Edible Aspen

Local Heroes 2016

• Avalanche Cheese Company's Patrick Kennedy with his award-winning goat, pork and fennel-infused finocchiona in the USDA-approved aging room in Basalt. Photograph: Jim Paussa

• Craig Fulmer, Heidi Johnson and John Farrell with Rock Canyon's new 25-pound batch roaster. Photograph: Courtesy of Rock Canyon Coffee

• Thompson Divide Coalition, led by Executive Director Zane Kessler (right), has made major strides in protecting 221,500 acres of the Thompson Divide back country, which plays a vital role in our local foodshed. Photograph: Dom Smith, courtesy of Thompson Divide Coalition

• Executive Director Zane Kessler. Photograph: Dom Smith, courtesy of Thompson Divide Coalition

• The team at ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch, led by Director Jason Smith (right), stand with a Tamworth sow, a heritage breed pig raised at the ranch. Also pictured, left to right: Harper Kaufman, Chris Cohen and Christian La Bar. Photograph: Guadalupe Laiz

• Bree Lindsey, Roaring Fork Store Team Leader, with Eric Sgambati, takes pride in telling the stories behind local products. Photograph: Julie Gillespie

• Mark Fischer sources seasonal food for Town by working with specialized food producers and foragers. Photograph: Devon Meyers