Colorado: One of the Largest Food Producers in the Nation
It’s no surprise that Colorado is known for its the Rocky Mountains, cattle industry, and its winter and summer recreational activities. However, it may surprise you to know that Colorado is one of the leading food producers in the nation. The Centennial state actually has unique attributes that allow it to grow some of the best produce in the U.S.
Colorado is home to some of the countries largest fruit and vegetable producers. Throughout Colorado’s valleys and fields are farms full of cantaloupes and melons, carrots, sweet corn, dry beans, leafy greens, onions, potatoes, and other produce such as cucumbers, pumpkins, apples, strawberries, and peaches.
There are many reasons why this state produces such quality produce. The main reasons are water, altitude, sunshine, temperature, location, and food safety.
Being “The Mother of all Rivers,” allows Colorado to have the purest and freshest water to create some of the best produce in the country. With overflow from major rivers like the Colorado, Rio Grande, South Platte, and Arkansas, Colorado provides a life source to its fruits and vegetables that is unmatched. The “Mile High State” uses its high altitudes to its advantage as well, this allows for great amounts of ultraviolet light intensity that will increase growth and ripening in our fruits and vegetables.
There is also a great temperature variance in Colorado due to its warm days and cool nights. These diverse temperatures work to condense crop sugars, which means sweeter and better produce. The winter months of Colorado also help to decrease pests in the produce throughout the entire year.
Colorado is conveniently located in the center of the United States and is relatively close to major export markets. This means faster transportation and an advantage on freight costs. The Colorado Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, work together with growers to promote safe agriculture and handling practices.
So the next time you plan a trip to Colorado pencil in visiting some of our major fruit and veggie producers, right after your white water rafting excursion of course.
This information was gathered from Colorado.gov. I encourage you to read and learn more about what Colorado offers and visit some of the local growers.