Join us on our 2019 Retail Roadshow!

Published: August 20, 2019

Help us celebrate Idaho Preferred month by joining us on our third annual Retail Roadshow in September. We will be traveling to 29 retail stores throughout the state from Driggs to McCall promoting Idaho-grown produce and more. September is the peak of harvest season giving consumers a wide variety of seasonal produce options at their local grocery store. You know that when you shop locally, you support Idaho! Purchasing Idaho products not only supports Idaho farmers, producers and communities, it also provides fresh, high quality local products for consumers.
Follow us on Facebook for event information specific to each location.

Date Day Time Store City
9/6 Friday 3:30 – 7 p.m. Broulim’s Driggs
9/6 Friday 3:30 – 7 p.m. Broulim’s Ammon
9/6 Friday 3:30 – 7 p.m. Atkinsons’ Ketchum
9/6 Friday 3:30 – 7 p.m. Stokes Preston
9/7 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Broulim’s Rexburg
9/7 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Broulim’s Rigby
9/7 Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Swensens Twin Falls
9/7 Saturday 3 p.m. – 7p.m. Swensens Twin Falls 2
9/7 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stokes Burley
9/13 Friday 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ridley’s Middleton
9/13 Friday 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ridley’s Kuna
9/13 Friday 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ridley’s Weiser
9/14 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ridley’s McCall
9/14 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ridley’s Blackfoot
9/14 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Boise Co-op Meridian
9/14 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Boise Co-op Boise – North End
9/20 Friday 2 p.m – 6 p.m. Albertsons Broadway
9/21 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Albertsons Market Street
9/21 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Albertsons Eagle Rd.
9/21 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Albertsons Emmett
9/21 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Albertsons 17th & State St.
9/27 Friday 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. Walmart Burley
9/27 Friday 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. Walmart Idaho Falls Eastside
9/28 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walmart Caldwell
9/28 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walmart Overland Rd.
9/28 Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walmart Blackfoot
9/29 Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walmart 10 Mile Rd.
9/29 Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walmart Garrity Blvd.
9/29 Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Walmart Fairview Rd.

During the Idaho Preferred Roadshow, shoppers will be able to:
Sample fresh local produce at peak flavor
Enjoy sale prices on Idaho products
Meet a local farmer
Pick up new Idaho recipe ideas
Learn fun facts about Idaho agriculture
Enter to win giveaways!

Posted in Fruits
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Beat the Heat with Idaho Ice Cream!

Published: July 9, 2019

There are few things as delicious as ice cream to beat the sweltering Idaho heat. Thanks to our booming dairy industry and dozens of local creameries there is no shortage of this creamy delicacy throughout the state. Idaho is ranked 3rd in the nation for the production of dairy. Did you know that a single dairy cow produces enough milk to make 2 gallons of ice cream per day? Bill and Donna Stoltzfus are veterans of the industry. Since the early 1970’s Cloverleaf Creamery , based out of Buhl, has been churning ice cream from the milk of their registered Holstein cattle. You can find their products not only at their locally owned creamery but also in Whole Foods, the Boise Co-op, M&W markets and several other retailers.
Downtown Boise is home to The Stil; an innovative creamery that was voted Boise’s best dessert two years running. They offer custom crafted dairy ice cream, non-dairy and vegan options, along with alcohol infused creations. They proudly source their ingredients locally, integrating Idaho agriculture with their fun- loving atmosphere. Since 1911 Farr’s Candy Company has been producing local ice cream as well. Based out of Idaho Falls they can be found in Walmart, Winco, Broulim’s, and various other locations! Their huckleberry cheesecake ice cream is a taste bud pleaser! 
The Bing Cherry Ice Cream is a perfect homemade dish for any ice cream enthusiast. Fun fact: Marco Polo introduced ice cream into Europe in the 1300s; however it was probably nothing like the Idaho Sweet Corn Ice Cream! This dessert uses two of the gem state’s most abundant agricultural products to create a unique summer treat! Killer Creamery is an Idaho based company who knows their fair share about creating unique desserts. Currently they specialize in Keto Ice Cream; designed to be a healthy alternative to everyone’s favorite after-dinner snack. Whether you prefer store bought from the pint, directly from the creamery, or homemade ice cream is the perfect dish to explore Idaho companies and celebrate what the dairy industry has to offer!

