Farmers Market Week:
Farmers, food producers, consumers and processors across the United States are celebrating Farmers Market Week, August 6-13. Farmers markets and other direct agricultural marketing outlets generate nearly $9 billion for the U.S. economy each year. There are over 50 Farmers Markets in Idaho – to find one near you click here.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Now Appearing at a Farmers Market Near You…
Peaches: Idaho has ripe, sweet and juicy peaches that are in season from August-October. Peaches from Idaho are tree-ripened and picked when they are at peak of flavor. To pick the perfect peach, look for one that is plump and firm but not too hard, bruised or shriveled. Have you ever tried a donut peach? This sweet treat is aptly named because it is super sweet and shaped just like a doughnut! Find them at Garrett Ranches and Cliffs Market in Caldwell.
Sweet Corn: Sweet corn is a summer favorite in Idaho and can be found at local fruit stands, farmers markets, road-side stands and retailers. Sweet corn that is ripe and ready to eat should have bright green husks and have individual kernels that can be felt through the husk. For the best eating experience, corn should be consumed as soon as harvested and/or purchased. If that isn’t possible, store unshucked corn in the refrigerator.
Summer Squash: Summer squash includes zucchini, yellow squash, patty-pan squash and crookneck. Summer squash grows on a bushy type plant that does not spread like winter squash do. Find a delicious zucchini recipe here. Wagner Farms and Rice Family Farms and The Berry Ranch are great places to find a delicious variety of summer squash.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers are in season from July to September in Idaho. Select cucumbers that are firm and not shriveled and should be heavy for their size. Cucumbers are a great way to add flavor, crunch and color to your salad. However, if you plan to make pickles, make sure you buy pickling cucumbers – not slicing cucumbers – for best results. The best place to find local cucumbers is at farmers markets and farm stands.
Melons: A fresh juicy melon is a must have for BBQ’s and picnics. Look for melons that smell sweet and don’t contain soft spots on the rind. Idaho farmers grow watermelon, cantaloupe and other specialty melons. Watermelon growers in Idaho include: Crawford Farms, Wagner Farms, Wissel Farms and Nielsen Brothers Produce/Pace-Nielsen Farms, Inc. Here is a quick and easy recipe with all Idaho ingredients to take to your next family BBQ.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a healthy snack eaten plain, atop a juicy hamburger or added to a salad or salsa recipe. July through October is the perfect time of the year to find ripe tomatoes in Idaho. A good tomato is bright red (or yellow or orange) and firm enough to resist pressure, but not hard. Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature NOT in the refrigerator. Combine fresh Idaho peaches and fresh tomatoes to make this perfect salsa. Look for H&H Farms tomatoes at the Boise Farmers Market every Saturday – or check the Farmers Market in your community for other local growers.
February is National Heart Month and Idaho is bursting with heart-healthy products
When planning your landscaping design this year, choose to plant Idaho-grown trees, shrubs and flowers from local growers. Idaho nurseries grow a wide variety of hearty, beautiful trees and shrubs that thrive in Idaho’s high desert climate. Whether you’re looking to start your perfect green oasis from scratch, or add to what you currently have, Idaho nurseries can recommend the perfect plants for your outdoor space.
Idaho growers concentrate on zone hardy, deciduous trees, evergreens, ornamental fruit and flowering trees as well as drought tolerant shrubs including potentilla, currant, cistena plum, juniper, redtwig dogwood varieties, spirea, virburnum and forsythia. Our local growers and retailers are experts in their field and understand that soil conditions vary greatly throughout Idaho. Visit one of our
Boise Area
There are many great places in Idaho where you can take your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, but this year why not make a special meal for two at home? Perhaps your culinary skills aren’t at the same level of some of Idaho’s top chefs, but with the right, local ingredients and a great recipe, anyone can make a tasty homemade meal!
Our January Restaurant of the Month pick was easy as pie (pun intended). 
This locally owned and operated franchise truly takes great pride in supporting their local economy. Idaho Pizza Co. provides jobs to over 300 local families and supports Idaho farmers and ranchers. Their pizza and other menu items are made with Idaho grown, raised and processed ingredients. The flour and cheese alone account for approximately 32% of their food products. Now that’s keeping it local! View their full menu 
Yes, it’s winter in Idaho but you can still find some fresh produce items including potatoes, onions, apples, garlic, winter squash and herbs. Potatoes, onions and squash are always a great staple to have in your kitchen as they can be added to almost any meal. There are still local apples floating around in January, too. Look for Fortress (
Meat and fish are an Idaho raised product that is always in season. Look for local beef, lamb, pork, bacon, sausage, elk, chicken, trout and venison when out shopping for your next meal. Try something different like Idaho raised yak meat from 
Idaho is the third largest dairy state in the nation. We have an abundance of locally produced dairy products available all year-round. Look for milk, cheese, butter, cream and other products from Darigold, Meadowgold, 
Add a different kind of protein to your diet and shop for local beans and lentils. 
Whether you’re looking for on-the-go energy, your daily chocolate fix or a savory snack, Idaho has an abundance of local, specialty foods that you can find in stores everywhere. Look for honey, jelly, jam, baking mixes, bars, soup mixes, syrups and more. A few of our favorites include: 
Check out our Idaho Preferred brands including 
The glass is always full in Idaho as we have some amazing local beverage producers including wine, beer and spirits. The craft beer industry is booming and Idaho has landed some excellent breweries such as Payette Brewing Co., Powderhaus Brewing and Sockeye Brewing, all brewers using Idaho grown hops and barley. Sip the suds that are made with Idaho-grown ingredients. Idaho has over 50 wineries in the state, some of them use Idaho-grown grapes! Check out our list of wineries below. Idaho has some pretty amazing distilleries as well. Local spirits include potato vodkas from 44 North Vodka and whiskey and bourbon from 8 Feather Distillery. The best part about these beverages? They are not only brewed, distilled or bottled here in Idaho, they are also made with Idaho-grown hops, barley, grapes, grains and potatoes!
Love dining out? So do we. And lucky for us, we can continue to make local choices when eating outside of our own kitchens. Chefs and culinary experts in Idaho have done a fantastic job of sourcing locally grown and raised ingredients when possible and producing wonderful seasonal menus and year-round staples. Some of these year-round menu items include bread, cheese, meat and french fries but also look for the items on their seasonal menu or the daily special. Don’t be shy, ask you server, “What’s local on the menu?” They will be happy to point out the Idaho menu items for you to choose from. Any chef who is sourcing Idaho ingredients wants the consumer to know they are eating the best, quality, local products available! Most restaurants call out Idaho farms on their menu too, so just be sure to look or ask.
Take the 
What do Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Madagascar and Idaho all have in common? They were named in the 2017 Top Ten Hottest Travel Destinations by Vogue Magazine.