New organizations and initiatives are sprouting up across the nation to support our communities through sustainable local agriculture. Examples include new farmer’s markets, local food policy councils, comprehensive county- or region-based food initiatives, farm and/or garden youth education programs, health and nutrition projects focused on local sustainable foods, procurement initiatives by large retail and institutional buyers and schools, and much more.
Nourish the Flathead is one of these organizations. We work to improve our communities access to local, healthy produce by supporting local farmers markets. We are also collaborating with other groups and agencies in the state to improve our local infrastructure and distribution systems to make our local food system more viable and sustainable.
“Each time I cook with food from a farmer I know, I have a deeper and clearer idea of what really goes into growing healthy and delicious food and why our farmers are heroes.”
- Peter Hoffman (Chef and Owner of Savoy Restaurant).
Farm Hands, a partner of Nourish the Flathead, is a group of local farmers and consumers who want to strengthen the natural bond between the people who produce the food and the people who eat it. If you've seen all those green "Who is Your Farmer" bumper stickers around Montana, then you have seen Farm Hands at work. Each year, Farm Hands publishes a map that is a guide to Flathead farms and locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, meat and dairy products. It gives the location and description of over sixty local farms, as well local businesses that offer local products at markets, restaurants and inns. The map connects visitors and residents to working lands and stunning landscapes. The map can also be found on their website whoisyourfarmer.org.
Farmer's Markets are one of the best ways to directly connect consumers with local farmers and their produce. Not only are they great community events, but buying local helps support your local economy by recirculating the money here. Watch the great video at left to learn more!
