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The suspension of dine-in business due to COVID-19 has inspired several restaurants and food halls to switch gears and function as social distancing-friendly markets, providing meat, produce, and, yes, toilet paper, to customers via pick up and delivery. Meanwhile, local wholesalers that typically supply ingredients to your favorite restaurants are now offering their products to consumers to continue supporting local farmers who are at risk of losing revenue. Read on for nine ways you can shop local and support Colorado’s small businesses and producers:
Denver Central Market is offering grocery market boxes filled with goodies from its on-site vendors. The packages contain everything you need to create multiple meals at home and they range in price from $45 for the Italian Family box (filled with a tray of heat-and-eat lasagna from Vero, a loaf of bread from Izzio Bakery, and a whole chicken and roasted veggies from SK Provisions) to $135 for the Big Box (packed with Green Seed veggies, meats from the Local Butcher, desserts, pasta, and more). Purchase online from Green Seed for pick up or delivery between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
That's only $1 per issue!
Boulder County Farmers Markets, which delayed the opening of its open-air markets until at least May 2, has partnered with Big Red F Restaurant Group (the Post Brewing Co., Zolo Southwestern Grill, and others) to host a series of pop-up farm stands. Each Wednesday, Big Red F will promote a box of produce via Facebook and Instagram that will be available for pre-order to be picked up on that Saturday between 12 and 2 p.m. at a participating restaurant. The next box can be picked up this Saturday, April 4, at Zolo Grill in Boulder ($40) and the Post Brewing Co. Rosedale in Denver ($35) . Boulder County Farmers Markets will also launch a virtual market model with curbside pick up at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont beginning April 25, and also created a list of farmers who are selling their bounty at farm stands or offering pick up or delivery services.
Snooze An A.M. Eatery’s creative to-go packs, available daily for pickup or delivery (7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) run the gamut from DIY breakfast cocktail kits ($25 each for the bloody Mary and mimosa kits) to everything you need to brave another morning in quarantine (the Provision Neighborhood kit includes a gallon each of milk and orange juice, a loaf of sourdough, coffee, eggs, butter, bananas, and avocados for $45).
Modern Market Eatery launched an online store selling several grocery store box options, each of which is packed with enough ingredients for eight to 10 meals: the re-Fresh box ($60) has a bounty fresh veggies, fruits, and herb seasoning; the Grill box ($80) includes 100 percent grass-fed steak, 10 servings of mac and cheese, a container of fresh chimichurri sauce, and more; and the Immunity box ($70) is filled with leafy greens, juices, nuts, and other antioxidant-packed goodies.
Besides delivering menu favorites from Edible Beats restaurants like Root Down, Linger, and El Five, the hospitality group is also selling bodega items. From 12 to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, you can order fresh foods such as goat cheese and beets and pantry items like toilet paper and paper towels for pick up from Root Down or delivery to your door.
Golden’s Tributary Food Hall & Drinkery has transformed itself into the Farmers Market at Tributary, which may just become your new grocer of choice. In addition to prepared meals from food stalls like Woodgrain Bagels and Fringe Pizza, you can also grab mixed produce boxes, River Bear American Meat products, dairy and eggs, and more, along with large-batch cocktails, beer, and wine.
Specialty ingredient supplier Altamira Foods is now delivering to home chefs. Get hard-to-procure items like black tahini and caviar via next-day delivery in the Denver metro area, which is free with orders of $50 or more.
FoodMaven’s rescued bulk products are usually only available to restaurants and institutional kitchens in Colorado Springs, but grocery shortages and stay-at-home orders led the company to open up its offerings to Springs and Denver consumers for pick up (Monday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m.) and delivery. Get discounts on ugly-but-delicious produce, grains, meat, dairy, and more while helping eliminate food waste and helping a local company.
To find a growing list of other wholesale purveyors now offering retail groceries (think: GrowHaus, Rebel Farms, and Buckner Family Farm), click here.
