Today the Local Foods, Local Jobs act, sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), passed through the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee. The Local Foods, Local Jobs act supports local, small-scale growers and producers by creating alternative methods for them to sell homemade, value added goods. Senate Bill 48 will allow small growers to sell their products directly to consumers, jump starting local economies and increasing the availability of healthy foods.
Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on Senate Bill 48:
“I am pleased to see that this jobs bill passed with bipartisan support as it will directly benefit many hard-working Coloradans. By empowering Colorado’s small farms and small-business entrepreneurs, this bill will create jobs, strengthen the economy, and promote tourism in our local communities.”
The Local Foods, Local Jobs Act will ease impediments to local markets by exempting home kitchens from certain health inspections that are generally applied to large retailers. Home kitchens will be trained on safe food handling and processing procedures, as well as labeling requirements to ensure healthy products. Small businesses that promote locally sourced foods can get a strong start due to these streamlined regulations.
Sixty-five year-old Monica Wiitanen is the owner of The Small Potatoes Farm in Paonia, Colorado, and will directly benefit from the passage of Senate Bill 48:
“This bill would make a big difference to our farm operation as we could use excess or injured produce to make garlic and chile powder, dried tomatoes, kale chips, potato bread, and lots more. I work with a young professional baker and this will create income for him as well. It really has a spiral effect, and I think it will bring some life and prosperity into our community.”
Nearly 30 other states have passed similar laws to promote local products. Senate Bill 48 is sponsored in the House of Representatives by Representative Don Coram (R-Montrose).
Showing posts with label Farms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Farms. Show all posts
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Colorado Egg Producers
Autumn has officially arrived. Kids are back in school, leaves are changing and the holiday spirit will soon arrive with a dash of stress and a pinch of hectic scheduling. Meals and snacks don’t have to be a hassle this time of year, especially when using eggs. The Colorado Egg Producers (CEP) Association has a few ideas to incorporate eggs into meals for busy schedules.
Eggs are easy to prepare ahead of time for any meal and are excellent snacks for car rides, shopping trips and more. While eggs are oftentimes associated with stovetop cooking for leisurely weekend breakfasts, they can also be served as a quick snack or a meal on-the-go and satisfy hunger at any hour of the day. Here’s a look at how eating eggs can help save time in what can be the busiest season of the year.
Breakfast
Think you can’t find the time for an egg breakfast in the middle of a hectic morning? Think again. You can prepare an egg breakfast in a snap. Some ideas can even commute with you in a portable coffee mug.
Even if you find yourself far from the kitchen during the lunch hour, you can still enjoy eggs for a mid-day meal. An egg lunch doesn’t have to take long to prepare and can be easy to eat at your desk on busy days.
Many people enjoy relaxing after a long workday, and preparing a meal can sometimes seem like extra work. Don’t think of eggs as breakfast for dinner; think of them as a quick and inexpensive evening meal that can cook while you’re busy with other activities. Also, many dinner recipes may provide ample leftovers for future meals, which saves prep time throughout the week.
Eggs are as easy to snack on as any other finger food. Take a tip from CEP and trade traditional carb-loaded snacks for a punch of protein.
“As local egg farmers, we like to remind people of eggs’ health benefits. One egg offers nearly every vitamin a body needs and is a model source of protein,” said Terry Tormohlen, Colorado egg farmer and CEP member. “Additionally, eggs have all nine essential amino acids, which boosts metabolism.”
CEP offers recipes that can be prepared in advance and taken on-the-go at coloradoeggproducers.com.
Support your local egg farmer and those in need and “like” the Colorado Egg Producers on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CoEggProducers ). For every “like,” CEP will donate an egg to Food Bank of the Rockies.
CEP is a membership organization representing seven farms throughout Colorado. The organization is committed to doing what’s right for its community, as illustrated by the regular donation of thousands of eggs to food banks throughout the state. Egg farmers throughout Colorado pride themselves on providing eggs to Coloradans. We are also proud to offer consumers the choice between cage, cage-free eggs, organic, nutrient enhanced, brown and white eggs. You can find locally produced, fresh, wholesome and safe eggs in the dairy case of your favorite Colorado supermarkets. To see video of how chickens are raised in both cage and cage-free environments or to find a list of where to buy Colorado eggs visit coloradoeggproducers.com.
Eggs are easy to prepare ahead of time for any meal and are excellent snacks for car rides, shopping trips and more. While eggs are oftentimes associated with stovetop cooking for leisurely weekend breakfasts, they can also be served as a quick snack or a meal on-the-go and satisfy hunger at any hour of the day. Here’s a look at how eating eggs can help save time in what can be the busiest season of the year.
