It’s down to the wire and you (and/or Santa) need last minute stocking stuffer ideas .  This year, instead of silly socks and chocolate Santas, try Idaho food and beverage items.  Not only are they delicious and useful, but Idaho Preferred gift items are also unique and might actually surprise someone on Christmas morning!

For those adults in your family who still hang their stockings, try Idaho wines.  With over 30 wineries now making delicious fruity whites and rich complex reds, you can find a wine to fit everyone's  taste.  Idaho wines also make the perfect hostess gift.  To find great Idaho wines, visit www.idahowines.org.  Adult stockings can also be filled with Idaho spirits from potato and huckleberry vodkas to cherry and apricot brandy – perfect for holiday celebrations.  Stockings not big enough?  Then try a gift certificate to a locally owned restaurant that supports Idaho farmers and ranchers by serving local foods on their menus.  For restaurant ideas, go to www.idahopreferred.com.

No matter their age, everyone craves a sweet treat now and then.  Look for Idaho candy made with local sugar, butter and maybe even some huckleberries from Weiser Classic Candies.  Or try all natural sweet creamy toffee made by The Toffee Cottage in Emmett.  Huckleberry syrup, local honey, fruit jams or wine jellies also make great little stocking stuffers.  Add a scone, flapjack or bread mix - or pick up fresh bread at a local bakery – for a gift that will be enjoyed long after the lights are taken down and the stockings are stored.  For another “sweet” option add Idaho apples or fresh cheese curds to your family’s stockings – or better yet fill a basket with several varieties of local apples and set it near the stockings – Santa will certainly enjoy this healthy alternative to your children’s sugar cookie masterpieces as he goes about his nights work!

When you think about eating local – you probably think about fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and maybe even wine – but don’t forget about all of the “staples” grown right here in Idaho.  The Gem State is the third largest producer of wheat in the US.  Some of that wheat is ground into flour at the Pendleton Flour Mill in Blackfoot and sold locally and across the nation.  Here in the Treasure Valley look for Pendleton Mill’s flour at Paul’s Markets where a 25# bag is a great value at only $6.95!! If that sounds like too much flour – even for your holiday baking needs – consider sharing with a friend.  Flour also stores well and can be kept for a year or more if kept in an air-tight container in a cool dry pantry.  You can also find smaller quantities of local flour by going on line to http://www.idahosbounty.org.

You can’t make sugar cookies without the sugar – so look for White Satin brand white, brown and powdered sugar.  White Satin is the brand produced by the Amalgamated plant in Nampa from sugar beets grown by farmers from throughout the Treasure and Magic Valley areas.  Find White Satin at Paul’s Markets and some other independently owned local grocers.

Real butter is the key to delicious home baked goods and is made right here in Idaho. We are the third largest producer of milk, and although only a very small percentage of it goes to butter production, it is another way to support the largest agriculture industry that contributes so much to the economy of our state.  Darigold butter, made in Nampa, uses milk from dairies throughout southern Idaho and can be found at many local retailers throughout the state – or get it delivered to your home by Boise Milk at http://boisemilk.com.  Also, find local butter made in small batches by Cloverleaf Creamery in Buhl at their store, or at M&W stores, the Boise Co-Op Wissel Farms store, and through Idaho’s Bounty.

Finally, you will need eggs for almost everything you bake – and for your famous Uncle Mike’s eggnog!  And although eggs are a little harder to find this time of year, check out the Boise Co-Op, or go to Idahopreferred.com and find producers like Vogel Farms or Homestead Naturals.  Or - for extra richness and something a little unique – try baking with duck eggs from Morning Owl Farms.

Happy baking to all you Locavores! For more ingredients ideas go to www.idahopreferred.com