Shop Local Wheat Ridge
Localworks is a partner with the City of Wheat Ridge and our local businesses to advance the Wheat Ridge as a vibrant and sustainable place to live and work. Part of what makes Wheat Ridge Special are the small businesses that not only provide residents with unique and original creations, but also contribute to our local economy. Localworks strives to assist in the economic development of Wheat Ridge, alongside our small businesses and business owners. “The purpose of local development is to build the capacity of a defined area to improve its economic future and the quality of life for inhabitants.”
“When you shop local, you're making a personal investment in your neighborhood and community. In fact, for every $100 spent, roughly $68 to $73 of it returns to local activity. Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms.”
Why is it important to shop local?
“When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your neighborhood and community. In fact, for every $100 spent, roughly $68 to $73 of it returns to local activity. Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms.”
Shopping locally stimulates our local economy and in turn helps sustain Wheat Ridge’s unique character and personality. “Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. In fact, since the 1970s, more than 65% of new jobs have come from the rise in small business.
Not only do small businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they’re also the customers of local businesses themselves.”
Local business owners provide significant support for non-profits, like Localworks, as well. In fact, non-profits receive as much as 350% more money from local shops than non-locally owned businesses.
Shopping local also reduces our environmental impact. To learn more about shopping local and sustainability please visit https://sustainableconnections.org/why-buy-local/.
Some Wheat Ridge businesses, and those in the surrounding areas, are making an effort to eliminate food insecurity in our community. Whether you support said local businesses, or donate food yourself. The impact YOU can make is remarkable.
Food Insecurity and Resources to Help
What is food insecurity?
Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.
Food insecurity can affect anyone. Unfortunately, many people in America struggle to meet their basic needs, which increases their risk of food insecurity. For example, lay-offs at work, unexpected car maintenance, or an accident can suddenly force a family to choose between buying food and paying bills. The causes of food insecurity are complex (www.feedingamerica.org).
Are you or someone you know struggling with food insecurity? We hope this page can provide some resources for our community members; however, please note that this is not an all encompassing list. More resources and information can be found on these sites:
- https://jeffcoeats.org/2019/09/food-pantries-in-wheat-ridge-co/
- https://wheatridgepoultry.com/in-the-community
- https://www.findhelp.org/food/food-pantry–wheat-ridge-co
- https://www.findhelp.org/food/emergency-food–wheat-ridge-co
- https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/co-wheat_ridge
- https://denvercommunityfridges.com/locations/
- https://www.5fridgesfarm.com/Community-Partnerships
Local and sustainable businesses to check out!
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCAL WHEAT RIDGE BUSINESSES
If you or someone you know would like to be included on this list please contact Adison at awash@wearelocalworks.org. We are seeking businesses that are locally owned and operated, have a commitment to contributing to our community’s sustainability efforts and are frequently/would like to be involved in community events. We are here to promote all businesses that allow residents to “shop local”! We can’t wait to hear from you.
Wheat Ridge Poultry:
For this information and more please visit https://wheatridgepoultry.com/
What is Wheat Ridge Poultry?
Wheat Ridge Poultry is a local, sustainable and family-run butcher right here in our community. They got their start in 1942 as a family run poultry farm offering fresh chickens, turkey and eggs. They still use many of their original equipment and building hardware to this day! Wheat Ridge Poultry are whole animal butchers that work directly with producers/growers. They have fresh cuts daily, smoked and cured meats, sausages and bacon, as well as produce. They take pride in the fact that they have developed strong relationships with local ranchers and farmers to ensure that they bring the highest-quality, locally sourced products in Wheat Ridge.
Wheat Ridge Poultry are local champions. They are invested in our community and believe that the only way to do business is by giving back. They are committed to helping make Wheat Ridge a better place. They host a Community Fridge Project and Weekly Food Pantry deliveries. They also are committed to having zero waste. Scraps and Bones that would normally be dumped in a landfill are: used to produce raw pet food, donated to local animal sanctuaries and used to feed the tigers at the downtown Denver Aquarium.
Wheat Ridge Poultry are proud to host the first community fridge in our community. The fridge and pantry are supported by community members who wish to share their food with others who are in need. The fridge is open to anyone who needs food or has extra to donate.
Food Pantry assistance:
Regardless of your position in life, everyone deserves access to fresh, high-quality, locally sourced and sustainably raised products. They currently work with 5 local food pantries to help feed over 1,000 families in our community!
Local Producers & Growers:
They strive to work with local producers and growers to help support our local food system. If you know of a local product that would be great in our store, send them an email at info@wheatridgepoultry.com
Bag Credit Program:
Their Bag Credit Program has helped raise funds for community schools, school supplies, and sports teams. Plus, you Save Money too!
Holiday Meals:
Each year we donate more than 100 complete holiday meals to neighbors in need. Your continued support helps us help them.
Community Support:
It is our mission to help our community!
From fundraisers to the community fridge, we continue to find ways to give back.
If you would like to learn more about any of their support please click here or email info@wehatridgepoultry.com.
How can I support Wheat Ridge Poultry?
There are many ways that you can support Wheat Ridge Poultry, but to put it simply, shop local! Visit The COOP & Kitchen at 5650 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO. The COOP & Kitchen at Wheat Ridge Poultry is an indoor market that brings together farmers, ranchers, and food producers to bring attention to the importance of eating local, supporting local, and shopping local.
The COOP is OPEN TO ALL SHOPPERS!
“A community food system is designed to support local growers and producers, packagers and distributors, residents of all needs, assist in building a better environment and work towards ending food waste and food insecurity.
