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 Local Food Availability and Affordability in 
All Market Channels 

Local food sales currently account for approximately 7% ($189 million) of total food sales in Vermont. In order for local food to be accessible to all Vermonters, it needs to be more readily available and affordable where most Vermonters purchase food. The Farm to Plate Network works to open new wholesale market channels at retail stores (country stores, co-ops, specialty food stores, grocery stores) and institutions (schools, hospitals, prisons) in Vermont and New England, while supporting increased access at Vermont's restaurants and direct markets (farm stands, farmers' markets, CSAs). The Network seeks to make local food available in these market channels more affordable to consumers through incentive programs, procurement policies, business and technical assistance, and more efficient supply chain logistics.      

Boost for Local Food Sales at Vermont Retail Stores 

Annie Harlow provides countless tips for retailers to increase local food sales in the
Take 5 training videos. 
A new series of five minute training videos called Take 5 have been developed to help independent retailers increase their local food sales. Topics addressed in the 12 episodes include promotions, merchandising, signage, sampling, and procurement. The videos are also designed for farmers, distributors, food hubs, and regional food organizations interested in increasing sales of Vermont products in a retail setting. The Farm to Plate Independent Grocers Task Force is now focusing its attention on delivering technical assistance to store owners, with particular focus in Windham County and the Northeast Kingdom in partnership with Food Connects and Green Mountain Farm-to-School. Since June, eight stores have received technical assistance focused on product display and merchandising, and increasing local product offerings.

The Take 5 training videos are available at no charge on the Vermont Farm to Plate website at http://bit.ly/Take5RetailTraining

Local Food Connectivity to Healthcare 

Vermont is home to a number of successful projects that help make local, healthy food available as part of healthcare - for example health care shares, produce prescriptions, and self-management programs that partner with the Vermont Foodbank to provide local produce and recipes. The  Farm to Plate Health Cross-Cutting Team is working to collect descriptions of these programs to make publicly  available for others to utilize, learn from, and replicate. Whenever possible, data demonstrating success in health outcomes, improved food access, or behavior change will be included. Members of the team are also researching potential mechanisms and preparing advocacy materials for the funding of local food programs by health insurers.

Farm to Institution 


The Farm to Plate  Farm to Institution Task Force  
is working with institutions and other supply chain facilitators to help them source more local food and to track and annually report on these purchases. The task force's  Farm to College Procurement Project worked with the University of Vermont to conduct research with Vermont higher education food system operations to identify successes and challenges to help inform the development of procurement policies at Vermont institutions of higher education.  

Progress to Address Food Insecurity 

In its June meeting, the Farm to Plate Food Access Cross-Cutting Team learned about the Human Right to Food, a declaration made by many countries around the world. The group had a dynamic discussion about the benefits of identifying food access as a human right and different mechanisms that could be used to raise the issue in Vermont. A subcommittee has formed to explore these opportunities and has begun developing a values statement that organizations, communities, and government entities can sign on to as a first step. The team has also created a task force that will produce a land use planning module to assist municipal officials, local and regional planning commissions, and agriculture advocates in planning for food access.

Food Waste Connectivity to the Charitable Food 

Members of the Farm to Plate Network are exploring ways to improve food waste management to better serve the charitable food system, through conversations between the  Food Access Cross-Cutting Team and the Farm to Plate Food Cycle Coalition , and through development of an Act 148 website that emphasizes the food recovery hierarchy.
Farm to Plate Newsfeed


Farm & Food Workshops + Industry Events

Sept. 7, Wolcott:  On-Farm Dinner at Sandiwood Farm
Sept. 9, Shelburne:  Wild Mushroom Foray
Sept. 10, Randolph Ctr:  Welding for Women
Sept. 13, Shaftsbury:  Pizza Social at Mighty Food Farm
Sept. 19-20, Randolph Ctr:  Growing, Processing and Baking with Grains
Sept. 23, Woodstock:  Vermont Woodworking & Forest Festival
Sept 26- Oct 31, Burlington:  UVM Extension: Vermont Master Composter Course!
Sept 27, Randolph Ctr:  Yogurt, Fermentation and Baking
Sept 29- Oct 1, Cornish, NH:  Draft Animal - Power Field Days


Food System Gigs

Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market,  RFP for Market Feasability Study
Vermont Foodbank,  Senior & Adult Programs Manager
Center for an Agricultural Economy,  Farm to Institution Accounts Manager
Shelburne Orchards,  Multiple Positions (Seasonal)
Chittenden Solid Waste District,  Marketing Specialist
Kids Gardening,  Development Director
Cedar Circle Farm,  Multiple Positions
Chittenden Solid Waste District,  Roll-Off Truck Driver
Blake Hill Preserves,  Logistics and Order Fulfillment

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