One of the greatest opportunities grandparents have is teaching their grandchildren by example. Early years of childhood, grandparents are the ultimate authority for grandchildren. How often have they been heard to say, "but grandpa does it this way or grandma said..." Healthy food choices can be something taught by example as grandchildren share meals with grandparents. Shopping can be another excellent time to teach about heallthy food choices.
Colorado Springs is providing some of the most healthy and delicious food available in America. Locally grown fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, etc. are available in your neighborhood.
The State of colorado has its own organization, "About Colorado Local Sustainability." Their purpose is to support local food production, educate consumers on food and sustainability isssues, and work to build a food and sustainability community. Every year it publishes the Rocky Mountain Growers Directory. Foods listed include vegetables, herbs, fruit, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, etc. More information is available at their website, http://www.localsustainability.net.
Gardening can be a good project for grandparents and grandchildren to work on together. At the same time they will build meaningful relationships while the children learn where food comes from and what are healthy choices. North Colorado Springs has Pikes Peaks Urban Gardens. This is sponsored by Pikes Peak Community Foundation. Here people in the neighborhood garden together in a large garden. Each family has an area at least 20'X20' to raise vegetables for their family or to share with others. The benefits of a community garden are numerous; quality produce for family, healthier lifestyle, neighborhood connections, less crime in the neighborhood, and increased property values. More information is available at, http://www.ppugardens.org.
Harlan Wolfe Ranch is a Community Supported Agriculture project found in Colorado Springs. This ranch features a wide variety of vegetables. The four acre Monticello garden features vegetables Thomas Jefferson grew 200 years ago. The ranch has recently added a squash garden plus raised beds with succession plantings. Shortly after June 1 lettuce, spinach, spring onions, and rhubarb are available. Mid June radishes, herbs and peas are ready. The rest of the vegetables can be picked as the season progresses. They also have plots available to rent. Their website link can be found at http://ppugardens.org. The ranch also holds classses addressing gardening tips and other usesful information.
Local Harvest is a good source of information for locally grown produce. Their website is, http://www.localharvest.org. On the southside of Colorado Springs is Hillbilly Farms at Fountain. Eggs are available on share for $100 giving you a dozen a week for 26 weeks. Also available is poultry and pork products. Darkest Peru Alpacas at Black Forest, just north of Colorado Springs offers eggs, goat milk, manure/compost and alpaca fiber. They can be contacted at, http://www.openherd.com/farms/1906darkesr-peru-alpacas. This is only a sampling of of what is listed at Local Harvest. Another website lists eight more suppliers in Colorado Springs, www.ecoivan.com/coloradosprings. These farms are good opportunities for grandparents to show grandchildren different farms, different animals and give them experiences they might not have otherwise.
Another good source of excellent food is found at the local farmers' market. These markets are found throughout Colorado Springs. Downtown has several as well as those scattered through the outlying area. A good source of information is, http://springsbargains.com/colorado-springs-farmers-market-schedule/ Each one listed has its own website. These markets are scheduled throughout the week as well as on weekends during the gardening season. Vegetables will always be fresh according to your personal schedule. Another site that has a good chart of all farmers' markets alphabetically by city in Colorado is http://starchefs.com/features/farm_fresh/html/colorado.shtml/. When you are travelling through Colorado fresh produce can be found most anywhere.
Many advantages come from supporting a CSA. The source of your produce is always known. These are local people providing a service to each of their consumers. The qualiy of their product is assured because it is picked fresh daily. Relationships develop between producer and consumer so confidence is built in each other. Support of our local economy is encouraged not only in local purchases from a producer but also as they buy locally at other established businesses.
If grandparents are unaable or unwilling to leave home to shop for healthy fruits and vegetables another option is Door to Door Organics. Their websitte lists several local organic farms that supply their products. The list includes fruits not grown in Colorado but the rest are local when in season.
Door to Door Organics niche is their delivery to the Front Range of Colorado. Delivery is available weekly or biweekly. Four sizes of boxed fruits and vegetables are available priced from $24.99 to $59.99. Items in the boxes can be selected according to personal preference and sized according to your family needs.
In addition to boxes of fruits and vegetables more choices are available which include: meat and fish, cereals, beverages, cheese, sides,etc. Each week special discounts are offered on selected items.
All information is available at their website, http://colorado.doortodoororganics.com/. You will find 386 available products that can be delivered to your home.
Grandchildren will enjoy browsing the orders and discovering good food and observing how it is prepared for meals. Opportunities are endless for grandparents to teach by example what nutritious food is and where it comes from.
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