“Denver
has always been known as a city that appreciates ‘farm-to-table’ and
using fresh produce and locally sourced foods, but this new law creates a
whole new level of urban farming that will allow the city to become one
big farmer’s market,” says Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT
DENVER.
Under the new law, which takes effect on Friday, July 18, 2014,
Denver residents will have to purchase a permit, but then will be able
to sell from their home raw and uncut fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs
that were grown by the seller either on site or in a community garden.
They will also be able to sell whole eggs produced by chickens or ducks
kept by the seller at home, or “cottage foods,” which are low-risk,
unrefrigerated food products made on-site such as spices, teas, honey,
jams and certain baked goods. People can sell from inside or outside
their home from 8 a.m. to dusk and can sell up to $5,000 of goods a year.
“Denver
has become a leader in urban farming,” Scharf says, noting that two
years ago, the Colorado Convention Center opened the Blue Bear Farm on
the grounds of the massive convention center and is now growing 5,000
pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables and spices used in the convention
center’s kitchens. “Many city restaurants have already put in their own
gardens and farms, and now they will be able to buy vegetables, eggs,
jams, and fruits grown right in the neighborhood,” Scharf said.
Visitors
will be able to hop on a B-cycle, Denver’s bike sharing program, and
bicycle from farmer’s market to farmer’s market, stopping at individual
homes along the way to try baked goods and fresh vegetables. Denver’s
larger farmer’s markets, such as Cherry Creek Farmer’s Market on Saturday and South Pearl on Sunday,
feature live music and food trucks and have become popular weekend
destinations. For more information on Denver’s Farmers Markets, go to: denv.co/farmersmarkets.
“Eating
locally sourced food has always been an important part of a vacation to
Europe or into the countryside, but now it is being extended into an
urban environment and will give visitors a new way to explore – and
taste – Denver,” Scharf said.
For
more information, including how to secure a permit, a list of
permissible cottage foods, and tips for your home garden, visit denvergov.org/homebusiness. The sale of marijuana or marijuana-infused products is not allowed.
Additional
resources are also available at the Colorado State University Denver
Extension Office, which provides resources on soil testing as well as
classes on urban farming, cottage foods and food safety. Visit denverext.colostate.edu for more information.