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Idaho Cherry Season Kick-Off

Published: June 13, 2019

Warmer weather and the second full week of June can only mean one thing for western Idaho, the Emmett Cherry Festival! What started as a barn dance in 1928, to celebrate the abundant cherry harvest, has turned into the longest running festival within the region. This week long celebration highlights the bright red, juicy fruit with cherry pie baking and eating contests. This celebration seems only fitting as Idaho is ranked number 5 in the nation for sweet cherries including the Bing and Lapin varieties. We also produce tart pie cherries as well! Just like the festival itself the cherry season is short but sweet; lasting from June to July. Did you know that in this short time a mature cherry tree will produce 7,000 cherries?! These small but delicious fruits are also extremely versatile. Use them in everything from Bing Cherry Ice Cream on a hot Idaho day to Cherry Barley Salad.
Even though you can purchase buckets of local cherries at the festival you can skip the crowds and visit one of the U-Pick orchards in the Emmett valley including Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard and Williams Fruit Ranch. If you don’t want to make the drive into the valley to enjoy the sweet delicacies look for Idaho cherries in local retailers such and Albertson’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods or at your local farmers market! Symms Fruit Ranch in Caldwell also has onsite cherries for sale at their orchard! They also will be selling produce in local retailers after June 20th. Always look for shiny, plump fruit with fresh green stems and dark coloring. The Emmett festivities start Wednesday June 12th end on Saturday June 15th so load up picnic basket with local food and make the drive to celebrate Idaho agriculture!

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Asparagus Season

Published: May 9, 2019

Asparagus is in Season!
Fresh, local asparagus is now in season! As the weather warms up, asparagus begins to grow at a fast pace on farms across southern Idaho – growing as much as 6-8 ” on a warm spring day! Producers pick asparagus daily, cutting each stock by hand. You can find Idaho asparagus at retailers, farmers markets and on-farm stands across southern Idaho.
What to Look For: Thickness is a matter of taste, but whether you like thin spears or thick, stalks should be bright green and firm. Choose bunches with firm stalks, tightly closed tips and no flowering.
How to Store: Asparagus is best cooked the day it’s purchased, but it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days in one of the following ways: Wrap the bottoms of the stalks in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag and store in crisper, OR stand the bundled stalks in a bowl or jar with about an inch of water in the bottom.
Preparation: ​This first crop of spring is very versatile. It can be eaten raw, steamed, broiled, roasted or grilled and is great with or without added seasonings. For great asparagus recipe ideas go here.

Posted in Summer Idaho Food
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Craft Beer Month in Idaho

Published: March 19, 2019

April is Craft Beer month in Idaho.
This is the perfect time to drink local beer and also support Idaho hop farmers, barley farmers and Idaho’s craft breweries. The craft beer industry has been booming over the past few years. Idaho has over 50 breweries putting it 10th in the United States in terms of breweries per capita. Idaho breweries like Payette Brewing, Sockeye Brewing and Powderhaus Brewing use Idaho hops and malt barley.

Idaho is #1 in Malt Barley production in the U.S.
Idaho grows 34% of the nation’s total barley crop, of which more than 75% is malt barley. Barley is the soul of beer. Barley malt contributions to brewing include being a source of carbohydrates and protein, as well as providing enzymes to reduce carbohydrates to fermentable sugar and to reduce proteins. Barley is also a source of filter material for “Wort” clarification, and is a source of beer color and flavor. Barley malt provides the best package of all grains for brewing. A consistent supply of malt barley has attracted big companies such as Anheuser-Busch , Great Western Malting, MillerCoors and more to locate in Idaho. Watch this short video Budweiser created thanking malt barley farmers in Idaho.

Idaho is #2 in hop production in the United States. 
Idaho raises a large number of hop varieties. A majority of hops are grown in Southwest Idaho around Wilder, but some are grown in the cool, moist air near Bonners Ferry. The history of hops grown in Idaho dates back to the 1930’s.
Hops climb using sticky hairs to attach themselves to the string that is tied to a wire above. These tall finished plants are called bines. The hop bines are full of cones- the female cones are cleaned, dried, cooled and compressed into a hop bail that weighs around 200lbs. From there the bails are sent to a processing plant to be turned into pellets.

