The Power of Local Food
In this episode, host Kristina chats with Meredith Rose, owner and operator of Rose West in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Meredith shares her journey from the suburbs of Chicago to becoming an aggregator of the local agricultural community. Rose West offers CSA boxes of local goods from partnerships with farmers and ranchers as well as products grown at Meredith’s homestead. Meredith discusses the significance of making local food accessible and the importance of connecting with your community.
Photo credits: Ali Hall Photography
Music attribution:
A Folk Story by Alex Cristoforetti
Timestamp & Show Notes
1:12 introducing our guest, Meredith Rose
1:36 upcoming “Thinking Like Water” film screening
2:31 Meredith’s background and business, Rose West
5:45 how does Rose West fulfill community needs
11:35 importance of promoting local food more than one day a week
13:10 hard balance of ensuring local food is accessible
14:25 knowing when to cut back
17:00 identifying partners and building relationships with those partners
19:50 any similar business models
22:00 incorporating feedback and adjustments with CSA program
25:06 seasonal changes in her CSA programs
29:56 advice for anyone interested in starting something like this in their community
31:00 rapid questions round
Resources mentioned:
