Published: Sept. 15, 2017

Why should you eat locally grown food?ÌýOne look at the face of someone who has just sunk her teeth into an amazingly juicy and flavorfulÌýColorado peach will tell you the reason:ÌýItÌýisÌýscrumptious.

Plus, local food is often more nutritious than its well-traveled alternative. And Paying your farmer directly keeps your money in your community, while less packaging and traveling mean less environmental impact per bite.

So how can you sink your teeth into some in-season local eats on campus and in the ?

Grab local grub on campus

Pizza made with locally sourced ingredients at the C4CDid you know manages its own gardens and uses the ingredients throughout their menus? And they’re working hard to grow even more food on campus.

A greenhouse at the Village Center Dining in Williams Village that will supply all the leafy greens for that location is currently under construction and will be fully operational around November.

For what they can’t grow, local ingredients from farms and businesses throughout Colorado are incorporated into menus across campus and will be featured in different menus throughout the semester.Ìý

Follow @CUÂ鶹ӰԺLiving on social media to get fresh menu updates,ÌýandÌýlearn more about for food served on campus.

Head to the farmers market

Â鶹ӰԺ Farmers Market signThe Â鶹ӰԺ Farmers Market is a cornucopia of offerings from local farms, restaurantsÌýand producers. You’re sure to snag some free samples as you stock up on local produce, cheese, meats, baked goodsÌýand much more.

Plan to bring cash or purchase "market bucks" on site with your debit, credit or Flatirons card to use at the booths, as most vendors don’t take cards.

The Â鶹ӰԺÌýmarkets are held at 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. The Saturday Market is openÌý8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Nov. 18, and the Wednesday Market is openÌý4 to 8 p.m. through Oct. 4.Ìý

Ìýalso visits Longmont and Denver's Union Station on Saturdays, as well as Lafayette on Thursdays.

Grow your own

Without much time, or even a yard, you can still grow most leafy green things at home.

  • Growing potted fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, mint, marjoram and many others is an easy way to add a lot of flavor to inexpensive meals.
  • Spinach, arugula, chard, bok choyÌýand other delicate greens can grow well potted inside or in a small yard garden.
  • Sprouting in trays or jars in your kitchen is an excellent and inexpensive way to add fresh vegetables to your diet. GoogleÌý"sprouting trays" for tips.
  • for opportunities to be a part of growing food on campus.
  • And if you are ready to get your hands really dirty, .

Find it in the grocery store

Most grocery stores in Â鶹ӰԺ make a point to source more, and visibly label, foods grown or produced locally.ÌýTake the time to make sure you're choosing local foods when they're available to you.

Farm-to-table dining

Â鶹ӰԺ has an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars, distilleriesÌýand breweries using regional ingredients to create delectable dishes. Ìý