Local producers and processors are real people in our community growing and packaging real products that can benefit our community and ensure that our food supply is one that allows enough for everyone.
Our mission is to help make the switch from large and convenient, and cheap to small, local, and fair.”
Five Fridges Farm:
For this information and more please visit https://www.5fridgesfarm.com/
What is Five Fridges Farm?
Located at 11100 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO, Five Fridges Farm is a local, sustainable and accessible farm right here in Wheat Ridge. Five Fridges Farm “strives to research and practice realistic local solutions to the issues in our current food system: access, waste, taste, environment, soil/range management, water use, and land conservation.”
This farm was originally known as Red Wing Ranch, owned by Earnestine and Walt Williams from the 1930’s to the mid 1990’s. They raised steer, hogs, chickens, and later goats! In 2010, Amanda Weaver began working with then-owner Louise Turner, a long-time Wheat Ridge resident and farm neighbor. In 2011, Amanda took over as the new owner of the 13-acre sustainable urban farm and began renovations on the old farmhouse. During renovations, refrigerators of all ages and sizes were removed from every room of the 800 square foot farmhouse. Hence, the name 5 Fridges Farm.
Amanda is a local Wheat Ridge resident. While finishing a dissertation on the viability of local food production in Colorado, Amanda apprenticed Turner with dairy goats in the urban environment. While teaching at CU Denver, she now maintains dairy and weed grazing herds, flocks of chickens and turkeys, hives of bees, as well as growing a variety of vegetables for local restaurant sales. Amanda uses her farm as her research lab and classroom, teaching urban agriculture, sustainability, and environmental science.
The city has grown up and around the farm since Earnestine’s time. But Five Fridges Farm has a totally unique opportunity for “urban agriculture.” The city will continue to grow around the farm, but the farm will remain the same as Earnestine established a conservation easement on the land known as the William’s Wildlife Preserve. This is managed by Colorado Open Lands. The farm is protected for agriculture use and wildlife habitat forever! The land cannot be subdivided or built on outside the envelope of the currently existing building. Earnestine wanted to conserve the place she loved for future generations to enjoy. Though it is privately owned, it is monitored every year to ensure that the conservation values are maintained.
“The farm works closely with Colorado Open Lands to promote information about conserved lands by holding events at the farm as well as participating in Conserved Colorado – a website listing products and services available at locally conserved farms. For more information on privately conserved land, please see the Colorado Open Lands website.”
5 Fridges Farm has a 3BL Evaluation for Projects (triple bottom line)
Social: Provide and maintain healthy habitats and diets for animals and insects
Financial: Be local and financially sustainable
Environmental: promote and sustain the land they live on
5 Fridges farm partners with many businesses within the Wheat Ridge community and the surrounding areas. Here is a list with links of all the current partners of 5 Fridges Farm.
- Butterfly Pavilion
- City of Wheat Ridge
- Clear Fork Cider
- Colorado Plus Brew Pub
- Colorado Open Lands
- Cooking in the Dark
- University of Colorado Denver
How can I support 5 Fridges Farm?
There are many ways that you can support 5 Fridges Farm, but to put it simply, shop local! You can buy directly from 5 Fridges Farm on their website. You can also take cheese or poultry classes.
If you have any questions about the farm, how you can support them, or how they can help you please click here to contact Amanda.
All Seasons Holiday Market:
What is the All Seasons Holiday Market?
Located at 7200 W 38th Ave, All Seasons Holiday Market is similar to a farmer’s market you’d see outside, but instead moved indoors to accommodate their vendors and customers all year long. All Seasons Holiday Market is a unique shop full of gifts, foods and holiday decor while supporting many local Colorado vendors. They are home to over 30 individual vendors with all types of products as well as something special each specific holiday. You can find anything from unique greeting cards to resin art, coffee, hand blown glass figures and so much more.
All Seasons Holiday Market carries local products and supports local creators. Lana Austen, opened her business five years ago. Before owning All Seasons, Lana was hustling at other markets selling her honey she makes from keeping bees! You can still purchase Lana’s honey today in her shop! Lana describes her shop as a family, they are a community of people that support each other not only professionally but, but also personally.
All Seasons Holiday Market is very active in our community. They participate in all sorts of events, from a Localworks Live Local event to the Carnation Festival, Wheat Ridge Farmers market and more. They are involved with the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Grange and Kiwanis club as well. Over the years, they have hosted a community yard sale for the neighborhood each year and donate to a local food bank.
All Seasons Holiday market is a unique place, not many small businesses can say they are home to over 30 other small business vendors. The shop allows vendors to be able to affordably sell their products. Lana says, “[All Seasons Holiday Market’s] sustainability vision is to provide goods and services to the community while supporting the small businesses that create them.”
How can I support All Seasons Holiday Market?
There are many ways that you can support All Seasons Holiday Market, but to put it simply, shop local! You can buy directly from All Seasons Holiday Market’s shop, located at 7200 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, or stop by and see them at their varying booths at community events.
If you have any questions about the shop, how you can support them, or how they can help you please call (720) 295-4642.
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCAL WHEAT RIDGE BUSINESSES
If you or someone you know would like to be included on this list please contact Adison at awash@wearelocalworks.org. We are seeking businesses that are locally owned and operated, have a commitment to contributing to our community’s sustainability efforts and are frequently/would like to be involved in community events. We are here to promote all businesses that allow residents to “shop local”! We can’t wait to hear from you.
Sources used throughout this page:
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