Culinary | Idaho Preferred

Taste your way through bites and sips of Idaho.

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From hands-on cooking classes to farm-to-table dining, the Culinary Guide invites you to taste Idaho at its source. Discover local flavors, meet the makers, and experience the craft behind every bite and sip.

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Nov 26

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Nov 21

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Nov 19

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Nov 19

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Here’s what Idaho growers are bringing to the table in November:
🍎 Apples – crisp, bright, and ready for pies, salads, or snacking.
🥬 Greens & Microgreens – fresh pops of color for hearty meals or side dishes!
🌿 Herbs – aromatic essentials for stuffing, roasts, proteins, and soups.
🧅 Onions – the foundation of every good holiday flavor!
🍐 Pears – sweet, elegant, and dessert-ready. Yummmmy!
🥔 Potatoes – an Idaho classic for every holiday table.
🎃 Pumpkins – from purée to décor, they do it all!
🍠 Winter Squash – warming, versatile, and deeply seasonal.

✨ Holiday Tip: Building a menu around locally grown staples supports the farmers who keep Idaho’s food traditions strong. (Plus, it tastes better!)

🔎 Ready to find these seasonal ingredients near you? Explore the Idaho Preferred Farm + Food Finder (link in bio!) and map your holiday shopping directly from Idaho growers and makers.

#idahopreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

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Nov 13

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Nov 5

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Tis' the season for meaningful gifts—and what could be better than sharing the flavors of Idaho while supporting the farmers, ranchers, and food crafters who make it all possible?

The Idaho Preferred Ag-Artisan Holiday Gift Boxes are back for their 7th year, offering a thoughtful way to celebrate Idaho’s bounty and share a taste of home with loved ones near or far.

🎁Box 1:
@warnreserve
@GritSticks
@northernlatfoods
@lavahotspringsmineralwater
@kingdomsunriseacres
@edencreamery/ @soapriel_soapworks
@cherryhillfarms.idaho
@snakeriverseedcoop
@henandhare with @apisidaho
@tetonvalleybrands
@idahocandyco
@naughty_fruit_snack

🎁Box 2:
@macysappleandhives
Kauffman Farms
@weiserclassiccandy
@freespiritsbevco
@naturesindulgenceinc
@thomascattlecompany
@creeksidemallow
@garlicgods
@cafe_208
@omaandpopies
@uhlorn_family_farms

If you haven't already, be sure to follow the producers' handles to show a bit of extra support this holiday season, and then click the link in bio to order a box or two for your loved ones!

🎄Price: $64.99 + tax and shipping

Boxes ship nationwide. Local (Boise) pickup option available! Order now and pick up starting November 18!

Hurry! Only 250 of each selection box is available.

🔗 Purchase Yours Today: [Link in bio]

| Idaho Preferred is a program of the @isda.idaho. Since the program's start, we've been promoting, connecting, and educating farmers, ranchers and food crafters to help grow their marketplaces. |

#idahopreferred #idahoagriculture #giveeatlocal

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Oct 28

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Kick off the holiday season at Fika, Food + Funk, a cozy, festive holiday pop-up market featuring Idaho farmers and food crafters!

Shop 25+ local food crafters for Idaho-sourced gourmet goodies your friends and loved ones will adore.

In collaboration with:
@freespiritsbevco
@larkandlarder
@proletariatwine
@happy_idaho

🗓 Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 5:30–8:30 PM
📍 Proletariat Wine Company, Garden City

Tickets required for the VIP experience of noshing and sipping, but shopping is free and open to the public! First 20 ticketed attendees receive a complimentary gift bag. (Ticket Link with automatic discount code is in bio!)

| Idaho Preferred is a program of the @isda.idaho State Department of Agriculture. Established in 2003, our mission is to promote, connect, and educate Idaho producers sot they can grow their marketplaces. |

#idahopreferred #idahoagriculture #liveeatlocal

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Oct 23

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SAVE THE DATE! 📆 Late autumn harvest season in Idaho means crisp apples and juicy pears, pumpkins, winter squash, microgreens, meats, and dairy, and the North End @boisecoop Market is the perfect place to find it all. Their shelves are filled year-round with farm-sourced products grown, raised, or crafted by Idaho’s own producers.