Mill95 is the first hop pelletizing plant in Idaho.
Mill95 is located on Hwy 95 in the center of Idaho’s hop growing region. Mill95 has two large cold storage facilities where they can store the hop bails and the finished product- hop pellets. From cold storage the hop pellets are sent to breweries to help flavor and create delicious beer.

This Outdoor Idaho video takes you on a virtual tour through Idaho from field to glass.

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Eat Idaho-Grown Protein All Year Long

Published: February 13, 2019

In Idaho you may not be able to eat local produce year around, but Idaho proteins like meat and fish are always available. Did you know, if you had to eat all of the beef produced within the state you would have to eat 2 lbs. of beef a day! Beef isn’t the only protein Idaho has to offer. Idaho is the top producer of trout in the United States raising nearly half of all farm raised trout.

Idaho Trout
Fish farms in southern Idaho rely on the 58 degree water full of oxygen to raise trout, sturgeon, caviar and more! Clear Springs Foods in Buhl has raised rainbow trout in concrete raceways since 1966.  Clear Springs Foods is the largest producer of rainbow trout in the world. Idaho trout can be found on the menus of restaurants around the United States.  Learn more about the process of Clear Springs Foods in this short video.
Fish Processors of Idaho also relies on this warm spring water in Hagermen. Leo and his wife Judith Ray began their catfish farm in California, and moved to Idaho in 1973 after learning more about the geothermal water in Southern Idaho. Fish Breeders of Idaho raises United States native blue and channel catfish as well as sturgeon, tilapia, Idaho caviar and trout. In 2003, Fish Producers of Idaho began raising trout for Whole Foods. Check out our recipe page for a variety of trout recipe idea.

Idaho Beef
Local beef can be found throughout the state – maybe because Idaho has more cows than people! Sisler Ranch in Gem County, Red Star Ranch in Jerome County, Desert Mountain Grass-Fed Beef in Elmore County, 24 West Ranch in Ada County, Weiser River Ranch in Adams County, Weiser River Signature Beef in the Weiser River Valley and Wood River Ranch Beef in Blaine County all offer locally packaged beef. Order directly from the farm for Idaho raised beef. Snake River Farms/Agri Beef, headquartered in Boise offers a variety of beef that can be ordered online and shipped directly to your home.  Check out our website for a complete list of Idaho farmers and ranchers near you for their contact information. 

Idaho Lamb
Gutierrez Family Farms raises grass fed lamb. They graze their ewes and lambs year-round on their small farm in Nampa, Idaho. They rotationally graze the flock through spring and summer months and preserve winter hay fields to provide year-round grazing. The hay they supplement for the ewes during lambing is harvested from their own fields. Lamb from Gutierrez Family Farms can now be found at the Broadway Albertsons. Look for their lamb on local restaurant menus like Fork, Remingtons and Capital Cellars. 

Idaho Deer
Black Pine Deer Farm in McCall started in 1998 and has continued to grow ever since. They are now licensed to process and market venison to restaurants, health-food stores and individuals desiring low-fat, low cholesterol, naturally produced venison free of hormones and feed additives. Other deer products, such as breeding stock, hides and antlers are also available. Look for their deer meat at the McCall Farmers Market and the Boise Co-op. 

Idaho Pork
In 2017 Idaho exported $3.4 million in pork products. Pork products can include a variety of items like bacon, sausage, hot dogs, pork sirloin, pork tenderloin and more! Snedaker’s Fine Swine in Cambridge raises all natural USDA pork. Find their pork products at the McCall Farms Market or order direct.
Independent Meat Co. also known to consumers as Falls Brand was founded in 1904. Their processing plant is located in Twin Falls. Look for their product in most retail stores across the states. Not sure what to cook for dinner? Check out Independent Meat Co. recipe page for a variety of ideas!

 

Next time you shop, look for local beef, lamb, pork, elk, chicken, trout and venison. Or, buy directly from the rancher. Find a full list of Idaho protein products here. Still hungry for more local ideas? Follow us on Facebook!

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Give Local this Holiday Season

Published: November 29, 2018

Idaho Preferred participants have made giving local easy this season with a variety of creative gift baskets. From wine to specialty foods, the variety is sure to satisfy even the pickiest person on your Christmas list. Buy a pre-made Idaho basket or create your own specialty foods gift basket with a variety of locally produced products. Find a complete list of Idaho Preferred specialty foods here.

