Located in Western Colorado, the Valley Food Partnership (VFP) foodshed spans the productive valleys, mesas and grazing ranges of the West Elks and San Juan Mountains. With a long regional heritage of agriculture, the Valley Food Partnership seeks to keep these roots strong and deeply attached to the local economy and health of our communities. Current projects include the Eat Local Eat Healthy farm to restaurant program, Western Colorado Food and Farm Forum, Local Farmacy Rx fruit and vegetable prescription program, support for numerous school and community gardens, Farm to School efforts, Savor the San Juans, and the year round Montrose Farmers Market. VFP includes a diverse group of stakeholders, each of whom are dedicated to growing our local food system while improving the health of our citizens and economy. Our partners include farmers, parents, health professionals, restaurateurs, chefs, educators, non-profit organizations, and community based organizations such as the hospital, school district, recreation departments, and senior programs. VFP’s mission is to strengthen the health of the community through strengthening the health of our regional food system – both the production and the local consumption of healthy, fresh food. We strengthen the local food system and the well- being of the community through: Community Education– Providing community awareness, programs, education and involvement that improves access and affects positive behavioral changes in both consumers and producers Strengthening Local Food System Infrastructure– Increasing the capacity of the community food system infrastructure by developing opportunities for improving production, marketing, distribution and value added capabilities Policy– Acknowledging the importance of policy at all levels and by maintaining communication with policy makers on highly related food system issues