Vermont's Farm to Plate
food system plan (2011-2020) is being implemented statewide by the 350+ member organizations of the
Farm to Plate Network to increase economic development and jobs in the farm and food sector and improve access to healthy local food for all Vermonters.
One of the strategic priorities being addressed over the next several years is to:
Increase Consumer Engagement and Demand for Local Food
When consumers demand more Vermont food products, it sends a powerful market signal to producers, distributors, and retailers to provide more local food. The Farm to Plate Network is focused on efforts to improve the ability of Vermonters to find, purchase, and use local foods and ensure these efforts reach Vermonters at all income levels. The Network provides consumer education connectivity across different Vermont regions to help increase awareness and engagement in the local food movement so statewide marketing and regional outreach efforts are mutually supportive and aligned.
The
Farm to Plate Consumer Education and Marketing Working Group developed the Rooted in Vermont movement to increase consumer demand for local food. Rooted in Vermont aims to shift the local food narrative through social media and grassroots organizing to be inclusive of the many ways Vermonters enjoy and acquire local food.
A Common Language for a Common Agenda
 Farm to Plate Network members have been working together since 2011 to implement
Vermont's Farm to Plate food system plan by working together towards a common agenda to strengthen Vermont's food system.
Rooted in Vermont is our shared common language to communicate our shared common agenda that will lead to increasing consumer demand of local food once it is adopted statewide.
Rooted in Vermont was created by the Consumer Education and Marketing Working Group for Network members and other businesses in the farm and food economy with a goal of eliminating the consumer confusion that arises when so many similar campaigns are run throughout the state. The phrase, "Rooted in Vermont", can be incorporated or designed to fit into any organization or businesses' outreach and marketing efforts.
Moving Ahead
Shane Rogers has been hired as the Rooted in Vermont project manager. Shane played an important role in developing the Rooted in Vermont movement as a Farm to Plate Network member originally with Green Mountain Farm-to-School. He will now be working with Farm to Plate Network members as well as any business interested in leveraging Rooted in Vermont marketing efforts to amplify their own message and to help reach our shared goal to increase consumer demand for local food. He will also be working with individuals in different Vermont communities interested in grassroots community organizing to grow the movement. Shane can be reached at 802-828-0404 or
[email protected].
Shane will also be coordinating the
Rooted in Vermont Task Force
which is the Farm to Plate Network group now responsible for implementing the movement's grassroots marketing plan. The task force is seeking members committed to helping the Rooted in Vermont movement go viral.
Click here to join today
.
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Nicole Driscoll, digital expert at Ben & Jerry's has joined Vicky Tebbetts as co-chair of the
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice. Nicole and Vicky manage the
Vermont Food System Communicators & Marketers Facebook Group--the online forum where the community or practice engages with one another. The group serves as an excellent forum to share best practices, ask for advice in food systems communications and marketing, and make connections with fellow Vermont food systems communicators and marketers. It is open to anyone working in food system communications and marketing (staff at nonprofits, businesses, or government as well as marketing business owners, staff and consultants).
The
Farm to Plate Agritourism Task Force has been working with University of Vermont Extension and the Farm-Based Education Network to host a series of on-farm workshops for farmers engaged in agritourism or interested in starting. The workshops are held at successful agritourism destinations around the state and address safety, liability, marketing, and answers questions raised by farmers. Registration is open for the second workshop in the series on
November 2 at Shelburne Farms.
An
Agritourism Content Clearinghouse is currently being created for newsletter or website editors to find agritourism related content and questions. Both content submissions and questions you would like to see addresses are encouraged, and can be submitted
here.
Open Farm Week
This summer the Agritourism Task Force held its third successful
Open Farm Week. Over 80% of participating farms reported attracting new customers and visitors, with 60% reporting increased sales from taking part in Open Farm Week. Of farms that responded, 100% said the event should happen again. This year, the task force conducted consumer surveys, finding that 94% of consumers reported having a stronger connection with farmers because of their visit and 80% reported seeing themselves purchasing more agricultural products due to their visit.
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A feeding demonstration at Rebop Farm in Brattleboro during Open Farm Week
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| A "Rooted in Vermont" farm dinner at Clyde River Farm in East Charleston during Open Farm Week |
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