Idaho Wine:
3 Horse Ranch, a winery nestled in the Eagle foothills, has a 3 bottle box set of white wines. These three wines come in a beautiful wooden gift box. Order here or pick up at the 3 Horse Ranch tasting room Wed-Sun 12-6 pm.
Fujishin Family Cellars has refillable Flagon Wine Growlers. Give the gift that keeps on giving and gift a growler full of Cabernet Sauvignon or 2014 Sunnyslope White Blend. The growlers can be refilled, and the wine options change periodically. Order here or pick up at their tasting room Mon-Fri 12-6 pm.
Huston Vineyards offers a two bottle wooden gift box for the perfect holiday gift. Order here or pick up at their tasting room Wednesday-Monday 12-5 pm. 

Idaho Beer:
Payette Brewing has three varieties of holiday beer: Twelve Gauge Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Salted Caramel and Mexican Chocolate. Make your own gift basket with these three beer varieties and matching Twelve Gauge Glassware. Pick up at their tap room- open daily from 11am-10pm.
Powderhaus Brewing sells a pre-made gift basket with beer, Powderhaus swag and more. Purchase at their taproom Mon-Thur 3-10 pm and Fri-Sat 12-10 pm.

Idaho Cheese:
Ballard Cheese offers a wide variety of gift baskets.  Try an Idaho cheese curds sampler box, a three cheese sampler box, or one of several more varieties.  Order online here before Dec.14th to assure delivery by Christmas.
Glanbia Nutritionals has created a variety of gift boxes.  Gift boxes that include cheese, crackers and Falls Brand ham variety packs; one pound cheese variety packs; or even a yearly cheese subscriptions can be found at the Glanbia Cheese Marketplace on Main street in Twin Falls.
Eden Creamery in Kuna has combined three soft goat cheese varieties into a unique gift pack for the person on your list that likes all things cheese! Order here.

Idaho Honey:
Cox Honey sells a variety of gift packs. Place your order here.
Rocky Mountain Honey Co. also offers and ships gift boxes. View their variety of gift options here .

Idaho Sweets:
Farr’s Candy Company has brought together 24 of their favorite chocolates to create an extra sweet gift box! Order this gift box today to make sure it makes it by Christmas.
Weiser Classic Candy offers a variety of holiday gift boxes. Check out their numerous gift box options here.
Sweet Valley Sugar Co. is happy to let you create your own gift box or choose one they have already assembled. Check out their Cookie Gift Packs here.
Homemade by Dorothy has created a unique all Idaho gift box – and its even in the shape of Idaho! This gift box includes a day of Idaho meals including Idaho Potato pancakes, Idaho potato soup, Idaho potato quick bread with huckleberry jelly to top it off. Order this all-Idaho gift here.
Idaho Candy Company: Nothing says Idaho more then a box of Idaho spud bars! Order here
Cowboy Tom’s Flapjacks are made the old fashioned way with a blend of dry ingredients and unprocessed grain. Do you have a breakfast lover on your list? Purchase a gift box with flapjack mix and syrup here. 

Idaho Mustard:
Wagner’s Idaho Foods has 10 varieties of mustard. Purchase a variety pack “The Three Mustard-teers” gift box or the “The Tingling Brothers” and spice up your gift giving this year.

If this is just too much to choose from, visit Idaho Gifts to Go on Main Street in Boise for a variety of gift baskets filled with Idaho products ready to put under the tree.

Posted in Gifts, Holiday
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Thanksgiving Festivities at Idaho Wineries

Published: November 15, 2018

Don’t let your holiday festivities end with Thanksgiving dinner. Start a new holiday tradition with a trip to Idaho wine country! Take your family and friends to the variety of beautiful wineries where you can meet the winemakers and taste their award-winning wines! Find a complete list of Thanksgiving weekend events here.

Fujishin Family Cellars– Thanksgiving Barrel Tasting.
Stop by Fujishin from 11am- 6pm for a barrel tasting November 23-25th. Tasting will be $5 for non-members and free for wine club members. Enjoy complimentary soup from The Orchard House while you sip.

Huston Vineyards– Thanksgiving Barrel Tasting Weekend.
November 23-24th from 12-5pm Huston Vineyards will host a wine tasting and food pairing event. Join owner Gregg Alger around the barrel for a discussion of the 2017 growing season. $10/person

Bitner Vineyards– Celebrate Thanksgiving with Wine and Food
Enjoy wine, food and a great view from 12-5pm November 23-24th. First 100 people Friday & Saturday will receive a Bitner Vineyards stemless wine glass with their wine tasting, and enjoy savory warm chili. $10/Non-member $5/club member.

