Eat Local Challenger Profile – Kristine Root

Meet Kristine Root, dedicated locavore and Slow Food Denver Member, who’s family is “Writing their Own Story” in the Eat Local challenge.

Why did you decide to be involved in the Eat Local Challenge?

I know that the more I break out of the traditional food system and connect with local food producers and farmers the more meaningful and delicious my food experience becomes. The Eat Local Challenge just sounded like such a fun way to get involved.

How did you decide to approach the challenge?

My initial reaction was to join the challenge and go “All In.” After all, I have found that any time I push myself out of my comfort zone the opportunity for growth presents itself.

As a mother and wife, I knew I had to get buy in from my family. I presented the Eat Local Challenge over dinner and it was clear that my kids loved the idea of setting their own rules. It’s important to me that I use our life experiences to inspire my children and there’s no better way to do that then to follow their excitement, so we’re going with the kids excitement and “Writing our Own Story.” The theme the kids came up with is Local Fokal; meaning focus on what’s local. Use what comes from our CSA share, garden or local farmers as the center piece around which our entire food story is woven in September. What’s local will take center stage on our plate and in our mind and other non-local food accompaniments may filter in to accentuate. Now that sounds fun!

How does local food play a central role in your life?

About 11 years ago, one of our couple friends decided to move out of the city and start up a farm. They went with a CSA model and we jumped in to support them as members in their first CSA season. We loved the weekly box of food surprises filled with the freshest and tastiest produce ever. We enjoyed heading out to work on the farm for a day to harvest heirloom garlic, till the land, learn specialty crop planting strategies, and play with the goats and chickens. We had already been avid co-op member in Minneapolis, but this was an all new connection with our food. When we moved to Denver, we sought out to recreate meaningful connections in the community with the folks who shared our passion for good food and dedicated their life to producing it. As a family, we continue to support the CSA model as CSA members, as well as volunteer with various organizations that make good, clean and fair food a reality.

What tips do you have for incorporating local food habits into one’s daily lifestyle?

Start by doing some research, or joining the Eat Local Challenge where Slow Food Denver does that leg work for you. Even if you start by just finding one thing, like a CSA share, or MM Local’s delicious holiday beets, you start building a connection with your food at a different level.

Which local product can you not live without? 

Colorado peaches! When I ate my first Colorado peach from our Ela fruit share, I swear I felt like it was the first time I had really tasted the magic of a true peach. I can’t wait until peach season arrives!!!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Recent Posts

March 2024 Letter

March is always an interesting time in Colorado. Spring starts to tease us with its elusive warmth and the passing of the Spring Equinox, but that is coupled with frequent snow storms and a ski season still in full swing. This March we’ve been balancing the changing...

Slowly Savoring Colorado Wines

Growing up in the Columbia River Valley of Washington state, my parents tended beautiful flower & vegetable gardens while my dad foraged and made fruit based wines. Stopping by a winery for a picnic on our drive back from camping or other adventures was so common...

February 2024 Letter

February has come, and nearly gone, with lots of exciting updates here at the Denver chapter of Slow Food. We awarded four new Snail of Approval establishments, welcomed new board members to our organization, hosted two private celebrations, and more!  Last month we...

January 2024 Letter

  We’ve been hard at work to bring so many exciting things to fruition, which we couldn’t be more thrilled about. The changing of the year has brought a new staff member, new Snail of Approval awardees, the launching of a brand new program, and more. In the first...

A Positive Take on Social Media

Many have chosen to take a break from social media with the start of the new year – an effort worth commending. We’ve all fallen victim to doom scrolling and lost minutes or even hours of our lives to the black hole that the internet can become. While there are...

December Letter: Entering the New Year

It’s upon us, a new year in the form of 2024. The changing of the year can bring so many different reactions and emotions. As a team, our sincerest hope is that the coming year brings joy and opportunity for you and your loved ones. However, we acknowledge that...