Boulder Farmers Market: Healthy Food for a Healthier Environment
The Boulder Farmers Market is a nonprofit organization created in 1987 by local farmers in Colorado as a way to connect with the community and help the environment. The market was first held at the Courthouse in Downtown Boulder and has been a seasonal attraction ever since.
“What started with a few tables of produce loaded off the backs of pickup trucks has evolved into robust destination markets in Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Denver, and Seeds Cafe located in the Boulder Public Library,” said Hannah Stewart, On Street Markets Operations Manager. “The handful of inspired farmers [have] expanded to include more than 150 local vendors, hosting the largest market season in the State of Colorado.”
According to Stewart, the Boulder Farmers Market has upheld a zero-waste plan in tandem with Boulder County’s Zero Waste Plan since 2005. Zero-waste helps the environment as it focuses people to look at their waste streams as potential resources that can be returned to the marketplace.
Zero waste is reducing, reusing, and recycling products that can potentially be used again as source materials in manufacturing. An example of zero waste is recycling a plastic water bottle as it can be used to make new plastic bottles. Composting can be a form of zero waste as it uses food scraps such as coffee grounds and banana peels to put them back into the earth to make nutrient rich soils which can grow more healthy crops.
Near and Dear is a vertical farm based in Longmont that participated in the Boulder Farmers Market during Fall 2021. Matt Koen, the founder and chief executive officer of Near and Dear discussed the benefits of vertical farming and growing aeroponically– when the roots are misted with water.
Vertical farming is an idea that allows farmers to farm on vertical surfaces versus traditional farming on horizontal surfaces. Food production can occur year round closer to where the food is consumed and food can be grown in smaller areas of land using less water, land and chemicals.
“We exceed organic standards in the sense that we don’t spray pesticides or herbicides,” said Koen.
City skyscrapers, warehouses and parking lots can house vertical farming operations and save enormous amounts of CO2 since less transportation is needed. Grocery stores in the future could maintain a vertical farm in their parking lot and supply fruits and vegetables directly to the store. A delicate balance of light, temperature and humidity is needed to successfully harvest food utilizing vertical farming. One downside to this method is that if this balance is not maintained then the entire crop could be lost.
Another vendor that participated at the Boulder Farmers Market was the Rough and Ready Farm, founded by Laura Quaranta and Dave Thomas.
“The abundance of small farms presented many job opportunities for me. Before settling in Longmont, I spent five years in western Europe dividing my time between earning my graduate degree and traveling farm-to-farm to earn my keep,” said Quaranta.
Quaranta said that the Rough and Ready Farm supports clean agricultural practices, water efficiency, and zero chemical use.
“The markets firmly maintain the farmers’ original vision. The nonprofit Boulder County Farmers Markets are producer-only markets: Our farmers and ranchers grow what they sell,” Stewart said.“Today, the markets serve as community gathering events, provide nourishment to neighbors, boost sustainable agriculture and support the local economy.”
The Boulder Farmers Market has been part of the Boulder community for 34 years since people have continually spent their time at the market to help the environment and get affordable products. The Boulder Farmers Market supports those with The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The market offers “Double Up Bucks” and “Veggie Bucks” with those part of this program.
The Boulder Farmers Market has helped the environment through their Zero Waste Plan, advocating for local farmers, and bringing in vertical farms. The Boulder Farmers Market started in April of this year and will close the Saturday before Thanksgiving. University of Colorado Boulder students are welcome to attend the market as it is beneficial to have local produce readily available across from campus.
Hannah Stewart, Boulder Farmers Market, On Street Markets Operations Manager
Email: community@bcfm.org
Matt Koen, Near and Dear, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Email: matt@neardear.com
Laura Quaranta, Rough and Ready Farm, Founder
Email: laura.quaranta@gmail.com
