Whether you are planning a big Easter celebration for family and friends or just dying a few Easter eggs don’t forget to include Idaho grown ingredients. Fresh local ham, the first of the asparagus, grass-fed lamb, fresh baked breads, Idaho wines-and local eggs of course!

If you are looking for local eggs to dye head over to the Boise Co-Op where you can find a large assortment of local chicken or duck eggs. They also have one of the largest selections of local food in one place including meats, breads, produce, and wines.

If you are hoping to serve a local ham at your spring dinner you have several options. Vogel Farms in Kuna has fresh cured, no additives hams available. Hardball Farms in Nampa also has locally grown and processed hams for sale. Other options include Falls Brands Salmon Creek Farms Natural pork products and Homestead Naturals pork.

Another great option is local lamb. Try local grass fed lamb from Lava Lake Lamb, Blue Sage Farms, or Meadow Lark Farms. For a new recipe try Lamb Skewers with Mint Mayo or Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks for these recipes visit www.idahopreferred.com/recipes.

Keep your eye out for the first of the local asparagus. You may also be able to find the first of local greens to include in a salad. Another option is to serve a local potato salad using local eggs, potatoes, onions, and mustard from Wagner Idaho Foods now available at Paul’s Markets.

If you are wanting something sweet to fill up those Easter Baskets then look for Weiser Classic chocolate Easter bunnies or homemade toffee from The Toffee Cottage. Want to bake something yourself then revisit  Put a Little Local in Your Holiday Baking to see all the “staples” grown right here in Idaho.

If you are visiting a friend’s house for Easter, a hostess gift is in order. Nestle a locally grown flowering plant or a bottle of Idaho wine in a colorful basket for a fun local gift.

Idaho Preferred  products will add flavor and meaning to your holiday dinner. To find more local products and producers visit www.idahopreferred.com

Wouldn’t it be great to have your own personal farmer – someone who grew produce for you and a few other Locavores in the community?  Well you can with a CSA. 

What exactly is a CSA?  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and very simply it is a share of a farmer or producer’s harvest.  Here’s how it works.  Prior to the planting season, a grower will offer shares in his/her CSA.  The number of shares available depends on the size and volume of produce a farmer can produce.  A share is usually defined as an amount of produce to feed either two or four people for a week and a CSA in Idaho generally includes 16-18 weeks of produce.  Cost of shares varies widely depending on the number of weeks, variety of products offered, whether weekly produce is delivered or has to be picked up, location of the CSA, and simple economics – supply and demand for shares.   The buyer of the shares pays in advance allowing the farmer to plan production and also providing him with capital needed to plant, grow and harvest.

CSA’s vary widely in what they offer.  Some CSA’s are fresh produce only – primarily vegetables - and the produce varies each week depending on what is in season.  Weekly “boxes” may start with lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes and other quick-growing early season crops.  As the weather warms, the box might contain carrots, beets, green beans, summer squash and finally tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn and winter squash.  Some CSA’s also include a fresh fruit option where the farmer will work with a local orchard and include seasonal fruit in the weekly offering.  Other CSA’s might include meats, dairy or breads.  Contents are dictated by weather and growing conditions, are not guaranteed, and usually not customized – every share holder receives the same basic selection of products.

If you would like to become a member of a CSA check out these Idaho Preferred producers.  Wissel Farms is the newest CSA in the Treasure Valley and offers a fruit-vegetable membership and free weekly delivery (Wisselfarms.com).  Morning Owl Farms offers several types of CSA’s  - some that are year-around and can be found at www.morningowlfarm.com.  Vogel Farms in Kuna offers a meat subscription at www.vogelfarmscountrymarket.com and Cabalo’s Orchard offers a CSA card for fruits and vegetables grown on their farm in Kuna.  In north-central Idaho check out Jim’s Year Around produce in Julietta. You can find information and the application to their CSA at http://idahopreferred.com/member-database/jims-year-round-produce.

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

Idaho has long been known for its local beef, lamb, pork, trout and elk…but now you can buy locally grown and processed turkey for your holiday feasts!  But if you want to buy a local turkey – you better plan ahead as supplies are limited and go fast.

Several Idaho Preferred® members are making turkey available for area Locavores.  A+ Turkey Ranch produces organic free range turkeys on the southern slopes of the Picabo hills near Richfield, Idaho.  The ranch has been in the family for more than thirty years and consists of 120 acres of certified organic land dedicated to turkey production. You can find A+ Turkeys in Boise at the Co-Op orby contacting Morning Owl Farms.  In the Wood River Valley check Atkinson’s Market and Idaho’s Bounty. 

Vogel Farms also raises turkeys for the holidays.  Vogel Farms Country Market allows you to choose fresh from the farm, local all natural grass and grain fed beef, pork, chicken and turkey. With over 70 years of experience, Vogel Farms produces some of the tastiest meat in the valley.  Vogel Farms turkey production is limited and pre-orders are almost always necessary.  To check out availability, visit the farm at 9501 Robinson Rd in Kuna, call them at (208) 466-6928 or log onto their website at http://www.vogelfarmscountrymarket.com

M&M Heath Farms in Buhl Idaho is a family-run farm which has been cultivating Idaho soil for over 25 years. Headed up by Mike Heath, the farm was one of the first to receive Idaho organic certification. Mike now farms close to 500 acres in the Buhl-Castleford area growing several types of potatoes, winter squash and dry beans as well as organic beef, pork, chickens and other poultry. M&M Heath Farm turkeys are available while they last through Idaho’s Bounty.

One more idea – HomeGrown Poultry in New Plymouth processes turkeys for several small local growers.  Some growers have extra birds that might be available for purchase.  To find out, call HomeGrown Poultry at 208-278-0127.

If all fails, and you can’t find a local turkey for Thanksgiving – start a new dinner tradition with an Idaho goose (Morning Owl Farms) or ranch-raised pheasant (CA Bull Elk Ranch).  Or enjoy Idaho beef, pork, lamb or elk.  And…make sure you order or reserve a turkey nowfor Christmas dinner!