Spotlight on Sharing: Farm to Table at the Library

People of all ages are becoming interested in how to grow and prepare their own food, whether for better health, to save money, or as a hobby. Libraries are stepping up to meet their needs in many creative ways, from providing gardening plots to hosting cooking competitions.

In this Spotlight on Sharing post, we’ll see some examples of how libraries help patrons get creative with their food—from farm to table.

Gardening

Ask a Master Gardener

  • Broomfield Library
  • Saturday, June 4 & June 18, 10:00 am – 1 pm
  • Do you have gardening and landscaping questions? Colorado Master Gardeners have the answers! The Broomfield County Master Gardeners will be in the library lobby to answer questions. No registration required.
  • Event website

Muddy Fingers Garden Club

  • Denver Public Library, Eugene Field Branch Library
  • Meets monthly. Next meeting is Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  • It’s a planting party! Each month we plant in our garden and create a fun, botanic-inspired craft. This program is ideal for children age eight and older.
  • Event website

Community Garden at Anythink Wright Farms

  • Anythink Wright Farms includes a community garden, maintained by local community members in partnership with Denver Urban Gardens. To reserve a plot in the Anythink Wright Farms garden, please email wfcommunitygarden@gmail.com.
  • Website

Ready, Set, Grow!: Gardening Storytime

  • Mesa County Libraries
    • Wednesday, June 1, 2:00 pm at the Fruita Branch
    • Wednesday, July 15, 10:00 am at the Orchard Mesa Branch
    • Friday, July 22, 11:00 am at the De Beque Branch
  • Enjoy stories about plants and gardening. Also, plant your own seeds to take home to your own garden.
  • Event website

Growing Vegetable Soup

  • Eagle Public Library, Holy Cross Community Room
  • Wednesday, June 15, 1:00 pm
  • All rising K-6th grade students are invited to join us to learn about gardens, compost and how the veggies we eat are grown. Students will also make their own mini-gardens to take home!
  • Event website

Mountain Gardening Basics: Growing in a Mountain Climate

  • Gunnison Library
  • Tuesday, June 7, 7:00 pm
  • Learn from Shirley Babler and Sandi Thurston, Apprentice Master Gardeners, how to grow flowers and vegetables in a mountain community and how to best use microclimates and find suggestions for dealing with wildlife.
  • Event website

Cooking

Super Salads

  • Broomfield Public Library
  • Thursday, June 2, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
  • Learn how to make your own salad dressings and what veggies go great together in super salads in this hands-on cooking class!
  • Register online
  • Questions? Contact the reference desk at 720-887-2350.

Bon Appetit Cookbook Group

  • Jefferson County Public Library, Standley Lake & Arvada Branches
  • Next meeting: Sunday, June 19, 1:30 pm, Arvada Branch Library
  • Now we’re cookin’! Do you love browsing through cookbooks? Do you adore trying new recipes or cooking techniques? Do you enjoy sampling and sharing new dishes? Well, hang onto your spatula; we have just the group for you.
  • Here’s how it works: We’ll have a theme every month. Any group members can bring a prepared dish from either one of the cookbooks chosen or their own! (Of course, it’s not mandatory to bring food; you’re welcome to come for ideas and an exchange of food prep information.) It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the kitchen or if you can make a soufflé with your eyes closed. Either way, everyone eats and has fun.
  • Event website

Quick Pickling with Local Caterer Monica Kadillak

  • Denver Public Library, Decker Branch Library
  • Saturday, June 18, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
  • What can be done with nearly any summer vegetable and even some fruits? Pickle it. You’ll discover a fast and easy process to pickling what you find at a farmers’ market, or from your own garden.
  • Event website

Raw. Vegan. Not gross. Book Talk and Cooking Demo with Laura Miller

  • Denver Public Library, Central Library Conference Center
  • Saturday, June 11, 2016 – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
  • Raw. Vegan. Not Gross. is the debut cookbook from YouTube’s Tastemade star Laura Miller. Meet this fascinating cook and author as she demonstrates easy techniques for making your food healthy and sumptuous all at the same time. In Laura Miller’s kitchen, healthy and sumptuous are not mutually exclusive and that is a boon for all of us! Eschewing a strict or dogmatic approach to raw veganism, Laura’s self-deprecating humor, candor about issues of food and body-image, and infectious enthusiasm make her the ideal guide and travel companion for people who want to fall back in love with produce or simply celebrate the joy of real, good food. Tastings of several of Laura’s fantastic creations will be included in this delicious event.
  • Registration suggested: register online or call 720.865.1205 to reserve your spot.

LibraryChef Junior : Kids Cookoff

  • Poudre River Public Library District, Old Town Library
  • June 8, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
  • Do you love Top Chef, Chopped, MasterChef, and Cutthroat Kitchen ~ “Junior” style? Calling all food enthusiasts with a passion for experimentation and creativity! Join us for team games and activities that will include elements of popular cooking competitions. And of course, all challenges are based on your favorite stories. (Don’t worry parents, no sharp knives or flames included!) Please note allergies or gluten-free.
  • For kids ages 9-11. Registration required.
  • Info and registration

Food Saving 101: Equipment and Ideas

  • Pine River Library
  • Thursday, June 2, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
  • Enjoy a rare chance to experience the differences (why, what, cost) between 5 vacuum sealers and 3 dehydrators, a variety of canning equipment including jam maker and electric water bath canner. What do you need versus nice to have?
  • Event page

High Altitude Baking with Brandi Levin

  • Basalt Regional Library District, Community Room
  • Monday, June 13, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
  • Event website

Cookie Cook-Off

  • Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library
  • Friday, June 24, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
  • Calling all bakers! Do you love to make cookies? Bring two dozen cookies that you have baked, and we will all get to judge them. We will have three age categories 13 and younger, teens, and adults. Parents must attend with children. Registration required.
  • Event website

Fueling Your Engine

  • Carnegie Library of Trinidad
  • Tuesday, June 21, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Join us to explore wellness through balanced nutrition and healthy practices!
  • Event page

Spotlight on Sharing is an initiative that aims to increase the visibility of resource sharing in Colorado libraries. How is YOUR library sharing? Let us know by filling out this super short form. If you’re on Twitter, tweet @hitchlib or use the hashtag #spotlightonsharing.

Amy Hitchner
Latest posts by Amy Hitchner (see all)