We Advocate for Independents.

Today we pause to honor Veterans Day and to recognize how deeply service and community are connected in Idaho’s food system. Many of the farmers, ranchers, chefs, and small business owners who make this industry what it is have served our country, and we are grateful for the ways they continue to serve their communities every day.

As the season shifts, our focus turns fully to the year ahead. Planning is already well underway for our next Field to Fork Festival in early February, and it is shaping up to be our biggest and most dynamic event yet. The goal remains the same, bringing together the people who grow, raise, craft, and serve Idaho’s food and connecting them with the buyers, retailers, and advocates who keep our local food economy strong.

Vendor spaces are now open for Field to Fork Boise 2026, and they always go quickly. If you plan to participate, this is your moment to jump in early.

>> Reserve your Field to Fork 2026 booth here

There is a lot to look forward to in the months ahead. Thank you for being part of this community and for showing up, again and again, for the people and places that make Idaho’s food system thrive.

Celebrating Our Own: Members Named to the Idaho 500

The Idaho 500, compiled by Idaho Business Review, recognizes 500 of the most influential and accomplished professionals in Idaho across industries.

We’re proud to see so many FARE Idaho affiliates featured — their leadership, innovation, and local commitment help strengthen our entire food, agriculture, and hospitality community.

Here are the honorees connected with FARE Idaho and why we're proud to help highlight their efforts to make Idaho great:

Mindi Andersen – Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce: Connecting veteran workforce programs with Idaho’s food and farm sectors.
Amaya Aguirre-Landa – Idaho Grain Producers Association / Mill 95: Championing innovation in Idaho grain production and milling.
John Berryhill – Berryhill & Co. Inc.: A longtime food-industry leader whose legacy supports Idaho’s food system infrastructure.
Gibson Berryhill – Berryhill & Co. Inc. / BACON: Food-processing leadership that keeps Idaho flavors and brands moving forward.
Moya Dolsby – Idaho Grape Growers & Wine Producers Commission: Advancing Idaho’s wine industry through strategic growth and advocacy.
Dodds Hayden – Hayden Beverage Co.: Leading in craft drinks and distribution with a focus on Idaho’s independent spirit.
Lauren Hamilton – Downtown Boise Association: Investing in downtown vitality that supports independent restaurants and hospitality.
Dave Krick – Bittercreek Alehouse: Hospitality stalwart whose independent restaurant helped shape Boise’s craft food scene.
Molly Leadbetter – Meriwether Cider: Building a cider company rooted in Idaho fruit and place-based storytelling.
Alex McCoy – American Ostrich Farms: Niche-ag innovator, adding diversity to Idaho’s food production and processing landscape.
Alex & Andrew Perez – Highpoint Cider: Brothers turning Idaho apples into craft cider with local identity.
Tiam Rastegar – Trailhead: Building spaces and ventures that support Idaho’s entrepreneurship and independent food businesses.
Rocci Johnson – Humpin’ Hannah’s: Local hospitality pioneer known for bold flavor and community-driven concept.
Scott Simplot – J.R. Simplot Co.: A living legend whose decades of influence in agriculture continue to impact Idaho’s independent food system
Earl Sullivan – Telaya Wine Co.: Growing premium Idaho wines and elevating the state’s terroir-driven profile.
Karl Uri – Sun Valley Culinary Institute: Educating the next generation of food-service talent in Idaho’s hospitality sector.
Will Wetmore – Veer Wine Project: Merging wine innovation and Idaho’s agricultural heritage in his craft.

And one more special recognition:

Tammie Halcomb – Executive Director, FARE Idaho

With vision and dedication, Tammie leads FARE Idaho in strengthening our food economy. She brings together farmers, producers, chefs, and food service professionals to champion policies, partnerships and opportunities that expand local sourcing, scale-up independent businesses, and deepen Idaho’s community-based food ecosystem. Her recognition in the Idaho 500 is a testament to the impact FARE Idaho is making across the state.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate these individuals whose work fuels Idaho’s independent food and beverage landscape.

Visit the Idaho Business Review website for the full list of Idaho 500 honorees.

New Year, New Connections — Community Connect at CopenRoss

Start 2026 with connection and collaboration! Join FARE Idaho and the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce for our first Community Connect event of the year on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at CopenRoss Crafthouse & Grill in Boise.