Join us for a celebration of the season’s bounty and meet the people behind your favorite local flavors at the Harvest Festival, happening Friday, November 7, from 4–7 p.m. You’ll find an incredible lineup of Idaho makers, including:
🌾 @homemadebydorothy
☕️ @idahokombucha fermented deliciousness
🍎 @tetonvalleybrands potato chips
🌶️ @ay_que_pica_ salsa
🍯 @hoterichoney beverage mixes
🍞 @hudsonbakingco yummy treats
🍷 @hustonvineyards / Chicken Dinner Wine
🌱 @seedsrootsandshootsmixes soup mixes
🥗 @aprilsgreenhousedressings
🥩 @thomascattlecompany beef and tallow products
🍺 @boisebrewing craft beer
🍇 @greenbeltgranola treats
🍽️ @americantablefoods crepes and bake mixes
🍎Charlies Produce for all the tastiest in-season produce from Idaho farmers!

Come taste, shop, and celebrate the flavors of fall — and the Idaho farmers who make it possible.

📍 North End Boise Co-op
888 W Fort St, Boise, ID 83702
🕓 FRIDAY, Nov. 7 | 4–7 p.m.

| Idaho Preferred is a program of the @isda.idaho Idaho State Department of Agriculture, connecting consumers to the people who grow, raise, and craft Idaho products. |

#IdahoPreferred #Idahoagriculture #BoiseCoop #LiveEatLocal

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Oct 21

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On a recent visit to @cherryhillfarms.idaho in Sunnyslope, Caldwell, we met up with Farmer Sean Rowley, who shared the secrets behind growing the iconic Honeycrisp 🍎 — lovingly nicknamed the “diva of the orchard.”

How did this apple get such a reputation? While famous for its unmatched crunch and honey-sweet flavor, it is also one of the most challenging to grow.

✨ Your turn: How do you love your Idaho apples? Fresh off the tree, baked in a pie, or pressed into cider? Tell us your favorite way to enjoy @idapples in the comments!

| Idaho Preferred is a program of the @isda.idaho. Began in 2003, the program connects, educates and promotes Idaho producers so they can grow their marketplace. |

#idahopreferred #idahoagriculture #liveeatlocal

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Oct 8

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@lilpunkinpieco | Idaho Farmer Stories

Ready to visit the pumpkin patch?

Linda Swenson didn’t set out to create a destination farm at @PrairieHomeFarm, but 25 years ago, when she and her husband first purchased the property, she simply was excited to have a place to grow her own food, care for animals, and live out a pastoral kind of life. Today, amid the hum of suburban streets and the neat lines of housing developments, the farm feels like a secret world. Pumpkin vines curl across the soil, blackberries hang heavy in their rows, and in the barnyard, chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits, and ducks roam freely. In the backyard, a lone pear tree stands proud, its old harvest ladder leaning at the ready for picking the higher fruit. Juniper, pine, and cedar trees frame the property, creating a quiet oasis that belies the urban sprawl surrounding it.

The pumpkin patch came almost by accident. One year, she had an over-abundance of pumpkins and wanted to share them with the community. Tje pies followed naturally. With extra garden fruit, she began her small batch bakery, and Lil Punkin Pie was born, with tasty treats that draw visitors as reliably as the seasonal patch itself.

While visitors arrive to pick out a pumpkin or two, it’s the full experience—the cluck of chickens, hauling a red wagon brimming with garden treasures, or feeding the animals—that lingers long after the visit ends.

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @ISDA.idaho, and was established in 2003 to help Idaho farmers, ranchers, and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

🎥:@guyclarkhand

#idahopreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

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Oct 7

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Oct 6

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POV: collecting cute snapshots of Idaho’s harvest, courtesy of Idaho farmers. 🌶️🥕🍎

Discover where your food comes from and explore Idaho’s bounty using the Farm + Food Finder at link in bio.

| Idaho Preferred is a program of the @isda.idaho, connecting you to Idaho farmers and the food they grow. |

#IdahoPreferred #LiveEatLocal #IdahoAgriculture

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Oct 3

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Idaho Farmer Stories *Sneak Peek* | Prairie Home Farm and @lilpunkinpieco

Hey North Idaho, here’s a little sneak peek of what to expect at Prairie Home Farm pumpkin patch this season! 🎃

The pumpkin patch started as a simple idea. Owner Linda Swenson had an abundance of pumpkins and wanted to share them with her community. Slowly, word spread over the years, and today, area residents wait with anticipation for October to roll around so they can pick out their own pumpkins from her farm!

From that humble beginning came something even sweeter: @lilpunkinpieco, crafted from farm-grown pumpkins and fruits, filled with flavor and a touch of whimsy. Linda offers her tasty treats for sale at the @kcfmidaho and takes special orders. Be sure to try one when you visit!

