goats, make the cheese, gather eggs and then feast on a farm-fresh brunch.

Meats

Chicken:

Anderson Meat Company
Peyton, CO
719-338-7822
http://www.andersonmeat.com/index_files/Page391.htm
Anderson Meat Company is in Peyton, and sells poultry raised by Troyer Poultry. Troyer Poultry is near Delta, on the western slope. They raise pastured chickens during the growing season. They supplement with non-gmo, nonsoy, completely vegetarian feed. They do not use hormones and antibiotics. Ask for the discount on cases of 12 whole chickens.
You can read more about Troyer Poultry at http://www.eatwild.com/products/colorado.html#troyer

Ebert Farms
Byers, CO
303-288-5544
Fryer chickens will weigh around 4lbs and be $16 each or $15 if someone takes 10 or more. They are free range (grazing on green grass in mobile huts), non-soy and organic fed. Orders or questions can be emailed to Kres Ebert at milkers@ebertfarms.com. www.EbertFarms.com

Beef:

The Green Beef
Divide, CO
719-648-6616
http://www.thegreenbeef.com
Grass-finished, pastured heritage breed cattle, sustainable grazing practices, humanely raised. Whole, half, split quarter and sample packs available, pre-order only, deposit required.  SOLD OUT FOR 2012.

Lasater Grasslands Beef
Matheson, CO
866-454-2333
http://lgbeef.com
100% grass-fed, pastured cattle. Free delivery to Colorado Springs: discount for pickup in Colorado Springs.  Order online, purchase at Vitamin Cottage stores, or call. Individual cuts, bundles, whole beef.

Cattlemen’s Choice
Canon City, CO
719.285.8423
cattlemenschoicebeef.com
Grass-fed, humanely-raised. Finished with native grasses, grass hay and oat hay.
Whole, half and quarter beef, beef bundles, and individual cuts. Sold at Taste of Life, Monument, http://www.staffoflife.biz

The Elbert Meat Company
Elbert, CO
303-646-6364
http://www.theelbertmeatco.com
Grass-finished beef, no hormones or antibiotics; humanely raised.  Home delivery available to Colorado Springs.

Larga Vista  Ranch
53505 Olson Road, Boone, 81025
719-947-0982
http://largavistaranch.com
Pastured  grass-fed beef, no hormones or antibiotics, sustainably and humanely raised. Limited production.  Delivery to Colorado Springs.

Hanover Dexter Cattle Company at Rockin’ B Ranch
24895 Myers Road, Colorado Springs CO 80928
719) 683-8636 
http://www.coloradodexters.com
100% grass-fed, organic (non-certified), registered Dexter cattle, a heritage breed. No antibiotics or growth hormones, or use chemicals on the land. Sustainable grazing practices. Limited production; whole or half beef only (heritage cattle are smaller than commercial breeds) deposit required, CALL FIRST to assure availability. Free delivery to Colorado Springs.

Bison:

Black Forest Bison
100% grass-fed, pastured bison. No hormones or antibiotics, sustainable ranching practices. Cuts of bison, ground bison, bison jerky is available at their retail store, 1234 E Woodmen Rd. , 719.488.3898.

Pikes Peak Buffalo
Peyton, CO
719-266-0217
http://www.pikespeakbuffalo.com
100% grass-fed, pastured bison, no hormones or antibiotics. Company headquartered in Colorado Springs, meat processed in Colorado Springs, bison are pastured in Nebraska.

Lamb:

Chico Basin Ranch
22500 Peyton Hwy
719-683-7960
http://chicobasinranch.com
Naturally raised, pastured lamb. They take orders in October for November processing. Whole lambs only; 45-50 pounds net weight. (They also have ranch vacations, hunting and fishing trips and a working ranch experience).

Pork:

Venetucci Farms
5210 S. US Hwy 85
719-391-8102
http://ppcf.org/impact/venetucci-farm
Pastured naturally raised pork. Pre-order bulk; limited availability of individual cuts.

Larga Vista  Ranch
53505 Olson Road, Boone, 81025
719-947-0982
http://largavistaranch.com
Pastured  grass-fed pork, no hormones or antibiotics, sustainably and humanely raised. Limited production.  Delivery to Colorado Springs. Available at CO Farm and Art Market in season.

