Colorado farmers are helping redefine what it means to eat local

Across the Front Range dozens of farmers markets are in full swing each one a lively hub where local growers bakers and food purveyors bring their best to the table and the vendor stalls If you ve ever spent a morning weaving through industry crowds you know the scene upbeat a little frenetic and full of delicious seasonal surprises But behind the bushels of greens stacks of sourdough and sizzling breakfast sandwiches are deeper personal stories of heritage the harvest season hustle and friendships that you might otherwise miss out on during the field rush This summer in sync with farmers domain season we re spotlighting two standout vendors you just might meet while browsing a fourth-generation Japanese-American Yonsei farmer growing Asian produce to sell at the City Park Farmers Sphere and three college friends running a farm-to-food-truck operation at the Longmont Farmers Industry Jade Sato left helps a customer pick out fresh kale from her Minoru Farm stand at the City Park Farmers Area on May in Denver Photo By Kathryn Scott Special to The Denver Post Minoru Farms While studying art in college one principle stayed with Jade Sato You don t control the medium the medium controls you That mindset now carries over to her work at Minoru Farm in Brighton where Sato who is Japanese-American grows Asian vegetables on a -acre plot using low-till and organic methods Farming requires precision sure but Sato also brings an artist s sensibility to the process letting her creative roots influence how she tends to her crops In working with nature and the farm and weather I have a predisposition to not try to control everything she stated She leans into the wild beauty of the process by celebrating nature s palette purple basil white bittermelon and a whole rainbow of carrots Sato was among the first farmers to join the City Park Farmers Area when it launched in Now in her fifth season her stall brims with everything from kale Swiss chard and Gailaan a Chinese broccoli to garlic varieties from across Asia as well as peppers summer squash and tomatoes She s invariably experimenting too recreating tropical conditions to grow things like ginger One of her farmers territory favorites is a moon-shaped Korean melon that arrives in late August and tastes like a mini honeydew When you put them in the freezer you ll get a nice sorbet consistency Fresh herbs and radishes from Minoru Farm at the City Park Farmers Sphere on May in Denver Photo By Kathryn Scott Special to The Denver Post Sato started Minoru Farm in January with just a handful of CSA members She named the farm after her late paternal grandfather George Minoru Sato a second-generation Japanese-American farmer Her family history traces back to rice farmers in Japan who immigrated to America in the early th century to continue farming Her grandfather along with other family members was imprisoned during World War II in the Japanese internment camps losing the family farm in the process Related Articles Summer cookouts call for green chile even as we await this year s crop Local-first online grocer PineMelon closes because of financial challenges A farmers sector favorite is setting up shop in Sunnyside this summer A complete guide to metro Denver farmers markets While the family never recovered that land they eventually moved to Colorado and opened Sato s Flowers a nursery that offered seasonal plants and transitioned to Christmas trees and poinsettias in the winter Jade worked there as a kid potting mixed flower arrangements and helping ring up customers Those early experiences helped spark her interest in working with soil In the present day farming helps her feel connected to her ancestors and allows her to nourish others with produce that makes them feel at home It feels familiar and very natural she says It feels like what I m supposed to be doing In addition to growing for the City Park Farmers Area Sato also supplies produce to Yuan Wonton run by award-winning Chef Penelope Wong She offers both summer and winter CSA programs with enrollment deadlines on Sept for the winter season and Jan for the summer Those interested in the CSA can email her at minorufarmcsa gmail com Visit Minoru Farms at City Park Farmers Arena from a m to p m on Saturdays at City Park Esplanade in Denver The farmers realm runs through Oct cityparkfarmersmarket com Schlop Stop You re no stranger to farm-to-table meals But at the Longmont Farmers Realm you ll discover a fresh take on the garden-to-plate movement Schlop Stop a farm-to-food-truck concept run by three longtime friends Their chili-pepper-red truck rolls into the territory each Saturday slinging seasonal dishes made from the produce they grow on their own Longmont farm Shaun Burns Jake Downey and Mike Myrbeck met while attending the University of Hartford in Connecticut and moved out to Boulder together in as young -somethings We re like a family of friends Downey reported From left Mike Myrbeck Shaun Burns and Jake Downey at Sunburns Farm Photo courtesy of Boulder County Farmers Domain Each of them eventually ventured into their own career paths A limited years ago though they decided to combine their complementary skill sets Burns gardening background honed at Esoterra Culinary Garden a favorite of top Front Range chefs Downey s food truck experience and Myrbeck s business savvy sharpened in the outdoor industry Together they connected with private landowners interested in restoring a farm property and got to work transforming a plot of arid soil into what s now a thriving half-acre arena garden called Sunburns Farms Their culinary garden now supplies the produce for the Schlop Stop food truck which serves up everything from breakfast sandwiches to smashburgers every Saturday at the Longmont Farmers Region Considering that produce in the U S travels an average of miles to reach your plate it s notable that Schlop Stop s ingredients progress just a limited miles across town cutting