Local Business News
Curated news and information worth Sharing
In this section of the site you'll find news and information we come across related to local businesses in Lafayette Colorado as well as local food initiatives along the Front Range and beyond.
Moringa Vinga: Adaptogen-Powered Sipping Vinegars at Colorado Farmers Markets
via moringavinga.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Founded as a passion project by Michal and Rachael, Moringa Vinga creates adaptogen-powered sipping vinegars through a unique fermentation and cold-pressing process. The family-run business blends organic moringa with herbs, berries, honey, and flowers—keeping all ingredients whole and unheated to preserve probiotics and enzymes. Their three core infusions address different wellness goals: Elderberry & Holy Basil (Immunity, Calm, Breathe), Ginger & Lemongrass (Motion, Soothe, Digestion), and Spearmint & Rosemary (Mind, Renew, Circulation). Moringa Vinga products are available at Colorado farmers markets including Lafayette, Pearl Street, Denver, and Parker. The company emphasizes their production philosophy: 'Raw, living, and nutrient dense organic concentrates are slowly and carefully crafted.' They explain their product uniqueness: 'We use real, raw, and functional whole-food ingredients that nourish mind, body, and spirit.' The company dedicates 15% of profits to support anti-malnourishment initiatives, and their 100% pure concentrations are never heated, contain no additives or powders, and remain shelf-stable for 18 months.
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Mungfu: Allergen-Friendly Lentil Tofu at Boulder County Farmers Markets
via www.mungfu.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Mungfu creates soy-free, plant-based tofu from nutrient-dense legumes including red lentils, yellow lentils, green peas, and mung beans. As a producer at Boulder County Farmers Markets, Mungfu offers allergen-friendly protein alternatives for people with soy allergies or those seeking soy-free options. Their Red Lentil Tofu is described as a signature soy-free tofu alternative that is firm, flavorful, and ready to cook, while their Yellow Lentil Tofu provides another variation of their legume-based approach. All Mungfu tofu products are soy-free, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly, containing 12-14g of protein per serving with no artificial flavors or colors. The company emphasizes creating accessible, plant-based protein alternatives using legumes instead of soy, making their products naturally allergen-friendly for customers with dietary restrictions. Available at Boulder County Farmers Markets, Mungfu brings innovative, health-focused tofu alternatives to the Colorado Front Range community.
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Denver Pops: Family Popsicle Business Growing from Farmers Market to 300,000+ Annual Sales
via CBS News Colorado
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Founded five years ago by Robbie Smith and Ashley Paige, Denver Pops began with a single stand at City Park Farmer's Market and has grown to sell over 300,000 popsicles annually. The couple prioritized family involvement from the start, with Smith explaining: 'We have two kids and we wanted to do something where we could involve them.' Their 10-year-old daughters Bella and Chloe assist during summer visits, making it 'a dream come true, because we get to hang out with our kids while we work.' Denver Pops features 34 flavors made exclusively with locally sourced ingredients without artificial additives or dyes. Regarding their self-distribution strategy, Paige states: 'We want to make sure we deliver the best product possible.' Beyond farmers' markets, they now supply Whole Foods, recreation centers, campgrounds, and vendors statewide, with expansion into franchising underway.
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Spruce House Bread: Jeff Nixon's Award-Winning Centennial Cottage Bakery Showcasing Long-Fermented Sourdough With Organic Local Ingredients
via sprucehousebread.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
Spruce House Bread operates as a cottage bakery at 7198 S Spruce Street in Centennial, Colorado where baker Jeff Nixon hand-mixes and shapes all breads at his home using wild yeast sourdough culture and long fermentation methods that demonstrate how traditional bread-making techniques produce more flavorful and digestible products than industrial processes. Following the philosophy that 'when made the way your ancestors made it, bread is more flavorful and easier to digest,' Nixon sources organic and local ingredients whenever possible, recognizing that short ingredient lists require premium-quality components to achieve exceptional results. Operating on a cottage bakery model where customers place online orders for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday pickup with menus rotating weekly and posted every Sunday, Spruce House Bread proves that small-scale artisan production can achieve professional recognition while maintaining home-based operations accessible to individual bakers. Nixon's commitment to craft earned Best In Show, Best Professional Entry, and Best Bread awards at Denver Bake Fest in both 2023 and 2024, validating that Colorado's grain chain includes world-class bakers who prioritize traditional methods and quality ingredients over production volume. Featured on Daily Grains' platform since September 2022, Spruce House Bread exemplifies the regional grain economy's emphasis on artisan producers who transform local and organic grains into celebrated products through time-honored fermentation techniques, demonstrating how cottage food laws enable skilled bakers to build professional reputations and serve communities without requiring commercial bakery infrastructure.