Ste.Chapelle– Thanksgiving with Ste. Chapelle
Enjoy hourly tours, cheese & wine pairings and tastings straight from the barrel at Ste. Chapelle November 23-24th from 12-5pm. Enjoy appetizer wine pairings and a souvenir wine glass. $15 at the door

Indian Creek Winery– After Thanksgiving Sip ‘N Shop
November 23-24th from 11am-5pm, Indian Creek Winery will offer samples straight from the barrel to sip as you shop from local hand-made vendors. Be one of the first 300 guests and get a special holiday logo glass. $10/entry $5/wine club member

Sawtooth Winery– Thanksgiving Weekend
The fire place will be warm and cozy at Sawtooth Winery on November 23rd from 11am-8pm. Special deals on Sawtooth Sparkling Brut. Live music from 5pm-8pm!

Posted in Uncategorized, Gifts, Holiday
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October is Farm to School Month

Published: October 15, 2018

October is National Farm to School Month and this year Idaho Preferred® will work to help schools in Idaho take part in this celebration by incorporating Idaho foods into cafeteria menus, offering classroom curriculum and suggesting physical activities.
We are encouraging Idaho schools to incorporate a local food in their breakfast, lunch or snack menus. Weekly themes have been created to help identify local foods that are easily accessible or may already be on the menus! Weekly themes include: Idaho grapes, Idaho melons, Idaho apples and Idaho potatoes!

Week 1 – Idaho Grapes

We kicked off Farm to School month with juicy table grapes! Did you know Idaho produces table grapes? Although a small agriculture industry, new growers are now starting to produce table grapes in Southern Idaho. Grapes in Idaho are harvested in late September through early October and are only available for about 4-6 weeks!
Student at Grace Jordan Elementary in Boise celebrated Farm to School with a harvest lunch that included: Idaho cheese, Idaho grown corn on the cob, Idaho grown grapes and local tomatoes grown at the Boise High Community Garden.

Kevin with Dry Creek Farms in Eagle attended the celebration and served the grapes. The kids thought it was pretty fun to have a farmer serving his own produce! The corn on the menu was from Tellez Farms in Nampa. The students had the opportunity to shuck the corn on the cob for their meal that day. Channel 2 News and Channel 7 News joined us at the harvest lunch that day. Watch the full news article here.

We also received pictures from other schools that are participating in the weekly themes. For example to the right is a picture we received of local grapes being served at Homedale Elementary School. Notus Elementary also shared pictures of local grapes being served and positive feedback from the students! 


Week 2 – Idaho Melons

Idaho produces a variety of melons including watermelon, cantaloupe and honey dew. Watermelon is the most common melon type in Idaho and is available through early fall. Over 60 schools in Idaho chose to serve Idaho grown melons last week!


Week 3 is Idaho Apples. Apples are so easy to integrate into menus and kids love apples. Apples in Idaho are available the beginning of September and some varieties are still available through March. Idaho produces 60 million pounds of apples a year making apples Idaho’s top fruit.

Week 4 is Idaho Potatoes. Farm to School month will conclude with Famous Idaho Potatoes. Idaho Potatoes are available year around. Idaho raises a variety of potatoes- reds, russets, golds, fingerlings, and more. Nearly 320,000 acres in Idaho are potato fields!

2018 Farm to School drawing contest. 
In Idaho we love our potatoes and being active!  This year, we want students to draw a picture of the famous Spuddy Buddy doing their favorite physical activities (examples: skiing, dancing, rollerblading, etc).Students who send in a drawing will be eligible to win a prize, like a large Spuddy Buddy or workout shirt! Find the rules here.

More Fun Farm to School Events:
Shoshone School District celebrated this week with a Harvest Festival! They had a guest speaker come and teach the kids how to make cheese balls.
Gooding School District served farm fresh raspberries from Little D’s Berries in Gooding.
Notus Elementary School took 150 students to Blue Barn Produce to pick out small pumpkins in a self made pumpkin patch.
Blue Barn Produce offered teachers a discount on mini pumpkins for their classrooms and their students.

Posted in Uncategorized, Farm to School