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Culinary Corner

Eating local starts now

Have you started your garden yet? Spring is upon us, so let the planting begin!

Backyard gardens are sprouting up all over town, but for those who may lack a green thumb, there are other options to ensure you have plenty of access to fresh, local produce this growing season.

If you know you’re committed to consuming local food and would like to develop a relationship with a local farmer, consider joining a CSA program (Community Supported Agriculture), where you get a specific share of a farm’s produce each week. If you’re more of a casual local food buyer, or a CSA doesn’t meet your specific needs, the Durango Farmers Market will start May 10, then will run every Saturday until Oct. 25, with bountiful options for cheese, eggs, fresh vegetables, meats and prepared food products. And don’t forget the added bonus of getting to socialize with your local farmers and enjoy some live music. But if you miss the Farmers Market, have no fear, both Durango Natural Foods and Nature’s Oasis keep plenty of local products stocked year-round for your eating pleasure.

Do you still want more local food? Have you always toyed with the idea of starting your own garden but have been intimidated by the process? Starting April 29, the Colorado State University Extension Office will offer its Backyard Food Production Series. For $145 you can participate in 12 classes from April to September and learn everything from how to design your garden to how to preserve excess produce at the end of the season. To sign up, call Darrin Parmenter at 382-6464 or email parmenterdm@co.laplata.co.us.

Also, consider joining a community garden, such as Shared Harvest Community Garden, where you are assigned to a team that works together to grow a specific crop. When harvest time comes, the bounty of all of the garden’s crops are shared equally between all garden members.

Whatever your local food preference is, we are lucky to live in a town with such a variety of options! Eat on.



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