Grant will help connect consumers with farm produce

BOULDER — A federal grant will help propel a multi-year campaign to support direct sales between consumers and farmers.

The Boulder County Farmers Markets has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Beginning Wednesday, the markets will employ a fleet of pedicabs to bring people around Boulder to the markets on 13th Street, where they can buy farm produce directly from farmers. The cabs will run from 4 until 7 p.m. The campaign also will include signage and other promotion. 

“All it takes to make a difference is swapping just five grocery store products with farmers market items. Five minutes to swing through the farmers market and pick up a sack of peaches. Five friends to invite to a farmers market,” BCFM executive director Mackenzie Sehlke said in a written statement. “The point is small steps yield truly profound impacts on the quality, vibrancy and breadth of our local food system.”

Farmers-market visitors who attend the Sept. 7 Boulder market will encounter the first of regular appearances of a “Take 5 For Local” tent in both Boulder and Longmont locations. Market employees staffing the tents can explain how the challenge works, and hand out rewards to participants, according to a press release about the program.   

“The density of talented farmers in Boulder County is astounding. Their healthy contributions to our soil, biodiversity and food access stand as foundations of this county’s world-renowned dynamism and quality of life,” Sehlke said. “We are eager to welcome more and more residents into our county’s farmers markets and are thrilled to get started with this exciting Take 5 For Local campaign.”

Source: BizWest