Eat. Shop. Learn.

The Story

The Futures Food Group sprouted from the Vision for a Vibrant & Sustainable Community event held in January 2011. The diverse group of community stakeholders that gathered to discuss the future of Ketchum clearly recognized that local food should be a priority as we move forward. This sentiment was manifested in the Common Ground Statement:

“We are committed to educate the consumer base to the value & benefit of sustainably grown local food. We are dedicated to developing a practical farm to table food distribution system and to develop a close relationship among consumers and producers.”

What

The Futures Food Group consists of representatives  from both non-profits and businesses focused on creating a sustainable local food shed throughout the Wood River Valley including: Peggy Bates (Community Rising), Lynea Newcomer (Idaho’s Bounty), Dick & Melinda Springs (The Sustainability Center), Judd McMahan (Wood River Organics & The Farmer’s Market), Molly & Steve Brown (Glow Live Food Cafe), Julie Johnson (Nourish Me), Alison Marks (The Sawtooth Botanical Garden), Hallie Reikowsky (The Hunger Coalition) and Dana DuGan (Nourish Me).

The first project undertaken by this group was the sponsorship of awareness-raising events, including a free screening of the movie “Food Matters” in spring 2011, followed by the creation of a Local Foods brochure. Produced by Idaho’s Bounty, this brochure is filled with information about local food events, where locally grown food can be purchased and which restaurants serve it.

In May 2011, a sub-group starting working on a 2026 Wood River Valley Food Shed Plan.

Why

The benefits of creating a local food shed have been well documented. From the obvious benefits of eating healthy fresh organic food to the improved strength of the local economy, this food shed brings more to the community than simply helping out area farmers.