Farm to Plate is Vermont’s food system plan being implemented statewide to increase economic development and jobs in the farm and food sector and improve access to healthy local food for all Vermonters.
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The 10th Annual Gathering - Virtual for 2020
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Due to ongoing concerns and uncertainty created by COVID-19, and the desire to protect the health of participants during the fall flu season, the Farm to Plate Team will be re-imagining the 10th Annual Farm to Plate Network Gathering as a virtual conference this year. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information regarding dates, keynote speakers and panelists.
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In a Food Shortage, Could Vermont Feed the Whole State?
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“Do we really want to go back to the way it was? Or do we want to take this opportunity to think about something different, and envision a new path forward that is much more about regional production for regional consumption?” -Ellen Kahler, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Executive Director
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Farm to Plate COVID-19 Response Task Force
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The Farm to Plate Network's COVID-19 Response Task Force brings together representatives across the food system for bi-weekly calls to inform one another on how organizations are responding on the ground and needs they may have, to identify areas for greater coordination/collaboration, to stay out in front of state and national policy and supply-chain developments, and to discuss what needs to be communicated from a food system perspective to the general public as well as the farm and food community.
Watch recent task force calls (posted within 1-2 days of each meeting). For those interested in receiving more information about the calls and task force, contact
jake@vsjf.org.
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UVM Food Survey Results: Food Insecurity for Vermonters Has Risen 33% During COVID-19
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“Our data suggests that the growth of food insecurity is related to job layoffs and other employment disruptions. People who had lost their jobs or had their work disrupted were far more likely to be food insecure compared with those who remained employed.” - Meredith Niles, assistant professor in UVM’s Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, fellow in the Gund Institute for Environment, and the principal investigator on the study
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The survey has a margin of error of 2%. A total of 3,251 Vermonters responded from March 29 - April 12, 2020. The survey was developed in collaboration with researchers at Johns Hopkins University and fielded by the University of Vermont team. The research team intends to conduct the survey in other states and nationally, and to conduct additional future surveys in Vermont to assess changes in the situation.
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Abenaki Land Link Project
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During this pilot year, participants will be growing Koasek/Calais mix and Calais flint corn, true cranberry, skunk, Vermont Mohawk beans, and Algonquin squash. The crops will be grown across Vermont from home garden plots in Bethel to a large plot at the Farm at Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) in Richmond.
While participation for this year is full, anyone who wants to support these efforts can donate to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk - Abenaki Nation by
following this link, scrolling to the bottom of the page, and making a note about the project in their donation.
For more information, contact Shane Rogers, Farm to Plate communications manager, at
shane@vsjf.org and Livy Bulger, education and engagement manager, NOFA-VT at
livy@nofavt.org.
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Farm to Plate Network Community Food Access Consulting Available
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Over the past few years, the Farm to Plate Network Local Food Access Planning Task Force has brought together a wide variety of expertise on how communities and municipalities can work to increase food access and recently released
Local Planning for Food Access: A Toolkit for Vermont’s Communities. In this guide we identify and discuss a wide variety of food access strategies, potential partners and allies, and case studies from around the state. We’ve also collected dozens of other decision-making guides and resources for the implementation of specific types of projects, available in the
Appendix.
We’re so impressed with the number of communities who are thinking about food access, for the long term as well as filling urgent needs, in this current pandemic. While we hope our Toolkit will be useful, we also want to be able to help even more communities, more rapidly.
So, our project team is making ourselves available for one-on-one consultations with communities who are starting to think through a food access project – whether that’s starting a community garden or farm, helping your food shelf connect with local producers, supporting home food production, or any other innovative strategies you’re thinking of. Or if you want to start developing a long-term food resilience plan!
In these consultations we can help you think through some of the steps you’ll need to take and decisions you’ll need to make, and direct you to additional experts, resources, and potential funding sources. This is quick, informal, and flexible to your needs – just send Sarah (
sarah@vsjf.org) and Emily (
emily@vsjf.org) an email with brief description of the kind of project you’re considering, or even if you’re weighing several options. We’ll see who else from our team of experts is relevant to join the preliminary call and we’ll schedule a time with you ASAP.
We’re also going to be collecting and profiling success stories to share back out with other communities, so if you don’t need help but want to share what you’re doing, we would love to hear from you as well. We’re really looking forward to hearing all the wonderful work happening in communities around the state, and to helping in any way we’re able.
Sarah Danly, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund / Vermont Farm to Plate Network; Alissa Matthews, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Faye Mack, Hunger Free Vermont
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Vermonters, Nature & COVID-19: A UVM Survey
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Does experiencing nature figure into your life right now? If so, how? Complete a brief research survey for a chance to win $50, and to help inform decisions that account for the role nature may have during events like COVID-19. Must be 18+ to participate.
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Save the Date: Workshop Moved to 2021
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In response to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the International Workshop on Agritourism scheduled to be held in Burlington, VT will now take place August 31-September 2, 2021.
Between now and the 2021 conference, organizers will present virtual events about agritourism research, outreach and best practices. Upcoming topics will include coping and adapting to the evolving COVID-19 situation, a critical issue for farms, food systems, and rural communities. Participants will examine the impact of COVID-19 on local food sales and farm viability, and the resilience and creativity of farms and rural communities in a time of crisis. Stories of resilience and recovery from around the world may provide inspiration and valuable lessons, and help to build an international network. Organizers are searching for innovative initiatives to profile.
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Food System Events and Workshops
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Virtual Events and Webinars are Welcome!
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Is your Farm or Food Business listed on the
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3 Pitkin Court, Montpelier, VT 05602
Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, 3 Pitkin Court, Suite 301E, Montpelier, VT 05602
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