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Star Acres Flower Farm: Mother-Daughter Cut Flower Farm in Arvada, Colorado
via www.staracresflowerfarm.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Star Acres Flower Farm is a mother-daughter run flower farm located in Arvada, Colorado, between Denver and Boulder. The farm cultivates cut flowers and curates events with an expansive Rocky Mountain view. Their flowers are available via bouquet subscriptions or roadside farm stand sales, providing Colorado residents with locally-grown, seasonal cut flowers.
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Wiley Farm & Co.: Cultivating Healing and Community Through Ecology-Based Farming
via www.wileyfarmandco.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Wiley Farm & Co. operates with the mission of 'cultivating plants, healing, creativity and community through ecology based farming,' extending their sustainable, ecological farming practices beyond agricultural production to encompass wellness and community engagement. The farm runs an online herb and tea market (launched Black Friday) designed to support farmers directly, offering bulk herbs, Camellia sinensis (tea plant varieties), and herbal tea blends. Their farm-to-consumer model emphasizes transparency, ecological stewardship, and holistic wellness through herbal products, with wholesale partnerships and strong community connections through their newsletter and social media presence.
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NOCO Chocolates: Women-Owned Artisan Chocolates at Colorado Farmers Markets
via nocochocolates.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Founded by Sara Khoudary, a certified professional chocolatier who transformed her childhood dream into reality during the pandemic, NOCO Chocolates is a women-owned enterprise nestled in Colorado's Rocky Mountain landscape. Khoudary enrolled in a Professional Chocolatier program and built the company as 'a beacon of pure indulgence' with emphasis on community connection. NOCO offers all-natural, handcrafted chocolates and caramels using traditional methods with ingredients sourced directly from small-scale cocoa farmers committed to fair trade practices and organic farming. The company provides soy-free, corn-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly options, ensuring accessibility across dietary preferences. Khoudary emphasizes their ingredient philosophy: 'Every bite is free from artificial additives, ensuring you enjoy the true essence of cacao and natural sweetness.' The company's mission extends beyond sales: 'We're not just selling chocolates; we're creating experiences.' As a women-owned business, NOCO aims to 'inspire and empower women entrepreneurs by creating a ripple effect of strength and sustainability.' Products are available during Spring through early Fall months at seasonal farmers markets across Northern Colorado, with free pick-up options at designated market locations.
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Dry Storage: Chef Kelly Whitaker's Mission to Change Colorado's Food System Through Grain
via www.thirstcolorado.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Founded by James Beard-nominated chef Kelly Whitaker in Boulder, Dry Storage operates as a comprehensive grain-to-table operation featuring a mill, bakery, cafe, and research laboratory. Whitaker built a 3,000-square-foot milling facility that grinds 200 acres of Colorado grains using traditional granite stone, producing nearly 1 million pounds of milled flour in its first year. He describes this as 'a regional grain opportunity at the highest level,' connecting distillers, maltsters, brewers, and bakers to regional farmland. Using five heirloom grain varieties chosen for regenerative properties, Whitaker explains that locally-grown grains are 'culturally relevant' to Colorado and views grains as 'a beautiful medium for year-round menus.' The operation serves sourdough, French baguettes, English muffins, and seeded loaves alongside natural wine and craft beer, aiming to 'change the white-bread sandwich mentality' while selling flour to retail customers and wholesale to chefs.
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Sweet Gold Juice Co: Minority-Woman Owned Organic Cold-Pressed Juice in Denver
via www.sweetgoldjuiceco.com
Posted January 1, 2020 2:00 am
> Sweet Gold Juice Co. is a minority-woman owned mobile juice bar in Denver, CO offering organic, cold-pressed juice crafted in small batches from 100% organic fruits and vegetables with no added water or sweeteners. Their selection includes raw, unpasteurized cold-pressed juices, nut milks, smoothies, immunity shots, and gluten-free vegan snacks—all designed to deliver nutrient-dense, bioavailable superfoods for deep nourishment and healing. The company is strongly committed to waste reduction through their glass bottle return program and offers delivery across the Denver metro area.
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After more than a century, agriculture is still alive in Boulder
via The Denver Post
Posted October 20, 2019 2:00 am
> "Our cows eat nothing but grass. They're on land that's very expensive. It's not subsidized by the government," says Clint Buckner of Buckner Family Ranch, exemplifying their commitment to high-quality, sustainable livestock farming on 850 acres of Boulder County land.
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