The Story Behind Wildcraft

Why We Evolved and What It Means for

Our Community

FORT COLLINS, Colo. November 1, 2026 —

If you have been strolling through our aisles over the last two decades, you likely knew us as the Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market. For twenty years, that name represented a warm indoor haven during Colorado’s coldest months, bringing together local growers, makers, and neighbors under one roof.

As we step into our twentieth anniversary season, you might have noticed a new name on the door: Wildcraft Markets

Changing a name after twenty years isn't something done lightly. It comes from a deep reflection on who we have become, where our community is heading, and how we can best serve Northern Colorado year round. Welcome to the very first post in our new recurring blog series, where we will take you behind the scenes of Wildcraft Markets, share vendor stories, go deeper aas well as explore the future of local food and craft in our region.

"For 19 years we were the Winter Farmers Market, but with the extension of the season to going year round, it was time to reimagine the Market to be around for another 20 years," said Sari Kimbell, Owner and Operator of Wildcraft Farmers Market. "Now that we're open almost every Saturday, all year long, opening day of our 20th season felt like the right moment to celebrate where we came from and formally launch what comes next."

Why the Shift to Wildcraft?

When we first opened two decades ago, our goal was simple: keep local food accessible during the winter. But over the years, our gathering space grew into something much bigger than a seasonal market. We became Colorado’s only year round indoor market, a vibrant home for over 120 regional farmers, ranchers, artisans, and small business founders.

The word wildcraft traditional refers to the practice of harvesting uncultivated plants and resources from nature with care, stewardship, and intention. For us, that concept captures the essence of what our community does every week. Our vendors cultivate, craft, and forage with dedication to quality and sustainability. Our shoppers visit with intention, choosing to nourish their families while directly supporting the local economy.

Shifting our identity to Wildcraft Markets allows us to honor that deep relationship between people, land, and community without limiting ourselves to a single city or season.

What This Means for You

While our name and visual identity have evolved, everything you love about our markets remains rooted right where it has always been. You will still find your favorite long standing farmers, ranchers makers, and creators; alongside exciting new faces launching their dreams in our East Wing Startup Alley.

Moving forward under the Wildcraft banner means:

A Year-Round Destination: We are fully committed to providing a reliable, high traffic indoor home for local producers and shoppers twelve months a year, ensuring our food system and small business economy stays resilient no matter the weather outside.

Deeper Community Impact: Through our newly launched Community Fund, we are expanding our reach to ensure more people in our region has access to fresh, local food through senior food access programs and low income SNAP matching.

More Than a Shopping Trip: We are leaning into creating a rich weekend experience filled with live local music, family friendly interactive spaces like our Kids Activity Zone, and spaces to gather with friends over conversation, unique creations and fresh food.

The Journey Ahead

As we officially kick off our twentieth anniversary season, we invite you to be part of this next chapter with us. Formally, we are Wildcraft Markets. Informally, we are still—and always will be—your Saturday plans.

Thank you for growing alongside us for the past twenty years. Keep an eye on this space as we continue to share stories from the field, spotlight our amazing makers, and dive deeper into what makes our regional food system so special.