In a small rural community like Archuleta County, change doesn’t happen all at once. It happens when people come together, again and again, to listen, learn, and take the next step forward.
That’s exactly what the Archuleta Food Summit has become. In 2026, community members will gather for the third biennial Food Summit, marking six years of steady progress that began in 2022. What started as a simple conversation about food and health has grown into a community-wide effort to build a stronger, more resilient local food system.
At the first Summit in 2022, the focus was on listening. Residents, growers, and local organizations shared their experiences, what was working, what wasn’t, and what families were facing when it came to accessing healthy food. It laid the foundation for deeper connection.
By 2024, that connection had grown into a shared vision. Conversations expanded beyond challenges to possibilities, how food connects to health, the local economy, and the well-being of the entire community.
Now, in 2026, the Summit moves into action. This year’s gathering will highlight the Archuleta Community Food Hub & Food Hall, a space designed by and for the community to support local producers, expand access to healthy food, and strengthen the local economy.
But more than anything, the Summit is about people. In a rural community, resources may be limited, but relationships are not. The Food Summit creates a space where neighbors learn from one another, share ideas, and build solutions together. And this year, you won’t want to miss it.
A highlight of the day is the ‘Children’s Learning & Creative Space’, where kids can roll up their sleeves and engage in hands-on activities that bring food and nature to life. At this interactive station, children will engage in hands-on learning by transplanting young plants into pots to understand how food grows and how to care for living things. They will also have the opportunity to explore their creativity through a vegetable print art project, using fresh produce to create colorful and unique designs.
Registration has been extended through tomorrow, Friday, April 17, at noon, and organizers strongly encourage community members to sign up in advance so they can be prepared to welcome everyone. While walk-ins are welcome the morning of the event, registering ahead of time helps ensure enough food, materials, and space for all who attend.
This is more than an event, it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger.
Food is more than a meal. It’s culture. It’s health. It’s connection. It’s community.
If you care about the future of Archuleta County, supporting local, building resilience, and strengthening the systems that sustain us, this is your opportunity to be part of it.
Register by Friday, April 17 at noon, bring a friend, and join the conversation. Because the future of our community is something we build together.
Registration is available on the Healthy Archuleta website, and the $10 fee helps cover both breakfast and lunch. Registration is free for children under 12. We strongly encourage you to sign up today, online.