Locally Owned Groceries

Mountain Mama Natural Foods
1625-A West Uintah St.
633-4139
http://mountainmamanaturalfoods.com

Mountain Naturals
790 Red Feather Lane
Woodland Park
687-9851

Ranch Foods Direct
2901 N El Paso St
473-2306

Home

High quality all-natural beef,  free range chicken, produce from Arkansas Valley Organic Growers, local honey, seeds from Hobbs Family Farms, other local products in season.

Sammy’s Organics
830 Arcturus & South 8th St.
471-3348
http://sammysorganics.com

Sammy’s II
1837 North Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 630-1793

Close to Home for the Holidays–eating and giving locally in Colorado Springs

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FOR THE LOCAL FOOD RESOURCE GUIDE, GO TO THE NEXT ARTICLE: “DIG IN!” ———————————————————–>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/localfoodsCOS

Before I list some local sources for food and gifts, I’d like to ask you to think about the consequences of your purchases. Ask yourself before you buy something, “Do I need this? Does my friend (family, kid, whatever) need this?” One of the best gifts you can give that helps the local economy and saves precious resources is a donation to a local nonprofit in the recipient’s name.

Please note: these lists are subjective and incomplete, and are intended to start people thinking and talking about shopping and eating locally. If you would like to add your favorite local food or gift vendor in the comments, I welcome the input.

A few worthy local charities:
Catamount Institute http://www.catamountinstitute.org/
Palmer Land Trust http://www.palmerlandtrust.org/
Trails and Open Spaces http://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/
Care and Share http://careandshare.org/
Pikes Peak Community Foundation http://www.ppcf.org/
Here’s a link listings of local charities: http://www.charity-charities.org/Colorado-charities/ColoradoSprings.html

The most local, least wasteful gift is a gift certificate for a service from a local individual–such as a hairdresser, massage therapist, personal trainer, etc–or to a local restaurant.

RESTAURANTS
Here are some restaurants who use locally sourced ingredients whenever they can:

Adam’s Mountain Cafe http://adamsmountain.com/ Manitou Springs
Blue Sage Catering and Cafe http://www.thebluesagecafe.com/ Northwest
Margarita at Pine Creek http://www.coloradoeats.com/margarita/home.html North
Pizzeria Rustica http://pizzeriarustica.com/ Old Colorado City
The Broadmoor http://www.broadmoordining.com/ Southwest
The Conscious Table http://conscioustable.net Downtown

GIFTS OF LOCAL FOOD

Ranch Foods Direct http://www.ranchfoodsdirect.com/
Fillmore and El Paso. Naturally-raised beef, pork, chicken, salsas, fresh bread, more. Gift certificates and gift boxes.
Buffalo Peak Ranch http://www.buffalopeakranch.com/
Grass-fed beef and bison; pastured pork. Call them for Springs delivery.
Gotta Love It! Kitchen & Market http://www.gottaloveitmarket.com/
Old Colorado City. 16 locals make everything from spring rolls to cakes to salsa in this co-op kitchen, and sell their products in the storefront.
Mountain Mama Natural Foods http://mountainmamanaturalfoods.com/
Uintah and 17th. Lots of local products; ask for a tour.
Sparrowhawk Cookware http://www.sparrowhawkcookware.com/
Downtown on Tejon. All the cookware your favorite foodie needs; locally owned since 1979. They also have locally-roasted, fair-trade coffees and sustainable bamboo.

COOKING CLASSES

Hungry Chicken Homestead http://hungrychickenhomestead.com/
Old Colorado City. Click on “class schedule” for canning & preserving, fermented foods, natural cleaning products.
The Goat Cheese Lady http://thegoatcheeselady.com/schedule-of-classes/
Westside. Milk the goats, make three cheeses, feast on a farm-fresh brunch. Additional classes on hard cheeses, bread and soapmaking. Special kids’ classes.
Conscious Table http://conscioustable.net/
Downtown. Click on “event calendar” or call for classes. Check their Facebook page for updates.

