Summit County Citizens Voice

A young visitor at the Dillon Farmer's Market enjoys a cup of shaved ice.

Fresh produce, fair trade goods and live music featured at Dillon market; please click on the ‘read more’ link to see a slideshow from the June 11 market

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Farmer’s market season has arrived in the high country, and not a moment too soon for high country residents who are snowbound eight months of the year.

The first edition of this year’s market in Dillon was held June 11, and will continue every Friday from 9 a.m. until early afternoon through Sept. 3. Fresh produce is still somewhat limited, although Pastures of Plenty, a 35-acre organic farm located north of Boulder, was selling some very fresh and tasty mixed greens and spinach for as little as $4 for a small bag, along with fresh-cut flowers.

See some photos from the Dillon Marina area and from the backcountry near the Eisenhower Tunnel, here.

Dillon tries to emphasize vendors who deal in fair trade, which means producers of the goods, often in developing countries, get a little more of the profit. The Fair Trade movement also advocates for social and environmental standards that advance goals of global economic and environmental sustainability. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate and flowers.

As well, the Dillon Farmer’s Market is a great place to learn about some of the many local organizations doing volunteer social and environmental work, along with organizations like the High Country Conservation Center, which has been a huge force in helping Summit County along a path of sustainability.

Stop in and visit with the folks from the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District and learn about volunteering for a local trail project, or chat with staffers from the Family Intercultural Resource Center, who address social needs in Summit County, including operation of a food bank which helps feed scores of needy local families.

The Dillon Farmer’s Market is also aiming to go zero-waste, so pitch in, and make sure you toss your rubbish in the correct bin. There are volunteers who can help you sort through what goes where, and if you’re confused, ask your food vendor if their plates and cups are compostable or recyclable. Get a full listing of Colorado farmer’s markets here.

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Filed under: Dillon, Summit County Colorado Tagged: | Dillon, Dillon Farmer's market, fair trade, Farmers market, Summit County, Summit County Colorado, Summit county events, Summit county farmer's markets, Summit County News