You can get good stuff at every level of the local food supply chain. Here are some examples, and they’re only the beginning of many more in the region. It’s easier than you might think to eat local.
FARMERS
Venetucci Farm
Now an arm of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, the farm combines pumpkin patches, CSAs, educational programs, farm-to-table Starlight Dinners and more for a widespread footprint at the center of the local food scene.
5210 S. Hwy 85
719-389-1251
ppcf.org
Wheeler Farm
Using companion planting and beneficial insects to fight pests, Wheeler grows produce in Penrose, delivering eggs, free-range pork, turkeys, chickens and more to the Springs area.
Penrose
719-640-7730
wheelerfarm.net
Country Fresh Farms
A project of Mark and Michelle Smith, Country Fresh is one of the only farms in the region to feed organic sprouted barley to its chickens, goats and cows.
23851 County Road 61, Elbert
720-318-2784
countryfreshfarmsllc.com
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
Grant Farms
Through Grant, you can buy shares of tempeh, herbs, coffee, tofu and even organic mushrooms. Get a taste of everything with 26 weeks of the All-In Kitchen Share for $3,250.
12155 N. County Road 15, Wellington
970-568-7654
grantfarms.com
Austin Family Farm
The seventh generation farmers make a high priority of renewed soil and a “beyond organic” approach to farming. Find varied quality produce, including cherries, peaches, potatoes, leeks and much more by season, with many pickup locations in the Springs. 14741 Canyon Road, Paonia
719-338-4146
austinfamilyfarm.com
Arkansas Valley Organic Growers
You can get honey delivered twice a week for 11 weeks, or upgrade to a 25-week delivery of regional cheeses, or just go big with six months of vegetables from this co-op of multiple farms.
P.O. Box 87, Avondale
719-947-1087
headwatersgrowers.coop
FARMERS MARKETS
Colorado Farm and Art Market
The grande dame of them all, CFAM operates markets at the Margarita at Pine Creek and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum . Find local art, farm products and food with strong ties to Venetucci Farm and AVOG.
Wednesdays: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St.
Saturdays: The Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Rd.
719-640-6154
farmandartmarket.com
Ranch Foods Direct
Though not technically a farmers market, the new RFD location sells local produce, Colorado products like an organic ketchup from Denver, and house meats, sandwiches and charcuterie raised by owner Mike Callicrate.
1228 E. Fillmore St.
ranchfoodsdirect.com
Old Colorado City Farmers Market
Located at Bancroft Park on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. facebook.com/oldcoloradocityfarmersmarket
Briargate Farmers Market
Located at 7610 N. Union Blvd. on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. springsfarmersmarkets.com
Fountain Farmers Market
Located at Fountain City Hall on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
localharvest.org
RESTAURANTS
Seeds Community Cafe
Seeds combines a pay-as-you-can model with a focus on locally-sourced goods cooked in a kitchen led by Lyn Harwell, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.
109 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
seedscommunitycafe.org
The Margarita at Pine Creek
Helmed by chefs Eric Viedt and Cathy Werle, the kitchen at the Margarita not only hosts farmers markets but spins it into gourmet dining every night.
7350 Pine Creek Road
margaritaatpinecreek.com
The Broadmoor
Focused on five-star fare, the Broadmoor’s stable of restaurants—like Summit, 1858 and Natural Epicurean—source vegetables from their own gardens as well as producers like the Arkansas Valley Growers Association.
1 Lake Ave.
broadmoor.com/restaurants
FARM TO APP TO TABLE
It used to be harder to keep up with who’s doing what in the farm-to-table scene—that was before the Local Food CS app. The app breaks down who’s growing local food, where you can buy it, and which restaurants are sourcing it. Want backyard honey, goat milk or eggs—chicken or duck? The app gives you options that include locations and contacts. Looking for a place to buy from a nearby farm or ranch? You can find that too. The overwhelming majority of growers and producers are located within 67 miles of the center of Colorado Springs. The free app is available for both Android and iOS phones. Nearly 4,000 people have generated around 44,000 sessions since the app’s debut in 2015; that’s roughly seven times the projected traffic according to Colorado Springs creators Local Motive.
—by Bryce Crawford
