Blog Post

In 2025, we have seen that in most foreign markets, long-term consumer spending trends show declining expenditure shares for staples (like rice and wheat) and increasing shares for higher value food items—such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Food suppliers and retailers have responded to demand by modifying their products and retail formats to better meet consumer needs. Additionally, multinational retailers have expanded in developing countries. 

October ushers in gorgeous fall colors in our high country, and cooler temperatures. Winter is getting closer!  

As business owners know, attending local events is a strategic move that can help build relationships, test products, grow their brand, and establish a meaningful presence in their community. As luck would have it, October is a great month for foodies and food businesses in Colorado, check out these events:

For Natalie Ross, a Greenhouse Production intern for the City of Fort Collins, the path to her dream job in a botanic garden greenhouse became clearer with each seedling she transplanted. On a cloudy day in late April, Natalie was transplanting lettuce varieties into sixpack flats, readying them for the annual seedling sale at the Gardens on Spring Creek.

September means the new year is just around the corner! This is a good time to start planning for 2026, and taking a look at the upcoming trends can give us some insights into what we can expect.

According to Brainz Magazine (2026 Food Trends), there are 3 main factors that will drive food trends in 2026.

As we take in the landscapes of Colorado, from the sweeping Eastern Plains to the fertile valleys of the Western Slope, we are reminded of the people who help sustain our communities: our agricultural workers.

These dedicated men and women rise with the sun and often work long past dusk. Their labor, steadfast, skilled, and unrelenting, feeds not only our families but communities across the nation. Every ear of corn, crate of peaches, bale of hay, and gallon of milk carries the story of their hard work and unwavering commitment.

Summer is coming close to an end and soon the seasons will be changing. The kids are getting ready to go back to school, and this is a good time to consider the following business opportunities:

By Bethany Howell, Director of Strategic Outreach & Engagement | Read the first part of this blog here.

In mid-June, CDA and Colorado State University's AgNext hosted ranchers, dairymen, livestock producers, and agricultural groups at Methane Day.

In late May, the Noxious Weed Program spearheaded a collaborative effort to treat Mediterranean sage, a high-priority noxious weed in Colorado. 

Metaphorse Growth and Healing Center in Montrose has been providing a safe place for horses and people in their community since 2014.

The horses in their rescue become essential members of Metaphorse's many programs. 

One such program is Hippotherapy, which utilizes the horse's natural gait to aid in occupational or physical therapy sessions. Another program is Equine-Facilitated Learning, where horses are used to support individuals facing mental health challenges.