An effort to connect consumers directly to local farmers and ranchers is expanding west river.
The South Dakota Local Foods Co-op currently operates East River in Brookings and Sioux Falls. Organizers say it’s coming to Rapid City and Spearfish soon.
Consumers can go on line and browse items provided by local producers – they then pick up the ordered items monthly at a predetermined location.
Holly Tiltenbyrne says the co-op provides all local food–an option she says is not widely available elsewhere.
“Anybody who has an internet connection can get on an order local foods that support their local producers and help support their local economies and eat healthy food in the process,” says Tiltenbyrne.
Tiltenbyrne says about 150 members are involved in the East River co-op.
She says community informational meetings are planned for in Rapid City on Wednesday, May 29 from 6 to 7:30 pm at the City School Administration Building Community Room at 300 6th Street and in Spearfish on Thursday, May 30 from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Grace Balloch Memorial Library at 625 N. Fifth Street.