{"id":33599,"date":"2020-08-06T05:58:34","date_gmt":"2020-08-06T11:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=33599"},"modified":"2024-05-13T09:24:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T15:24:28","slug":"colorado-farmers-markets-provide-delicious-fresh-foods-during-the-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/colorado-farmers-markets-provide-delicious-fresh-foods-during-the-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado farmers markets provide delicious, fresh foods during the pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Colorado farmers markets are a great place to shop outdoors and find fresh, locally-grown food. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The chile roasters are firing up now. Spicy green chiles \u2014 ranging from mild to burning hot \u2014 will sizzle and pop as their skins blister, filling the air with an irresistible, smoky smell.<\/p>\n

Along with Pueblo green chiles, August and September also bring Colorado\u2019s other top farm favorites: Olathe sweet corn, Rocky Ford cantaloupe and Palisade peaches.<\/p>\n

The pandemic has many Coloradans savoring summer at home. As you enjoy Colorado\u2019s most beautiful months and long days, why not buy local this year too?<\/p>\n

You can shop at farmers markets nearly every day of the week. Here\u2019s a handy list of markets tended by Colorado Proud, a division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture.<\/p>\n

When you shop at farmers markets, you\u2019ll encounter some new safety measures aimed at keeping you healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Yes, 2020 feels different, but you can still enjoy an outing to a market while supporting local Colorado farmers and livestock producers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than ever, local buying and eating are not only good for agriculture; they are good for all Coloradans,\u201d said Wendy White, marketing specialist for Colorado Proud. \u201cEvery time we buy local food and products, we are simultaneously boosting Colorado\u2019s economy and heritage \u2014 with agriculture as one of the biggest economic drivers in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to visiting farmers markets, this year, customers can also find great food through their regular restaurants. Since visits to restaurants have declined dramatically during the pandemic, many restaurant managers are connecting customers directly with their food suppliers. Or, they\u2019re providing meals through food trucks and creating their own farm stands and online stores. If we want to be able to dine out in the post-pandemic world, we need to support the restaurants we love.<\/p>\n

You can also support local farmers and ranchers by buying directly from them.<\/p>\n

Here are some ideas for buying local this year:<\/h3>\n