Idaho’s Bounty grew out of a workshop with Gary Nabhan organized by Lava Lake Land & Livestock in October of 2006. Since then organizers have met regularly with a long list of producers, small business consultants, government officials, rural development specialists, and with others out of state working on similar projects. We have developed and produced a very successful feasibility survey and have written and applied for a USDA planning and development grant (for the period 9/07-8/08). In February 2007 over 30 persons including many of the organizers, food producers, potential funders, media representatives, consumers and public officials met in Hagerman to discuss the issues involved. In March 2007, we began organizing the monthly sale and distribution of local foods to a test group in Hagerman and the Wood River Valley . These trial Bountiful Food Drops have continued throughout the summer.  

In May 2007 two of our steering committee members had the opportunity to learn from a co-op that has had great success with an online food market. James Reed and Jeannie Wall attended a three day workshop put on by the successful Oklahoma Online Food Co-op. Information was shared on all aspects of their business and software was acquired for Idaho’s Bounty’s new ordering system. It was incredibly informative and inspiring! There were folks from local food co-op upstarts in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Iowa - this movement is taking off and we are part of it!

Also in May 2007 we really began to reach out to the public. We did our first events with a fundraising party for the Environmental Resource Center and for Sun Valley Food and Wine Festival. We put up an informative website, for all to learn from. On the business end we received a matching grant, researched aspects of co-op and non profit structures of business, researched web developers to have our online ordering system up and running by August, and worked on our financials, cash flow plans, and finding a bookkeeper for our new business. The remainder of the summer flew by as the trial food drops continued, research marched on, the new website and ordering software was created and plans were made for our online debut in October.   

Idaho's Bounty Online Food Market opened for its first Delivery Day on October 10, 2007. We now are continuing with these order cycles every two weeks, expanding to new members each week and add new producers too. With each order cycle we learn a little more and work to make our system a little smoother for everyone. Regular meetings with current and future producers, Idaho’s Bounty employees and new contacts keep our new food shed’s new system moving forward! Events such as dinners with local restaurants, events with local businesses, potlucks and educational seminars continue to take place each month.

Idaho’s Bounty Co-op firmly believes that from diligent efforts of all those involved a picture of our local food system in South Central Idaho is beginning to emerge. There is absolutely no doubt that given the will, organization and financial resources much of our food can be produced within 150 miles of our homes. To date numerous ranchers and farmers have joined Idaho’s Bounty with many local, ethically and sustainably produced foods.  There is absolutely no doubt that given the will, organization and financial resources much of our food can be produced within 150 miles of our homes. See Our Products page for these foods.

As support grows with local markets, the varieties of products available will grow. We are on the look out to expand this list with our best and most local options for other valuable products such as oils, salt, organic ice cream, home-cooked foods, bio-diesel, and other value added products.