“The earth is self-fulfilling, the earth is self-nourishing, and the earth is self-educating.”
Our Story
With a vision woven from our valley’s rich agricultural landscape, Foodshed Alliance started as a single seed before becoming an abundant and interconnected system where each piece is as important as the last.
Foodshed Alliance sprouted in 2007 with the support from dedicated local citizens, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and a USDA Rural Economic Development Grant. Today, Foodshed Alliance represents dozen of local food producers and artisans within a 100-mile radius of Chaffee County, Colorado. We support thriving Farmers Markets in Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado and throw ShedFest - the regions annual farm-to-fork harvest celebration.
Our Founding Members and who we owe much gratitude are:
Suzanne Ward, David Ward, William Gardiner, Seth Roberts, Beki Javernick, Byron Shelton and Lori Boydston.
Thank You!
Our Team
Sofia Adinolfi, Market Manager
Sofia is a Kansas girl at heart. Born in Manhattan and raised in Kansas City, the tallgrass prairie was her backyard. Growing up she loved exploring the prairie with her family and going on camping trips with her dad and brother. Despite Kansas being home to some of the largest agricultural production in the country, Sofia never felt more disconnected from the local food system. She attended Kansas State University for undergrad and studied Horticulture Production and Spanish. During her time at university, she discovered just how important our global food system is and developed an appreciation for food, nutrition, health and how they are all connected through the food system. After graduating from K-State she moved to Salida to be closer to friends and for the magic of the Arkansas Valley. In her free time she enjoys rafting on the Arkansas, cooking, and exercising.
Favorite vegetable: Red cabbage
Our Board
Max Keller, President
Born and raised in Minnesota and grew up in North Carolina while attending UNC-Asheville. Thirteen years in college and all he has to show for it is a bachelor’s degree. Subscribing to the Mark Twain quote, “I never let my schooling interfere with my education,” He's made, sold, welded, built, caught, taught, trapped, trained, tagged, bagged, assisted, instructed, consulted, cleaned, chopped, cooked, represented, ushered, guarded, guided, led, read, even put preschoolers to bed. He likes to play outside, run, boat, jump, fly, float, make art, make music, watch, wonder, grow, explore, climb trees, climb rocks, laugh, love, cry, smile, share, skip, splash, surf, swing, swim and swear that he's living the life…wanna go ride bikes? He loves to learn, looks to grow, seeks to share and hopes to inspire others along the way.
Favorite Vegetable - “The one I'm about to eat.”
Leah Underwood, Secretary
Leah graduated from Western State College with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Economics. She is a 20+ year resident of Chaffee County and has been involved with local food since 2010. She is the Owner of Divine Fruits, an heirloom produce company, and past farmers market vendor. Leah currently works in accounting, specialized in local small businesses and organizations with agricultural/environmental pursuits.
Favorite Vegetable - Brussels Sprout
Matt Croghan, Board Member
Matt and his wife, Ann, relocated to Salida from Denver in 2014. New to town and new to being parents they settled in for the next chapter. Matt is the owner of Poncha Creek Gardens in Poncha Springs. Established in 2016 at the Salida Farmers Market, Poncha Creek Gardens specializes in microgreens, growing year round. Beyond farming, Matt enjoys being a stay at home dad for their three children. Hiking, skiing and playing outside is a major part of their life.
Favorite Vegetable - Broccoli
Tiffany Collette, Board Member
Tiffany Collette, is co-owner / operator of Rocky Mountain Garlic. Growing garlic since 2010, garlic is her spirit animal.
Favorite Vegetable - Garlic!
Lindi Lewis, Board Member
An avid gardener, Lindi loves being a part of this community and especially the vibrant and energetic Salida farmers market with the Triangle Oasis. Her favorite thing about the market is seeing people buying food that makes them happy and healthy.
Favorite vegetable - Cucumber
Leah Tuter, Board Member
When she is not helping her husband with their handmade jewelry business, Copper Gulch, she enjoys walking, tending to her garden, and flowers. Leah would die for vegan almond flour coconut macaroons.
Favorite vegetable - squash and microgreens
Kevin Korb, Board Member
Kevin grew up in the northeast and moved to Colorado in 2015. He owns and operates Meadows Edge Farm and Foxtown Farm in Buena Vista. He grows a wide variety of vegetables, but specializes in ginger and turmeric production.
Favorite vegetable - broccoli
Janni Lombardi, Board Member
Janni was born and raised on a farm in Western Kansas, then moved to Colorado to attend Cosmetology school. The call of the mountains brought her to Salida where she stays busy doing hair and raising her 2 boys with her amazing husband Nick. Janni loves exploring in nature, spending time with family and friends and taking trips back to the farm.
Favorite vegetable - carrots