A New Way to Experience Local Food and Agriculture in Billings, Montana: Hit the Road with the “Taste the Agri-Culture of Billings” Map!
Billings, Montana, is a hub for local food distribution and agriculture in the region. Now, a new initiative and activity is making it easier to experience and support the local food system. The “Taste the Agri-Culture of Billings” Campaign and Map is an interactive project designed to connect residents and visitors with the rich network of local food producers, agri-tourism sites, and sustainability initiatives in Billings.
A Map to Explore Local Food and Agriculture
The printed map, which was distributed across the city and to Yellowstone Valley Food Hub retail stores in September 2024 is available and free for anyone to use and enjoy. Or, you can use the pdf map digitally on this page to save to your phone or print!
Whether you’re a foodie or just love local spots, grabbing the map is a great way to savor the best of Billings. Explore, snap a photo and check-off your map at each spot, and earn a prize at the end!
The map includes destinations such as:
- Cafes and restaurants featuring locally sourced ingredients
- Farmers’ markets and brick-and-mortar shops selling regional products
- Agri-tourism sites such as pumpkin patches and working farms
- Butcher shops and food hubs
- Composting sites and sustainability initiatives
Our goal: help the community people to discover, engage with, and support Billings’ local food and agriculture industry. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, the map provides a curated guide to the area’s best farm-to-table experiences.
Featured Stops on the Map
One of the stops on the map is the Yellowstone Valley Food Hub, a local farmer-owned Growers’ Cooperative located in the heart of Billings’ West End. The Food Hub runs a year-round online farmers market that connects consumers directly with farmers, ranchers, and food artisans. Shoppers can choose exactly who they want to buy from while learning about each producer’s individual farming practices. Offering everything from fresh produce, premium cuts of grass-fed beef to dairy and pantry staples, the Food Hub provides a convenient way to support local agriculture year-round.
Another stop on the map is Frae Everyday Goods, a thoughtfully curated mercantile committed to changing the way we consume. Owner Tiffany Miller O’Brien intentionally sources from only the best local makers, artists, and farmers by offering a selection of sustainably sourced and plastic-free products. Shoppers can find fresh greens from Swanky Roots, Montana-made kombucha, veggie boxes from Midtown Market Garden, and honey from Hindu Hillbilly. Beyond retail, Frae hosts workshops like flower arranging with Rimrock Flower Farm, giving the community hands-on ways to connect with local producers. Whether you’re picking up farm-fresh eggs and blooms or learning a new skill, Frae Everyday Goods is a hub for sustainable, locally sourced living.
Engaging the Community Through Social Media
Beyond just providing a map of must visit destinations, the campaign encourages community participation through social media. Visitors can document their experiences at local food spots by sharing photos and tagging the campaign’s dedicated Facebook group “Taste the Agri-Culture of Billings”. This interactive element not only helps build excitement around completing the map but also spreads awareness of the incredible food and agriculture opportunities in Billings in real time.
Complete the Map?! Claim Your Prize!
Those who visit all the locations featured on the map can collect a commemorative sticker at the Yellowstone Valley Food Hub retail store, creating a fun and rewarding way to explore Billings’ agricultural landscape.
How the Map Addresses Key Opportunities from a Food System Assessment
The Taste the Agri-Culture of Billings campaign and map is a project of the The Greater Billings Food System Assessment and community coalition. Formed in 2023 by the AERO and Abundant Montana’s Montana Food Economy Initiative (MFEI) Program, a group of 12 community members met over a course of a year to gather information to report a snapshot in time of how the local food system is functioning for Billings and surrounding counties. Through community surveys, stakeholder interviews, and research, several key takeaways emerged from the assessment that motivated this project:
- Limited consumer awareness – Many residents were unsure where to find local food or which businesses support local producers.
- Need for stronger farm-to-table connections – Restaurants and retailers wanted to feature more local ingredients but lacked visibility into available products.
- Interest in local food culture and education – The community expressed a desire to celebrate and support local food but needed more accessible ways to engage.
To address these challenges, the coalition launched the “Taste the Agri-Culture of Billings” Map, providing a fun and interactive way for residents and visitors to engage with the local food scene. The initiative increases visibility for local businesses, fosters stronger community connections, and encourages people to experience local agriculture firsthand.
Looking to the Future
The Greater Billings Food Systems Coalition, the driving force behind this initiative, is currently seeking a long-term partner to sustain and expand the campaign beyond its initial launch. With the potential to grow beyond Billings into surrounding counties, the “Taste the Agri-Culture of Billings” Map could serve as an ongoing resource for connecting people with local food and sustainability efforts.This project is more than just a map—it’s a campaign to celebrate and support the food systems that sustain Billings and its surrounding communities. By participating, residents and visitors alike can help cultivate a thriving local food culture, one meal at a time. Interested in seeing this map stick around? Reach out to hello@abundantmontana.com if you have an idea or lead on a group or organization that wants to continue this project!
