Local Food Week 2012, September 8-16

Local Food Week is an annual event coordinated by Peak to Plains Alliance and supported by its members. Its purpose is to educate the public about the farmers and ranchers who grow food in this region as well as where they can access locally produced food.  It is a week filled with educational events, restaurant specials and entertainment.

Contact the entities listed below for reservations or more information:

Local Food Week Menus at:

Adams Mountain Cafe - Two specials made with locally sourced ingredients are available for lunch and dinner all week, plus a dessert featuring fruit from Austin Family Farms. When you order one of the specials, receive a gift certificate to Adams Mountain Cafe for a future visit.

Front Range BBQ - Local offerings in addition to everyday favorites.

Jake and Telly's - In addition to their regular menu, they will be offering multiple choices of apps, entrees and desserts made with local ingredients and a local wine list.

The Margarita at Pine Creek - Local bar menu and prie fixe menu to complement their music and movie offerings.

Pizzeria Rustica and TAPAteria - Local specials featuring Venetucci produce

Saturday, September 8

Chef’s Cook Off: Takes place during the market at The Margarita at Pine Creek, 9am-1pm, although the judging will happen before the market ends. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Canning Class at Venetucci Farm: 10am - 2pm, Outdoor canning class on the farm! Venetucci provides the vegetables, just harvested from the fields. Discuss pickling, regular canning and water bath canning, including safety.  Visit the farm stand from 9am - 1pm to buy fresh produce so you can hone your skills when you get home. $30, 12 person limit. Contact Bonnie Simon to register: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sunday, September 9

Mountain Song Movie Screening and More:  “FRESH”: 2pm, Carnegie Reading Room at Penrose Library, downtown Colorado Springs. This Back-to-School Wellness event involves a short talk by Mina Liebert, Director of LiveWell Colorado Springs, samples of nutritious home-made snacks, and recipes for quick and healthy weeknight meals, packed lunches, and snacks. Great door prizes such as cooking classes from Pause to Eat, and Tabor Mountain Bakehouse and reusable lunch containers. Then watch this film which celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. (Some content in the movie may not be suitable for young children, there are some childcare spots available.)

Mountain Song Community School is committed to supporting the whole health of each student and our extended community of Colorado Springs. Contact Neah Douglas; 503.432.1719, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Monday, September 10

Movie in Manitou Springs: “Bag It”: 6:30-8:30pm, Manitou Springs Library

Tuesday, September 11

Lunch n’ Learn with Debbie Walker: Food Drying & Fermentation: 12-1pm, Contact Debbie at The Kitchen Cupboard for more information: 719-475-8618 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ribbon Cutting at Harrison District Community Garden: 10am-12pm, remarks at 10:30am and light refreshments, public welcome.

Bristol Brewery Karma Night: 5-9pm. One dollar of every pint sold will go to Colorado Springs Alliance (formerly Colorado Springs Community Alliance). Be there or be...beerless!

Cooking Class with Tabor Mountain Bake House - International Tapas Class, 6pm (approx 2.5 hours long), featuring best of Colorado produce at the time from Venetucci Farm, Frost Farm, Hanagan Farms and Larga Vista Ranch. $65 per person, limit 8 people. Payments must be made at time of registration with cash, check or credit cards. Contact Chef Angela Valencia: 719-429-2302 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Menu

• Patatas Bravas with Aioli - Colorado Potatoes, Tomatoes and Farm Fresh Eggs complemented with spices from Savory Spice
• Pinchos Murunos (Moorish Style Pork Skewers) - Local Pork Loin flavored with spices from Savory Spice
• Xato-Spanish Salad with Romesco Vinagrette - Fresh Roasted Red Peppers, Bitter Greens, and Eggs accented with spices from Savory Spice
• Spanish Tortilla - Egg and Potato Omelette made with Colorado Potatoes, Onions and Eggs
• Dessert - Almond Torte from Colorado Eggs

 

Wednesday, September 12

CFAM at the Fine Arts Center: Fresh Tasting with Chef Heather Mitchell, 4-7pm

Brown Bag Lunch-n-Learn - Seed Saving Library presented by David Wooley, community organizer, gardener, UCCS MA in Geography and Environmental Studies, Geospatial Professional for the City of Fountain 12-1pm, City of Manitou Library

Thursday, September 13

Friday, September 14

 

“Self-care for Gardeners” - All day. A complimentary event honoring those who make local foods possible, at Sun Pilates Studios. Includes self-care massage, stretching of hands, enriching posture and breath movements for gardening, and hand-treatment recipes from the garden. RSVP to 719-460-4647 or 719-447-5662.

Lunch & Learn: Ranch Foods Direct presents: “Colorado Springs and a Year Round Farmers Market”, Care and Share, 12-1pm. 473-2306 for more information.

Lunch & Learn: “Healthy Local Eating on a Budget”, Senior Center, 12:30-1:30pm, contact Judith at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

"Local Food, Local Funding": 5:30pm, Adams Mountain Cafe. Chris Dwyer, President of LocalMotive Financial, will explore how we, as individuals, families, organizations and communities, can employ alternative financial strategies to re-whole local food systems and otherwise make our region more sustainable. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be assured of a seat; Local appetizers and beverages available for purchase, made lovingly by the staff at Adams Mountain Cafe.

 

Saturday, September 15

"How to build a greenhouse” workshop: Learn how to build a greenhouse that requires no supplemental heating, even in winter. New or recycled materials can be used and it works at any altitude. Two-session class from 9am-noon with lunch provided by local-food-catering gurus at Bon Appetit, then finish your instruction from 1-4pm, at Tutt Science Center on the Colorado College Campus. $50 per person ($25 for students with a current I.D.); following the workshop, join Penn and Cord Parmenter for an intimate Meet-and-Greet from 4-6pm. To register: 203-984-8926 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To know more about the instructors: http://pennandcordsgarden.weebly.com/index.html

Know Your Farmer Panel Discussion, Large Meeting Room on the Lower Level of the Woodland Park Library, 1:30-3:30pm
Meet and hear from our local food producers and learn about new developments for our area which aim to boost the local food economy. Then join in a produce swap. Bring produce, preserved goods, eggs to share with others. Leftovers will be donated to the Community Cupboard.  Don't be shy about bringing an empty bag!  The swap is all about sharing with neighbors.

Community Potluck Dinner at Hillside Gardens **SOLD OUT**: You've really got to be on your game to get a seat at this event. If you want to experience really amazing food made with local products by your fellow community members, make sure to sign up now and get on their mailing list for upcoming events and next year's dinner! http://springsalliance.webs.com/community-dinner