Breakfast
Think you can’t find the time for an egg breakfast in the middle of a hectic morning? Think again. You can prepare an egg breakfast in a snap. Some ideas can even commute with you in a portable coffee mug.
- Scramble eggs in the microwave for a meal in less than a minute.
- Stir a raw egg into oatmeal with milk. Microwave and enjoy with fruit on top.
- Make an egg sandwich with a bagel, English muffin or toast.
Even if you find yourself far from the kitchen during the lunch hour, you can still enjoy eggs for a mid-day meal. An egg lunch doesn’t have to take long to prepare and can be easy to eat at your desk on busy days.
- Hard boil eggs in advance, slice them up and add them to a leafy salad.
- Prepare a hearty sandwich with egg salad or use a sliced hard-boiled egg as a base for a delicious sandwich – toss in avocado, celery, fresh greens or any other addition you’d like.
Many people enjoy relaxing after a long workday, and preparing a meal can sometimes seem like extra work. Don’t think of eggs as breakfast for dinner; think of them as a quick and inexpensive evening meal that can cook while you’re busy with other activities. Also, many dinner recipes may provide ample leftovers for future meals, which saves prep time throughout the week.
- Use a slow cooker to make an egg bake and let the meal take care of itself.
- Prepare an egg casserole dish ahead of time, refrigerate it and bake it when you get home.
Eggs are as easy to snack on as any other finger food. Take a tip from CEP and trade traditional carb-loaded snacks for a punch of protein.
- Include a hard-boiled egg in you or your child’s lunch box. To make it even easier to eat, slide the egg onto a popsicle stick.
- Be the hit of any holiday party with deviled eggs – mix it up by adding tex-mex flavoring, cheese or bacon.
- Make bacon and egg cups by lining muffin tin holes with bacon, cracking eggs inside the holes and baking at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
“As local egg farmers, we like to remind people of eggs’ health benefits. One egg offers nearly every vitamin a body needs and is a model source of protein,” said Terry Tormohlen, Colorado egg farmer and CEP member. “Additionally, eggs have all nine essential amino acids, which boosts metabolism.”
CEP offers recipes that can be prepared in advance and taken on-the-go at coloradoeggproducers.com.
Support your local egg farmer and those in need and “like” the Colorado Egg Producers on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CoEggProducers ). For every “like,” CEP will donate an egg to Food Bank of the Rockies.
CEP is a membership organization representing seven farms throughout Colorado. The organization is committed to doing what’s right for its community, as illustrated by the regular donation of thousands of eggs to food banks throughout the state. Egg farmers throughout Colorado pride themselves on providing eggs to Coloradans. We are also proud to offer consumers the choice between cage, cage-free eggs, organic, nutrient enhanced, brown and white eggs. You can find locally produced, fresh, wholesome and safe eggs in the dairy case of your favorite Colorado supermarkets. To see video of how chickens are raised in both cage and cage-free environments or to find a list of where to buy Colorado eggs visit coloradoeggproducers.com.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Farm Vandalism
From a recent press release:
The Grant Family Farm’s mobile chicken coops were recently vandalized. Donated school buses turned chicken condos previously adorned with children’s paintings have been defaced with images of swastikas and anti-gay slurs. Grant Family Farm is one of Colorado’s first organic farms. They play a large role in the community and provide thousands of pounds of food to those in need.
“It is sad to see this happen to one of our members who is trying to provide his community with healthy, wholesome food,” said Troy Bredenkamp, Executive Vice President of Colorado Farm Bureau, “We will not tolerate this criminal behavior or any type of vandalism against farmers and ranchers.”
Colorado Farm Bureau is offering a $500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the vandals. If anyone has information about this incident, they are asked to contact the Larimer County Sherriff at (970) 416-1985.
The Grant Family Farm’s mobile chicken coops were recently vandalized. Donated school buses turned chicken condos previously adorned with children’s paintings have been defaced with images of swastikas and anti-gay slurs. Grant Family Farm is one of Colorado’s first organic farms. They play a large role in the community and provide thousands of pounds of food to those in need.
“It is sad to see this happen to one of our members who is trying to provide his community with healthy, wholesome food,” said Troy Bredenkamp, Executive Vice President of Colorado Farm Bureau, “We will not tolerate this criminal behavior or any type of vandalism against farmers and ranchers.”
Colorado Farm Bureau is offering a $500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the vandals. If anyone has information about this incident, they are asked to contact the Larimer County Sherriff at (970) 416-1985.
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