September is officially Idaho Preferred® Month 2009, when the Idaho Department of Agriculture and local communities will to celebrate Idaho farmers, ranchers and specialty food producers.
To kick off Idaho Preferred® Month, the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture’s Idaho Preferred® program, Sysco of Idaho, and Thunder Mountain Line teamed up to give locals and tourists a chance to become locavores for a day. More than 300 people jumped on board the “Locavore Express” in Horseshoe Bend to sip Idaho wine and enjoy locally prepared hors d’oeuvres while rolling alongside the scenic Payette River on their way to an all-Idaho gourmet feast in Banks. Much to the delight of local growers and producers, the event was a quick sell out and smash hit.
On September 10, Wal-Mart locations in Meridian, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls celebrated Idaho Preferred® Month by announcing that Wal-Mart stores throughout the state are now offering larger selections of locally grown food products. This effort supports local economies, farmers, ranchers, and lets Idahoans access homegrown foods.
Two years ago, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter declared September “Idaho Preferred® Month” to recognize the bounty and abundance of Idaho products. Now the month-long celebration is one of Idaho’s premier culinary affairs highlighted by several events.
For more information about Idaho Preferred® Month or the Idaho Preferred® program, please visit www.idahopreferred.com.