This is just a glimpse of the full harvest experience at Prairie Home Farm —be-sure to watch for the full story later this week and then go pick a pumpkin, savor a pie, and enjoy a taste of the season! 🥧✨

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @isda.idaho, helping Idaho farmers, ranchers,and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

#idahopreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

📹: @guyclarkhand

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Oct 3

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Late-season bounty is still here—but not for long! With cooler nights and shorter days, the harvest window is closing fast.

✨ Find your local market with the Farmers Market Finder (link in bio).

On a recent visit to @woodriverfarmersmarkets, we saw some market favorites from:
🎃 @squashblossomfarm
🐟 @koehntroutfarms
🌱 @gemstategreens
🥩 @4lfarms_

💬 Tell us your favorite producers and farmers market in the comments—we love hearing where you shop local!

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Oct 3

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Idaho Farmer Origin Story | @symmsfruitranch

Symms Fruit Ranch spreads across gentle slopes where the region’s diurnal temperature shifts—warm days and cool nights—help produce fruit with exceptional color, sweetness, and flavor. Known as the Sunnyslope Region, the land itself sets the stage for a farm that has been in the same family for over a century, growing and evolving with each generation.

Founded in 1914, Symms Fruit Ranch started with apples and gradually expanded to peaches, plums, pears, cherries, nectarines, and even onions. Now in its fourth generation, the family continues to innovate while honoring the farm’s heritage. Jamie Mertz oversees harvest schedules, knowing that the early morning crisp air is the best time to pick fruit at its peak. During cherry season, the orchards yield 130,000 to 150,000 pounds a day—a rhythm that requires dedication, long hours, and a little short sleep, but delivers unmatched reward.

The farm’s evolution is visible in every corner. The old packing shed, once lined with wooden floors and hand-packed fruit, has been modernized with high-speed X-ray machines capable of processing hundreds of pieces of fruit every minute. This blend of tradition and technology allows Symms Fruit Ranch to maintain the quality their customers expect while scaling to meet demand across the western U.S. Today, their fruit is available in major retailers including Albertsons, Walmart, Whole Foods, Broulims, Atkinsons, and Stokes.

Innovation isn’t limited to technology. Eva Symms recently showcased the farm’s dried fruit products at the Associated Food Stores food show in Salt Lake City, exploring new consumer markets and diversifying into value-added packaged goods. These efforts reflect the family’s philosophy: evolution is part of business. Just as their grandparents adapted to changing times, the Symms family continues to find new ways to grow, distribute, and share their fruit.

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @isda.idaho, established in 2003 to help Idaho farmers, ranchers, and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

#idahopreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

🎥: @guyclarkhand

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Oct 1

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🎃 What’s In Season: October in Idaho

Can you believe October is here? The season is bursting with cozy flavors and fall favorites, from crisp #apples and sweet #pears to festive #pumpkins and hearty #squash. It’s the perfect month to fill your plate with local Idaho goodness.

Here’s a quick peek at what you can find across Idaho’s farms, grocers, markets, and farm stands this month:

🍎 Apples, pears, and the last of the peaches
🎃 Pumpkins, winter squash, and sweet corn
🥔 Potatoes, onions, and Idaho-grown wheat
🥕 Carrots, beets, and root vegetables
🌿 Fresh herbs, hops, and microgreens
🍇 Grapes and melons
🌾 Teff, Idaho wild rice, and Idaho-grown grains

Planning your meals and shopping?
✅ Download the full October What’s In Season calendar and get inspired by the freshest Idaho-grown ingredients!

To source ingredients, learn some fun and interesting facts about Idaho grown foods, and discover the farmers who grow your food, check out the Idaho Preferred Farm + Food Finder: https://idahopreferred.com/find-local/
(link in bio)

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @isda.idaho , and was established in 2003 to help Idaho farmers, ranchers, and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

#IdahoPreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

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Sep 30

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Idaho Farmer Origin Story | @symmsfruitranch

At Symms Fruit Ranch, the workday begins before the sun rises. By 2 a.m., orchard crews are suited up in miner-style lights and long sleeves, ready to tackle the day’s cherry harvest. Under the guidance of Jamie Mertz, who carefully sets the schedule, the team knows that the early morning crisp air is the key to picking fruit at its peak. It’s a grueling rhythm—130,000 to 150,000 pounds of cherries come off the trees every single day during peak season, and even the most dedicated pickers run a little short on sleep.

