Colorado Cottage Food Bill signed by Governor and in effect!

The San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition is excited to share the news - SB 12-048 sponsored by our champion Senator Gail Schwartz and others was signed into law by the Governor last week!  This allows home kitchen entrepreneurs to Legally sell thier baked goods, jams and jellies, honey and dried herbs and teas to their customers including the farmers market! A comprehensive label and a safe food handling course is required.

Our New Office!

It is official!  The SLV Local Foods Coalition has an office!  We will be sharing space with the Intregrated Nutrition Education Program at 613 4th Street in Alamosa (Thanks Luette!!).  Come visit Julie and Megan, our new Nutrition Education Coordinator, who will be operating the Cooking Matters program, as well as overseeing other nutrition initiatives that Local Foods is sponsoring.

Local Foods, Local Jobs

Good News for Colorado Farmers Markets!!  Thank you Senator Schwartz and Representative Coram!

COLORADO COTTAGE FOODS ACT HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK
DENVER—The House of Representatives passed the Colorado Cottage Foods Act today. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Don Coram, has sweet-lovers around the state licking their lips. Senate Bill 48 will give cottage bakers and other home industry, non-hazardous food producers the freedom to sell their goods directly to consumers, which is currently prohibited under Colorado law. Non-hazardous foods are low in moisture and may be maintained at room temperature with minimal risk of spoiling, like refrigerated foods such as meat or cooked vegetables would. “This bill will prove a boon to our state’s cottage industry food producers,” said Coram, R-Montrose. “Under this bill, full-time moms, dads and others with a passion for cooking can share their creations and boost their household income. This is a good jobs bill.”  Under Coram’s measure, producers must be certified in safe food handling and sell their food directly to consumers, such as through a farmers’ market, a roadside stand or from home. The Colorado Cottage Foods Act would add Colorado to the list of 26 other states who allow home-based bakeries. Coram’s bill exempts small producers from commercial licensing requirements not only for baked goods, but also for items like teas, jellies and even certain egg producers who sell fewer than 250 dozens of eggs a month. Coram’s bill passed with bipartisan support and now awaits the governor’s signature.

2 Angry Moms!

Can two "fed-up" moms get better food into schools across America? In the face of a national child health crisis, the documentary Two Angry Moms addresses an issue of great concern to parents across the country. What are our children eating in school, who is determining that and how is it impacting their health? While angry mom Dr. Susan Rubin speaks out in Washington and organizes parents in her school district, filmmaker Amy Kalafa crosses the country in search of solutions to the many obstacles in their path.

Join us for a screening of Two Angry Moms on Saturday, February 25^th at 10AM at Trinidad State Junior College in Alamosa.  Parking is located on the north side of the building and the auditorium is located just off the atrium.  Look for signs advertising the event.  Childcare will be available in the atrium for any parents wishing to view the film. 

Sponsored by the Alamosa Community Gardens, the SLV Local Foods Coalition and LiveWell Alamosa.  For more information, contact Jan Oen at 587-5529.



Valley Flavors

We recieved this information from the SLV Tourism Association.  If you have questions about the conference call them at the number below!

The San Luis Valley Tourism Association is hosting the eleventh annual San Luis Valley Tourism Conference on February 24, 2012.    The conference will be held at the new Sangre de Cristo school building between Mosca and Hooper.  Activities begin at 1 p.m. and conclude with an auction after dinner.  Meet the new superintendent of Great Sand Dunes National Park as well as other Valley tourism related entities and businesses who have news to share.  This year's theme will be "Valley Flavors:  Promoting cultural heritage and local foods through culinary tourism."  John Salazar, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, will be the dinner speaker.  The SLV Tourism Association is accepting nominations for outstanding tourism promoter of the year!  Restaurants are encouraged to have a booth using local foods and attendees will vote on the "Best Local Dish". Call 719-580-7841 for reservations and information.

Local Food Train!

Join the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad and the SLV Local Foods Coalition for a

Taste of the San Luis Valley

Saturday, February 4^th, 2012

Ride local, eat local. The distinct flavor of the San Luis Valley is the showcase of this train as a local chef prepares locally inspired dishes from area farmers and ranchers. Food always tastes better when there’s less distance between the farm and your plate – and it doesn’t get any closer than the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s backyard.

Ride one of the few operating winter trains in Colorado AND support the effort to promote local foods in the SLV at the same time! Departing from Alamosa, the winter train ride will take a short stop in the quaint mountain town of La Veta.  See spectacular winter wonderlands from the warmth and comfort of a train car, enjoy great food and learn about the work of the SLV Local Foods Coalition! 

For ticket information go to www.riograndescenicrailroad.com or call 877-726-RAIL. 

In order for the SLV Local Foods Coalition to receive credit for a ticket sale, please give the promotion code “SLV FOOD” to the ticket agent.  In addition, please let us know that you have reserved a ticket by emailing us at slvlocalfoods@gmail.com.   

Microgreens and Sprouts!

Microgreen and Sprout Workshop!

Saturday, January 21st

10 AM- Noon

Alamosa Community Greenhouse

12th and Edison

This free workshop will teach you how to start your own microgreens and sprouts to use in salads, sandwiches and smoothies!  Seeds and soil will be provided.  Donations are kindly accepted.

(If you have any plastic lettuce containers that could be used for sprouting trays please bring them with you or drop them off at the Foodbank in Alamosa before the event)

This event is co-sponsored by the SLV Local Foods Coalition, the Alamosa Community Greenhouse and the Alamosa Community Gardens.   For more information call 588-1904 or email slvlocalfoods@gmail.com.