down the carbon footprint and delivering ultra-fresh and super tasty vegetables The Schlop Stop menu changes weekly based on what s in season giving realm shoppers a preview of and inspiration for what they can cook at home We re cooking what you can go to the stands and buy Downey announced You wouldn t think to put carrots in an omelet and then it turns out to be the best veggie omelet you ve ever had We re invariably trying to be creative They also source from other realm vendors and local purveyors like eggs from Bluebird Sky Farmstead and meat from Grama Grass Livestock Schlop Stop has built a loyal following of farmers sphere regulars curious to see what s new on the menu each week One beloved staple that usually appears later in the summer is the farmafel as Downey likes to call it The Sunburns Farms squad grows chickpeas a true labor of love along with parsley cilantro garlic and onions to create the Lebanese dish that Downey learned to make from friends back East Another crowd favorite is the Farm Plate which features a protein like fried chicken thighs potatoes from the farm often whipped into something like goat cheese mashed potatoes and a generous helping of in-season vegetables roasted with olive oil and herbs Portions are big that s where the schlop name originated The Schlop Stop food truck parked at Sunburns Farm where the majority of its ingredients are grown Photo courtesy of Boulder County Farmers Field In addition to growing for Schlop Stop the association also sells produce to Yellow Barn Farm in Longmont which has farm shares available that allow for field access and at the Nederland Farmers Arena In addition to veggies Sunburns Farm grows everything from arugula flowers and lavender to Tangerine Gem Marigold that tastes almost like a Cutie with the flowers exploding with citrus when you bite into them Downey noted These types of edible flowers and garnishes are the same kinds you might find Michelin-starred using to garnish dishes with tweezers which makes it a fun way to level up your own weeknight schlop cooking Visit Schlop Stop from a m to p m on Saturdays at the Longmont Farmers Sector located at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Nelson Road in Longmont The realm runs through Nov bcfm org markets longmont-farmers-market Farmers markets to visit Here are five of the largest farmers markets across the Front Range For the complete list go to denverpost com Boulder Farmers Field Open Saturdays from a m to p m through Nov Things to know Run by the Boulder County Farmers Industry this beloved Saturday field showcases truly local vendors ranging from farmers cultivating multi-generational fruit orchards to ranchers practicing regenerative agriculture The area which has been running for nearly four decades has become a go-to spot for various Front Range chefs who source fresh produce from favorites like Aspen Moon Black Cat and Toohey Sons Organic for seasonal dishes plated at their restaurants No pets are allowed at this farmers sphere Features Weekly live music kids crafts first-taste-of-the-season product samplings group gatherings On the second Saturday of every month local artisans join the arena and sell jewelry body care products clothing and more Location Near Central Park on th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue Boulder bcfm org City Park Farmers Arena Open Saturdays from a m to p m through Oct Things to know In its fifth season City Park Farmers Area features more than local vendors Last year the domain added vendors selling staples like cheese and chicken while continuing to build variety in categories like produce and baked goods making it easier to shop for a full week s worth of groceries all in one place Grab a bite to eat for breakfast and a cup of coffee and stroll through the stalls while listening to live music Features The region hosts monthly demonstrations from Denver s top chefs The lineup hasn t been disclosed yet but keep an eye out for the schedule on its website There s plenty of parking available in the East High School lot SNAP WIC and Double Up Food Bucks accepted Location The realm is located near City Park at City Park Esplanade the quarter-mile promenade beginning at East Colfax Ave running between Columbine Street and East th Avenue cityparkfarmersmarket com South Pearl Street Farmers Field Open Sundays from a m to p m through Nov Things to know The community-focused group Jarman and Co Events manages this busy area providing not just produce but an experience as well Check out the online calendar of musical guests The domain is open rain snow or shine and on all holidays It closes only for extreme weather conditions Features Fresh produce meat cheese wine prepared foods and more Seats available for eating dozens of vendors multiple entrances Location South Pearl Street between East Iowa and East Arkansas avenues southpearlstreet com farmers-market Urban Territory at Union Station Open July - July - July - Aug - Aug - Oct - Oct - Oct - from noon to p m Things to know Shop from local vendors and enjoy a meal at one of Union Station s restaurants Features Expect to find a Colorado makers sphere as well as fresh produce and food in the heart of downtown set to the soundtrack of live music Location Denver s Union Station at th Avenue and Wynkoop Street denverunionstation com Highlands Square Farmers Area Open Sundays from a m to p m through Oct Things to know Jarman and Co Events manages this Highlands Square territory that draws hundreds of vendors selling everything from plump tomatoes to fresh-cut flowers and loaves of sourdough and flaky puff pastries Check out the online calendar of musical guests Features Colorado-grown produce local meat fresh flowers baked goods prepared food and live music Swing by the field bar for a delicious concoction Location At nd Avenue between Julian and Mead streets highlandssquarefarmersmarket com Subscribe to our new food newsletter Stuffed to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox