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Community Ag Alliance: Be a Yamapvore — shop local

Michelle Meyer/For Steamboat Today

What is a Yampavore? A person who eats, drinks, consumes and uses locally grown food and products from the Yampa Valley. Join the Yampavore movement, and buy local food and products. Several opportunities to do so are coming up.

Community Agriculture Alliance will sponsor the annual Hometown Holiday Market event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at Bud Werner Library Hall. What makes this event truly unique is that 100 percent of the products and food are local.

This is not your typical craft fair — everything is made, grown, created or raised right here in the Yampa Valley. This wonderful community tradition is also a great opportunity to get a jump on holiday gift shopping or treat yourself. More than 25 local producers will attend with their products on display and for sale. Stop by to shop and meet the passionate, caring, talented locals who make, grow and bake local products. From soaps and lotions to jewelry and local food, there truly is something for everyone.



Another option is to shop online at the Community Ag Market at caamarket.org. This website offers weekly ordering of local food and products with no minimum order required. Consumers can shop anytime from Monday through noon Thursday. Those placing orders can pick them up between noon and 5 p.m. every Friday at the CAA offices, located at Ninth and Oak streets in downtown Steamboat.

Products vary by season … currently available are local pork, beef and lamb, farm fresh eggs, homemade baked goods, seasonal produce — including certified organic potatoes, bread, coffee, tea and much more.



Need even more motivation to be a Yampavore?

• When you spend a dollar locally, it multiplies. Locally owned businesses tend to do business with other local businesses. They bank locally, advertise in local newspapers and purchase local services such as accounting and printing. They hire local employees and pay local taxes. Each time a dollar is re-spent in the local economy, it’s like new income, creating a multiplier effect rather than leaking out of our community.

• Local producers/owners are local contributors. These are the businesses and products that give back to our local nonprofits, not only financially, but also through in-kind donations and their volunteer time. They support our schools, sports teams and countless other organizations.

• Our local businesses/products are an integral part of what makes the Yampa Valley unique. It adds that special something extra and helps define who we are as a community with products ranging from Sailor Granola to Bear Fat Soap and grass-fed beef to local bacon.

• Buying locally enables you to know your producer/farmer/business owner. Talk directly with the person making, baking, growing and creating the product you are purchasing. Ask them questions, develop a relationship and learn what makes their product special. If you have a problem or question, they will fix it and stand behind their products.

• Buying local reduces environmental impact. When products are made/grown here, transportation costs are reduced, creating a win-win for both economic and environmental impact.

• A wide range of unique, affordable products are produced locally. You’ll be surprised at the diversity of local products and dispel the myth that they cost more.

For more information call the Community Agriculture Alliance at 970-879-4370 or visit communityagalliance.org

Michele Meyer, is local food/product coordinator for Community Agriculture Alliance.


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