SA few weeks ago an older gentleman came into the Victor Valley Market to buy some kidney beans. Now I’m going out on a limb here but- judging by his flannel shirt, muddy boots and weathered hands- I’m guessing he was a hard working local farmer or rancher. Judging by what he needed, he was in the middle of a big batch of something slow cooking and yummy and just need a few more beans. When the small package of Organic Kidney Beans rang up at $3.57 he was shocked by the price- told us he had just bought some at Broulims for $.89, slammed the package down and walked out having decided he was willing to drive the 15 minutes back to Driggs to get more beans.

photos: Paulette Phlipot

In hindsight there are so many things I wish I’d said before he left. I could have argued about the economics and environmental benefits of producing organic food combined with small scale buying power of a locally owned market. But what I really wish I’d said was, “You know, you are right. That is too much to spend for kidney beans. What ARE you willing to pay for these beans? It’s a waste of time and gas to drive to Driggs- just pay us a what you think is a fair price.” I didn’t think quickly enough and I’m sure he left thinking organic is a joke, the market was a rip-off and we were all crazy. At any rate, the rift between members of our community was widened yet again.

I have a dream that the Local Food Movement and the quest for good, clean, fair, food can help untie our diverse community. Reviving our local food economies has the potential to guarantee an accessible and affordable supply of healthy, fresh food from regional sources, preserve our agrarian heritage, strengthen our local economy and save our environment.

Slow Food in the Tetons and the Murie Center have come together to create a community-wide celebration of food as part of Spring Earth Festival on Tuesday, April 24, at the Wildwood Room in Victor. We are calling it a Locavore’s Night Out- locavore meaning one who eats a diet consisting of as much locally harvested, produced, bottled, baked, etc. food\. Our intention is to link our local food producers from the Greater Yellowstone Region with consumers, chefs, institutions, and other producers. Print our Poster

A Locavore’s Night Out celebrates your efforts in bringing food production home. We ask for your participation and the chance to share your knowledge, services and products while learning more about our local farms, ranches, canners, breweries, bakeries, CSA’s, florists, etc. We want to illustrate to the community that by supporting local food producers they are supporting our local economy, preserving our cultural heritage and landscape, conserving our land and sustaining our community.

If you are a food producer and would like to participate, please contact Slow Food in the Tetons at 208-787-2610 or the Murie Center at 307.739.2246