BY KAREN BOSSICK

A Fall Harvest party will help launch the new $5 for Farmers initiative.

Local Food Alliance and Wood River Farmers Market will stage the event from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Ketchum Farmers Market in the lower parking lot at River Run.

Local musician Kevin Ware will provide live music. There’ll be fresh-pressed apple cider, free food samples, sauerkraut making demonstrations and seed saving demos.

There also will be fun kids’ activities and raffle prizes.

The event is designed to introduce valley residents to $5 for Farmers, a new campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to purchase more foods produced on regional farms.

The idea is that if every Blaine County resident spent $5 on local food each week it would add $5.7 million a year to the local food economy, helping to ensure the future of family farms in the region.

The campaign includes an online pledge, signs displayed in local markets, adhesive decals for windows and restaurant menus, reusable shopping bags and more.

Anyone who spends $5 on any farm product at the Oct. 1 party can claim a free raffle ticket at the local Food Alliance tent. Raffle tickets can also be purchased for $5 each with the proceeds benefitting the Wood River Farmers Market and local Food Alliance.

Prizes include single-day ski passes from Sun Valley Resort, brunch for two at the Konditorei and a month-long membership at Zenergy Health Club and Spa. Muffy Ritz, who designated herself the $5 for Farmers ambassador during an event touting the Sun Valley Institute and American Farmland Trust last spring, will announce the raffle prizes at 5:30 p.m.

The $5 idea came from a food systems strategic plan that the Sun Valley Institute conducted. The Local Food Alliance adapted the program for the community and has partnered with local stores and restaurants to feature the campaign.

“By supporting our local farmers, we can each do our part to create a thriving community where people are nourished every day by locally grown food,” said Stacy Whitman, co-director of local Food Alliance.

For more information, visit www.5forfarmers.com.