Boise Farmers Market

Welcome to the Capital City Public Market of Boise, Idaho. The Market is an on-going, centrally located gathering place where local farmers and producers can sell their products to community residents and visitors. The Market upholds the age-old tradition of allowing the consumer to meet the producer while encouraging the production and consumption of agricultural products in the Treasure Valley. Maintaining a diverse mix of products offered for sale at the Market will provide direct marketing opportunities for growers, specialty food vendors, and artisan vendors alike. The Market is more than just a place of business, it is a mutually beneficial and sustainable community activity.

The vegetable scent and color of the bus blended in with the fresh organic produce at the market. A collective of interesting folk felt the pull of the homegrownprosperity magnet, stopping by to discuss the need for a more sustainable future. Walt, a local city and university coordinator, was interested in the hands-on demonstrations we had at the bus. He believed the role of the bus to be valuable especially in lesser populated communities.  The wind for schools program he is involved with promotes energy independence.  We came across multiple examples of this model in North Dakota and South Dakota as well. 

Once again, the biodiesel demonstration attracted several interested folks who were already producing their own biodiesel or were planning on retrofitting their engines to run on waste vegetable oil.  We were able to offer advice for streamlining the process by referencing the myriad of others pursuing the same process on our renewable energy tour.

Local food was the real flavor of the market.  Farmers from around the region offered a variety of produce and local goods. Many boasted the heralded 'organic certification', while others had placards of 'locally grown, fresh, chemical free'.  The issue of organic certification became evident as several farmers reiterated the expenses, time, and hurdles of meeting and maintaining the certification.  With our bellies full of local fruits and veggies, we headed to the river for a float on the Boise River before heading to Oregon.