LOCAL FOOD RESOURCES
BUILDING A RESILIENT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM
FREEZER TRAILER & STORAGE
In 2021, CAA was choose as the Leadership Steamboat community impact project. The goal of this project was to support our local food system with needed infrastructure. The group fund raised and purchased a freezer storage unit for local meat producers to utilize as cooperative freezer storage. The project was successfully completed with a refurbished 40′ shipping container / freezer unit delivered to the Yampa Valley Electric property on Elk River Road (YVEA is generously donating the space to house the freezer unit). A mobile freezer trailer was also purchased and is available for local producers to borrow as they transport frozen meat. Secure professional storage is a critical piece of the local food system and helps support a growing interest in local meat production/sales.
“Today I delivered over 2,000 lbs of beef to customers using the refrigerated trailer that the Ag Alliance purchased to support local agriculture. Because of the trailer and its refrigeration ability, I was able to pick up the meat at Mountain Meats in the middle of the summer, deliver whole and half steers to customers at their house, and then bring the rest of the meat back to the ranch for future sales at the CAA market. Not only did it make it easier and safer (no thawing) but it also looked very professional to deliver meat to customers in a refrigerated trailer.” -Yancey Rushton, Steamboat Cattle Co. at D2 Ranch
“We literally couldn’t have gotten our meat back from the processor without the freezer trailer!” – Lanya JAnsen, The Home Ranch
Freezer Trailer Rental Application
Freezer Storage Rental Application (Coming Soon!)
For more information contact CAA Program Coordinator, Meredith Rose at meredith@communityagalliance.org
LOCAL FOOD IN THE YAMPA VALLEY
CAA provides leadership and direct programs to support local food producers as part of our mission to keep agriculture vibrant in the Yampa Valley. We work with local ranchers, farmers, and food producers providing direct support, educational programs, and connections to help grow their businesses. The CAA Market provides a convenient, online option for producers to connect with local customers and sell products. CAA continues to provide leadership on regulatory issues related to agriculture and local food, connections for commercial/restaurant sales, and coordination on storage/distribution issues.
CAA works with the following organizations serving as a connector for local food:
– Northwest Colorado Food Coalition
– Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
– Hunger Free Colorado
– Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council
If you are interested in learning more about the CAA’s local food connections, contact Michele Meyer.
About the program…
CAA coordinated three grants in partnership with Lift Up, Routt County Council on Aging, and the Routt County WIC Program to source local vegetable shares. Totaling $22,000 in direct payments to local farmers and ranchers.
CAA provides connections to area restaurants, businesses, caterers, and other local organizations to encourage sourcing local ingredients. In 2022 the NW CO Rural Philanthropy Days, Steamboat Food & Wine Festival, and Chamber Women’s Summit will feature local food.
CAA was partnered with the 2021 Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce Leadership Steamboat project to develop cooperative freezer storage for local meat producers. A 40’ freezer container and 10’ freezer trailer were purchased and are available for local producers to utilize in local meat distribution and storage. Yampa Valley Electric Association is donating physical location for the storage unit and trailer to be stored. CAA has ownership and provides management of the freezers.
CAA is a founding member of the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition, serving as Chair for the Coalition and providing leadership for the Local Food Task Force and regulatory issues in partnership with CSU Routt County Extension and Routt County staff.