We Advocate for Independents.

From Connection to Commitment

Field to Fork 2026 delivered exactly what it was designed to do. Producers connected with buyers. Buyers discovered Idaho products they did not know they needed, and in some cases, products they had been searching for but did not know how to source. Booth conversations turned into follow-up meetings. Follow-up meetings are already turning into new placements on menus and retail shelves across the state.

That is not incidental. That is the outcome.

Field to Fork is more than a gathering. It is a business accelerator for Idaho food producers. It is a sourcing opportunity for chefs and retailers. It is a concentrated day where market access becomes real. When a rancher secures a new wholesale account or a specialty food maker expands into a new retail location because of one introduction made in that room, that is measurable impact. That is economic development happening in plain sight.

This year’s event was our largest and most impactful yet, and that momentum is thanks to you. To our sponsors who invest in this work, to our vendors who show up ready to build relationships, to our speakers who share their expertise, to our volunteers who keep everything moving, and to every attendee who engaged in meaningful conversations, thank you. Field to Fork works because this community shows up with intention.

The festival has been supported in part by USDA funding, and that grant cycle is now winding down. We do not sell tickets. We do not operate on gate revenue. Field to Fork and our broader programming are sustained by sponsorships, underwriting, and direct community investment.

The momentum is there. The demand is there. The impact is real. The financial runway is tighter than many realize.

At the same time, our advocacy work continues. One example is the Direct to Consumer Act (S1283), currently advancing through the legislative process. This bill has meaningful implications for producers and small food businesses across Idaho, and we encourage members and partners to stay informed and engaged as hearings are scheduled.

FARE Idaho operates in two lanes that reinforce one another.

> We create market opportunity.

> We engage in policy that protects and expands it.

Both are essential to a resilient, locally rooted food system.

If you believe in the tangible outcomes we are delivering and in the long-term strength of Idaho’s independent food economy, now is the time to stay involved, stay engaged, and invest in keeping this work moving forward.

Together, we move from connection to commitment.

As referenced in Tammie’s note above, the Direct to Consumer Act (S1283) is currently advancing through the Idaho legislative process and carries meaningful implications for independent producers and small food businesses across the state.

At its core, S1283 is about modernizing and clarifying Idaho law so that producers have clearer, more consistent pathways to sell directly to customers. For many farms, ranches, and specialty food makers, direct-to-consumer sales are not a side channel. They are foundational to cash flow, brand development, and long-term viability.

Whether through online ordering, farm pickup, event-based sales, limited distribution models, or direct shipping, today’s marketplace requires flexibility. This legislation aims to reduce unnecessary regulatory friction while maintaining appropriate food safety standards.

In practical terms, that means:

Expanding access to market for small and mid-sized producers
Supporting rural economic development
Strengthening Idaho’s local supply chains
Giving consumers greater access to Idaho-grown and Idaho-made products

When producers have efficient, predictable ways to reach customers, the entire food ecosystem benefits, from chefs and retailers to distributors and families at the dinner table.

Where the Bill Stands

S1283 is expected to be heard in committee in the coming weeks, with potential floor consideration to follow. Exact hearing dates are still being finalized.

You can review the full bill text here:

Direct to Consumer Act (S1283)

If this legislation impacts your business, your sourcing strategy, or your ability to access local products, your voice matters.

Here are simple ways to engage:

Contact your district legislators and share how direct-to-consumer sales affect your business or community
Submit a letter of support once hearings are announced
Attend or sign in to support the bill during committee hearings
Share real-world examples that illustrate the need for clearer market pathways

Lawmakers respond to lived experience. Stories from producers, chefs, retailers, and consumers carry weight.

FARE Idaho will continue to track this bill closely and advocate for policies that protect and expand opportunity within Idaho’s independent food system. As always, we appreciate your engagement and partnership in this work.

Field to Fork 2026 Was Our best Year Yet!

From packed panel discussions and chef-led classes to meaningful buyer connections and a buzzing vendor marketplace, this year’s festival showcased the strength, creativity, and resilience of Idaho’s independent food system.

