STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

It began as the Sun Valley institute for Resilience. It is now Future Roots.

The organization has rebranded itself a decade after its founding to reflect a deepened commitment to its mission of transforming southern Idaho’s food system. That involves connecting people to local food, supporting regional producers, and fostering vibrant, resilient communities. 

Future Roots represents the streamlining of two powerful legacies: the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience and Local Food Alliance. The two have championed resilience, regeneration, and local food across southern Idaho for a decade.

“The future of our communities begins with the roots we grow today,” says Amy Mattias, Executive Director of Future Roots. “Our new identity honors where we’ve been and where we’re going and invites more people than ever to join the movement for local food and resilient communities.” 

To inspire individuals and households to choose local food, Future Roots publishes 3,000 copies of its Locally Grown Guide annually. The organization facilitates the diversion of food waste from local landfills each year through its school composting initiatives, with 18,000 pounds diverted to date.

It also invests in a more resilient food system with $407,000 deployed to support six regional food businesses. And the organization connects the regional food system by cataloging and mapping over 390 hard infrastructure food system assets.  

Learn more at https://www.futureroots.org/.