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From the Field to the Table: How The Community Market is Growing a Stronger Local Food System
The Community Market provides free, nutritious, and culturally relevant food through customer-choice pantry locations in Gypsum and Edwards, Mobile Markets throughout Eagle County, senior and youth programming, nutrition education, and more than 22 interconnected initiatives. But The Community Market is more than a food pantry. It is a community-driven food system that connects farmers, ranchers, volunteers, and neighbors to ensure fresh food is grown, rescued, shared, and enjoyed close to home.
Growing Local: The Community Garden
In 2025, The Community Market expanded its commitment to local agriculture with the launch of the TCM Community Garden – the land which was generously donated by LaVenture Farms – dedicated to growing fresh produce for neighbors while strengthening Eagle County’s local food system. The garden now grows nearly 30 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including parsley, spinach, cilantro, kale, beets, tomatoes, cauliflower, squash, and broccoli – all of which goes directly to stock the shelves at The Community Market. Each harvest helps increase access to fresh, nutrient-dense food while creating opportunities for volunteers and community members to connect with where their food comes from.
Supporting Local Ranchers: Raised Here. Shared Here.
Our commitment to local agriculture extends beyond produce. Through our Raised Here. Shared Here. campaign, The Community Market is connecting local generosity with local ranching by bringing high-quality, locally raised beef to families throughout Eagle County. Protein is one of the most difficult grocery items for many families to afford. When household budgets are stretched, meat is often one of the first items removed from the shopping list. This campaign helps change that by investing in local ranchers so that neighbors have access to proteins they feel good about bringing home. From the ranch to The Community Market to a family’s dinner table, this investment creates a ripple effect that strengthens our entire community.
Building a More Sustainable Food Future
The Community Market’s commitment to local agriculture is part of a larger effort to build a more sustainable, resilient food system for Eagle County. Through partnerships with local farms, ranchers, grocers, restaurants, and businesses, TCM increases access to fresh, nutritious food while reducing waste and strengthening community connections.
From the Community Garden and local harvest efforts to our REcCover food rescue program and our local sourcing of proteins, The Community Market is creating a more circular food system where resources stay within our region. To date, TCM has recovered more than 720,000 pounds of food, preventing quality food from entering landfills and ensuring it reaches neighbors who need it most.
Growing and sourcing food locally is an investment in long-term food security, sustainability, and resilience. It supports farmers and producers, reduces transportation impacts, keeps resources circulating within our valley, and provides families with healthier food options. Together, we are building a stronger local food system where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.