We saw producers meeting chefs, educators connecting with operators, policymakers listening to industry leaders, and real conversations happening across every corner of the room. That is exactly what Field to Fork is designed to do, bring the food system together in one place to learn, collaborate, and move forward.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Charlie’s Produce, our incredible sponsors and partners, every vendor who showed up and shared their work, our panelists and instructors, and the hundreds of attendees who made the day so impactful. Your participation is what makes this event matter.

Idaho’s food system has never been more important. We are grateful to everyone who continues to invest time, energy, and leadership into strengthening it.

Buy Idaho’s Wholesale Idaho event is designed to connect local producers with buyers who are actively looking for Idaho-made products to place on retail shelves. This focused wholesale showcase gives brands the opportunity to present their products directly to grocers, retailers, and purchasing decision-makers in a streamlined, business-first setting.

📅 May 13, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 110 S Georgia Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605
If you’re a producer ready to grow your wholesale footprint, this is a strategic opportunity to build relationships and expand distribution within Idaho.

Learn more: buyidaho.org/wholesale-idaho

FEATURED MEMBER: CANYON SPRINGS FARM

Located in Buhl, Idaho, Canyon Springs Farm is redefining what responsibly raised fish can look like in the American West. Specializing in premium steelhead trout, Canyon Springs combines Idaho’s pristine spring water with careful stewardship and modern aquaculture practices to produce a high-quality, consistently fresh product.

Steelhead raised at Canyon Springs benefit from the naturally cold, clear water of the Snake River Aquifer, creating ideal growing conditions that support both fish health and flavor. The result is a clean, firm, mild fillet that performs beautifully in professional kitchens while remaining approachable for home cooks.

Canyon Springs Farm plays an important role in Idaho’s food system by supplying regional chefs, retailers, and distributors with locally raised seafood. In a landlocked state, they demonstrate that seafood production can be both sustainable and regionally rooted.

We are proud to spotlight Canyon Springs Farm as a FARE Idaho member committed to quality, stewardship, and strengthening Idaho’s independent food economy from the ground up.

FEATURED MEMBER: EARTHWISE FARMING

EarthWise Farming LLC is advancing the future of agriculture through autonomous, sustainable farming solutions. We operate the ANT, an autonomous farming system built by Barn Owl Precision Agriculture (BOPA), designed to precisely and efficiently handle in-field weeding.

By reducing reliance on manual labor and chemical herbicides, EarthWise Farming helps growers improve efficiency, lower costs, and farm more sustainably.

Whirlwind Year for Agriculture: Inside Ag – KTVB
Idaho agriculture leaders reflect on a year marked by shifting markets, weather challenges, policy changes, and ongoing workforce pressures, underscoring both the resilience and volatility shaping the state’s food and farming economy.

Idaho Bumps Texas to Reclaim No. 3 Milk State Ranking – Idaho Farm Bureau
Idaho has reclaimed its position as the nation’s third-largest milk-producing state, surpassing Texas as dairy production continues to play a critical role in the state’s agricultural economy and rural communities.

4 Idaho companies are in the running for Good Foods Awards. Who are they? – Idaho Statesman
Four Idaho companies were named finalists in the 2026 Good Food Awards, including Idaho Kombucha Co., ERTH Beverage Co., Free Spirits Beverage Company, and Brush Creek Creamery. The national recognition highlights Idaho producers crafting standout beverages and artisan cheeses while meeting environmental and social responsibility standards.

Boise’s Amélie’s Restaurant Given 30 Days to Address Operational Issues – MSN
Boise’s Amélie’s restaurant has been given 30 days to resolve compliance and operational concerns or face potential closure, underscoring the regulatory and financial pressures many independent restaurants continue to navigate.

Data Centers and Other New Large Loads Are Driving Sharp Increases in Idaho Farmers’ Electric Bills – Idaho Capital Sun
New data centers and other high-demand energy users are contributing to significant electricity rate increases for Idaho farmers, raising concerns about long-term cost pressures on agricultural producers and rural communities.

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