This relaxed networking event brings together community leaders, business owners, agency partners, and employers from across Idaho’s food, beverage, and veteran communities. It’s a chance to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and kick off the new year with renewed energy and purpose.

Enjoy great local bites and beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), connect with industry peers, and support CopenRoss, a proud veteran-owned establishment.

>> Wednesday, January 14, 2026
>> 4:00–6:00 p.m.
>> CopenRoss Crafthouse & Grill

RSVP Here (not required but encouraged!)

Let’s raise a glass to another year of collaboration, community, and growth across Idaho’s independent food, beverage, and agriculture sectors.

Idaho’s independent food system thrives when we come together, and Field to Fork is where it happens.

Join us February 12 at JUMP Boise for FARE Idaho’s largest annual gathering of farmers, ranchers, producers, chefs, retailers, distributors, and food lovers. It’s more than a festival—it’s a statewide celebration of collaboration, connection, and local pride.

Vendor registration is now open, and spots are filling fast! This event consistently sells out, so don’t wait to secure your place. Field to Fork is your chance to showcase Idaho-grown products, connect with buyers, and build relationships that strengthen your business all year long.

Learn More & Register

Join us in celebrating the people and partnerships that make Idaho’s food system thrive.

Board Spotlight: A Special Thank You to Rocci Johnson

FARE Idaho extends a heartfelt thank you to Rocci Johnson, who not only serves on our Board of Directors but also leads our Event Committee with energy, vision, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.

This year has brought new challenges and opportunities, and through it all, Rocci has been the kind of leader who steps up, connects the dots, and keeps our focus on what matters most — building connection, advocating for independents, and strengthening Idaho’s local food and beverage economy.

In true Rocci fashion, she’s also stepping up to help sponsor our upcoming Field to Fork Festival, continuing her incredible support for Idaho’s independent food community. Her advocacy and generosity extend well beyond FARE Idaho, inspiring collaboration across countless Idaho organizations.

We’re deeply grateful for her leadership, her heart for community, and her constant reminder of what it means to show up for one another.

Save the date for December 18, 2025 • 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., when leaders from agriculture, government, development, academia and conservation will come together in the Treasure Valley to explore Idaho’s growing challenges and opportunities around farmland conversion and agricultural viability.

We’re excited to share this summit with our community to help strengthen Idaho’s independent food system—not only by preserving working lands, but by helping build the partnerships, policies and pathways that keep our local food economy resilient and rooted in place.

More info coming soon. Feel free to share the invite with your network

Root Sellers: Pop-Up Farmers Market and Community Celebration Comes to Hailey - Future Roots

Future Roots will host the first annual Root Sellers event on Saturday, November 15 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) at The Sage School Barn in Hailey, featuring a pop-up farmers market, live music, family activities, food preservation workshops, and local eats—all celebrating the fall harvest and Idaho’s local food community.

Tara’s Market Garden: Growing Community - Tara’s Market Garden
From their 5,000-square-foot greenhouse and network of local growers, Tara’s Market Garden operates an online farmers market connecting more than 70 local vendors with customers across Blaine County. Offering everything from fresh produce and baked goods to meats, cheeses, and prepared foods, they deliver weekly and provide a vital year-round source of local food for the Carey community.

Land and Legacy: Growth and Farming in Idaho - Boise State Public Radio

An exploration of how land-use decisions and farmland conversion are shaping the future of Idaho agriculture, local food systems and rural communities.

Two Restaurants Close Abruptly Along Boise River – Idaho Statesman

Two independent dining venues along the Boise River Greenbelt unexpectedly shut their doors this week, highlighting ongoing challenges for local food service establishments in changing lease and urban development environments.

Farmers Are Facing Dire Times Financially - Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Despite strong yields in 2024, Idaho’s total net farm income fell 13 % from 2023 and is about 30 % below 2022, putting significant financial pressure on producers.

SNAP Uncertainty Spiking Demand at Idaho Food Banks - Idaho Capital Sun

With uncertainty around federal food assistance benefits, Idaho food banks report a sharp increase in demand, adding stress to producers and food-system partners amid tighter supply chains.

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