Founded in 1914, Symms Fruit Ranch began with apples and has since grown to include peaches, plums, pears, cherries, nectarines, and onions. Now in its fifth generation, the family has fully integrated operations, growing, packing, and shipping their own produce. With the region’s population expanding, the farm is exploring more retail opportunities and venturing into agritourism—diversifying while staying true to a legacy of sustainable farming.

For those who work there, the rewards are as tangible as the fruit itself. “I get to eat as much fruit as I can right off the tree—I’m spoiled,” Jamie admits with a laugh. It’s hard work, but for Symms Fruit Ranch, evolving with the times while honoring over a century of family farming makes every early morning worth it.

Stay tuned for the full length video and to learn more about this hardworking Idaho farm family!

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @isda.idaho , and was established in 2003 to help Idaho farmers, ranchers, and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

#liveeatlocal #idahopreferred #idahoagriculture

📹: @guyclarkhand

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Sep 26

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Idaho Farmer Origin Story | @wisselfarms1911

Founded in 1911, Wissel Farms has been a cornerstone of the Nampa community for 114 years. What started as 100 acres supplying regional grocery stores has evolved into a family farm balancing wholesale, specialty crops, and local connections—all while keeping tradition alive.

Matt Wissel crouches in the squash field, plucking a delicate blossom with a grin. “I like the challenge of it. Some people call it the struggle, but I call it the challenge,” he says. Later this week, Wissel Farms Veggie Club members will find squash blossoms tucked into their boxes, along with a family recipe for fritters—a small gesture that captures the heart of Wissel Farms.

“At Wissel Farms, everyone has a role,” says daughter Morgan Wissel. Her mom, Benita, can be found sorting Wissel Farms Veggie Club boxes, helping at the farm stand, or tending fields, while Morgan greets visitors to the farm stand and Wissel U-Pick (located just down the road) and shares the story of the family and their fields.

The stand is a hub of the season: baskets of fresh produce, flowers, honey, and bread, plus goods from neighboring producers.

Come October, the Wissel Farms pumpkin patch adds a nostalgic touch—low-key, simple, and perfect for families who want memory-making moments.

For 114 years, the Wissels have risen to the daily challenges of farming, caring for their community, and keeping a legacy alive.

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @isda.idaho , and was established in 2003 to help Idaho farmers, ranchers, and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

#idahopreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

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Sep 25

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Idaho Farmer Origin Story SNEAK PEEK | @wisselfarms1911

Step inside the charming little farm stand at @wisselfarms1911, on the corner of Lake Lowell Ave and Middleton Road in Nampa, and the scent of harvest fills the air. Baskets overflow with sweet corn, cucumbers, melons, squash, and vibrant flowers, while fresh-baked bread, local honey, and handcrafted goods from neighboring producers invite you to take home the season. It’s a small space, but packed with the kind of wholesome abundance that inspires locally grown meals and kitchen memories.

Morgan Wissel, is usually there to greet every visitor, offering tips for preparing the week’s bounty and sharing the story behind the produce—from the fields tended by four generations of her family to the traditions that have made Wissel Farms a cornerstone of the community for 114 years.

The Wissel Farms Veggie Club delivers weekly boxes of seasonal vegetables, bringing Idaho-grown flavors directly to members’ tables. For those who enjoy hands-on experiences, the Wissel U-Pick (located just down the road from the farm stand) invites neighbors to stop by 2–3 times per week to harvest their own vegetables, fostering a direct connection to the land.

In addition to serving local residents, Wissel Farms supports wholesale customers, providing high-quality produce to markets and restaurants that value fresh, sustainable ingredients. Each fall, their nostalgic pumpkin patch opens its gates, offering families wholesome fun and a classic ag-venture that celebrates the season.

Watch the full story later this week to meet Farmers Matt, Benita, and Morgan Wissel, and see how a century-old farm continues to grow food—and memories—for their community.

| Idaho Preferred is a program of @isda.idaho , and was established in 2003 to help Idaho farmers, ranchers, and food crafters grow their marketplaces. |

🎬: @guyclarkhand

#idahopreferred #liveeatlocal #idahoagriculture

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Sep 21

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AgVenture Events

Upcoming

3100 Cellars Wine Tastings

Hagerman Farmers Market

Start Your Culinary AgVenture

Find Your Agventure

Discover AgVenture Activities by Region

Check out Seasonal Fun!

Explore Delicious Recipes

Follow Us @idahoPreferred