Over a week has now passed since the severe flooding on the Colorado Front Range. During a period of less than one week, communities in our region received more than 1.5 times the annual average precipitation. While it has been just several days, for many of our friends and families it is hard to remember what life was like before these floods.

Despite the great hardship from the deluge, the connection between local farmers and local food buyers remains stronger than ever. Ollin Farms in Longmont was fortunate in that out of nine acres of vegetables, only a half acre was flooded. None of the produce from that section is being sold. This is one example of how Colorado farmers are taking the responsible high ground to ensure that the freshest, highest-quality, Colorado produce, meats and goods remain accessible through distributors like SOURCE Local Foods.

In this time of crisis and recovery, the SOURCE team is working hard to continue supplying retailers and restaurants with nourishing local food that consumers can count on. During the flooding, our intrepid delivery drivers were determined to perform, and only experienced a few delays resulting from road closures. Despite these closures, purveyors like Morning Fresh Dairy, in Bellvue, CO, were back on the road delivering with just one lost day. Our drivers and suppliers remain steadfast in continuing to provide high-quality food, straight from the SOURCE.

We also understand that meteorologists and climatologists are now discussing and debating whether the flooding was caused in part by climate change. They recognize that, although increases in atmospheric water vapor and changes in jet stream dynamics may have contributed to the recent flooding, a clear causal link is difficult to establish. Nevertheless, we are left wondering whether increasing weather volatility could be the result of human caused climate change. And we are left thinking about what innovations are needed to create even more resilient food production and distribution systems in our communities. Whether science can draw a clear link between climate change and extreme weather events, and the future impacts these extreme weather events may have on our communities, may have very little to do with the very real impacts our families and communities will experience in the future, and the necessity of adaptation these changes will necessitate. While we may not know with certainty that more extreme weather is being caused by climate change, we may all agree that creative adaptation is prudent, and may be very motivated to work together to identify and implement innovative solutions.

In the meantime, we are experiencing the resilience and strength as our communities come together to help one another recover and rebuild.  Below are a couple additional ways you can get involved and help out, including continuing to support local farmers through grocery, restaurant and farmers market patronage.

May the SOURCE be with YOU!

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