Buying local foods year-round? (Denver)

[SeattliteChower]

I know that Denver doesn't have a year-round farmer's market like Eastern Market in D.C. or Pike Place Market in Seattle, so where do you shop for local produce and other products in the winter? Do you just visit Sunflower Market or Whole Foods, or are there secret places I am missing?

[ClaireWalter]

Not only don't we have year-round farmers' markets, but we don't have much that grows here in the cold months. There are a few growers that do hot house tomatoes and other produce, and one -- Osage Gardens -- that grows herbs year-round and is starting to put in a bit of other produce as well. I believe that their herbs are available at Whole Foods and perhaps Vitamin Cottage. Wholle Foods, Sunflower, Marczyk's in Denver and even select King Soopers and Safeways carry local products when they can. Coleman Beef is from Coloraod, as is (obviously). Colorado lamb and also some farm-raised trout. Or are you only asking about produce?

[SeattliteChower]

Thanks for your reply - I am looking for produce but also other items. I guess I need to get used to this cold weather thing - and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on secret foodie shopping spots in Denver!

[ClaireWalter]

If you are missing a "secret spot," I've been missing it for years. :-) Last Saturday, the Boulder County Farmers Market held a pre-Thanksgiving indoor/outdoor market. (See http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/... for the local paper's report.) . In mid-December, there will be a produce and crafts market at the Boulder Couny Fairgrounds in Longmont. More hardy winter produce. But it's not Denver.

[ColoradoFun]

Wondering what winter crops are produced in Washington state? Can you grow produce year round? I really have no idea. I kind of assumed during the winter produce primarily came from Cali, Florida or international?