Custom Reusable Totes Support Community Youth, Environment

In support of the recent ban on disposable plastic bags at Steamboat’s largest grocery stores, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, in partnership with Elkstone Farm, has created custom reusable grocery totes. The bags are available by donation to the SSWSC Scholarship Fund at the Elkstone Farm Stand, in front of City Market and Safeway in the upcoming weeks, and at the SSWSC front office in Howelsen Hill Lodge.

The ban, effective October 1st, ceases the use of free disposable plastic bags. City council voted to support the ban after local high school students in the Teen Council approached the city with the idea to reduce impact on the environment.

“Through our partnership with Elkstone Farm, we wanted to acknowledge our shared values and support the youth of our community, who have made this push to support the environment, and we believe strongly in protecting our resources whenever possible,” said SSWSC Executive Director Sarah Floyd. “The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club encourages kids to be active and aware of the environment in which they recreate, and to preserve and take care of their home for the future generations. The Teen Council has done a phenomenal job at showing leadership in this, and the SSWSC is in full support.”

The SSWSC provides both winter and summer programing to the youth of the community, and has nearly 1,000 members. The Club’s hope is that members and supporters will proudly participate in the ban and use an SSWSC/Elkstone Farm tote bag or similar reusable tote.

“The totes allow our membership and community to come together and lend support to the motivated kids who led this initiative, while supporting the athletes and programs of the SSWSC,” Floyd said.

The partnership with Elkstone Farm for the creation of the bags was natural, Floyd said, due to the local presence, respect for agriculture, and healthy eating that the farm encourages. “This is a partnership that reflects health, fitness, and environmental respect,” Terry Huffington of Elkstone Farm said. “Our farm promotes ‘Growing Healthy Land, Healthy Food, and Happy People,’ and supporting this project reflects all three of these endeavors. We are proud that 100% of proceeds of the bag donations go towards the SSWSC Scholarship Fund to further enhance the impact of this project.”

Elkstone Farm is known for farming in Strawberry Park, which received its name due to the commercial growth of Remington Strawberries. Today, Elkstone Farm is rooted in the belief of ecological, sustainable concepts of permaculture and agriculture that work with the environment.

1,000 totes are available until supplies run out at either the SSWSC or Elkstone Farm.