JEWELRY AND GIFTS

A word here: most jewelry and gifts are not made in Colorado Springs. This is not news. But you can make a difference by shopping in locally-owned stores. Stores that have locally-made products are noted.

Commonwheel Artists Coop http://commonwheel.com/
Manitou Springs. 50 local artists showcase jewelry, pottery, photography, and more.
Mountain Living Studios http://www.mountainlivingstudio.com/
Manitou Springs. 150 artists and artisans from Colorado, many from Colorado Springs. Very high quality art; pieces range from very affordable to collector quality prices.
Business of Art Center http://www.thebac.org/
Manitou Springs. Artists’ studio space and incubator. Holiday show up through Jan. 9th.
abaTina abaTina’s Facebook page
Eighth St, southwest. So super-local, they don’t have a website! Unique and affordable gifts for women and babies; some made locally, many fair trade or helping women in other countries.
Yobel Market http://www.yobelmarket.com/store.html
Old Colorado City. Handcrafted products marketed through microfinancing and fair trade. Some CO products, including locally roasted coffees and Women’s Bean Project (Denver).
Saboz Saboz.com
Downtown on Tejon. Shoes, jewelry and accessories. Most not made locally, but the shop is locally owned. Saboz specializes in shoes that are stylish without sacrificing comfort.
Patricia’s Riches Patricia’s Riches Cards and Gifts
Downtown on Tejon. Locally-made jewelry; cards and gifts, coffee tea & wine accessories. In Poor Richard’s complex.

TOYS AND CHILDREN’S GIFTS

Little Richard’s Little Richard’s Toystore
Downtown. Voted “Best” every year since they opened in 1995. Unique selection, recycled and handmade items, prices range from inexpensive to extravagant.
Compleat Games and Hobbies http://compleatgamer.com/
Downtown. Compleat stocks board games you have never heard of but really, really want. Trust me. Model sets and more. Just go and explore.

BABY CLOTHING

There are lots of baby’s clothing stores in Colorado Springs. Here’s one that I thought was noteworthy, because the clothing is made locally by a Colorado Springs mom.

Little Bubbaloo http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBubbaloo

CLOTHING-resale

The most sustainable choice is used clothing. Here are some consignment and resale shops.

Eve’s Revolution http://evesrevolution.com/index2.php
West. Don’t let the hip music on the website scare you. Clothes for everyone. Selection varies.
Full-figure Resale http://fullfigureresale.com/
East. I have not shopped here, but thought it worthy of inclusion.
Encore Consignment http://www.encoreconsigners.com/
East. Large selection.
Broadmoor Consignment Broadmoor Consignment on Citysearch
Southwest. Good-quality, many designer items. Not your daughter’s store–more conservative styles.

CLOTHING-new

There are hundreds of clothing stores in the Springs, many of them locally owned. Go downtown, or to Old Colorado City or Manitou Springs for locally owned.

BOOKS

Support your local bookstore! When even national chains are going out of business, it’s more important than ever to buy from locally-owned stores to keep them alive.

Black Cat Books http://manitoubooks.com/
Manitou Springs. Shop and sip; Black Cat serves complimentary wine. They support and promote local authors. Go there to browse and chat about books.
Poor Richard’s Poor Richard’s Bookstore
Downtown. Started as a used bookstore, Poor Richard’s has added new books in popular categories.
Books for You http://www.booksforyou.us/
Eighth Street, southwest. Used bookstore, with an amazing selection. Well organized and easy to navigate. This is the place to go or call if you want a specific book.
Trillion Books (Bargain Book Warehouse) http://www.trillionbooks.com/
Downtown. A browser’s dream; organized loosely by category.

BODY CARE

Salus http://www.shopsalus.com/aboutus.asp
Manitou Springs. Locally made soaps, lotions, bath bombs and salts, shampoos, etc. You choose the (unscented, natural) product, then choose a scent to add, or leave it unscented. A huge boon for the scent-sensitive.
The Goat Cheese Lady http://thegoatcheeselady.com
West. The Goat Cheese Lady makes all natural goat’s milk soap, and gives soapmaking classes.