Small Bites
July 19, 2023
"Vermont is known as a food state.
But, what is the state of our food?"
We will be finding out soon. -AHH
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It is hard to know where to begin to share after the week we have had. But being who we are, we are looking on the bright side even as we grieve the astounding losses in our towns & communities. The entire length of the state from the Canadian to the Massachusetts border, and from the Champlain Valley to the Upper Valley has been hit hard. The outpouring of assistance is uplifting, necessary, organized, responsive & of course, emotionally taxing.
If you read last weeks' Bites, you saw it was posted fairly early in the disaster, yet already it was clear we were on the cusp of monster amount of destruction where safety was on the minds of our food businesses including stores, farmers, processors & distribution delivery drivers. The state provided ample warning that we were on the verge of a crisis when the state of emergency was declared on Sunday morning July 9th. However, who was to know we would have extreme storm warnings that continued up to last night, well over a week after the flooding began. Just last night in parts of the state significant rain put the areas that had had less direct impact into the crosshairs. The Otter Creek River was continuing to rise midday on Tuesday the 18th threatening to flood its banks. The river runs through prime agricultural dairy & crop land.
All hands continue to be on deck helping dislocated families, hauling out destroyed businesses, rebuilding roads, clearing debris, & feeding anyone who needs it. Government agencies, businesses, & organizations have responded with efficiency & speed because of the structures put into place since both Irene & The Pandemic. We are also fortunate to have the peer-to-peer structure of the Farm to Plate Network & the Agency of Ag helping our food system navigate these uncertain times. Implemented across the state are fundraising opportunities for all our sectors, & extensive shared resources. Additionally, our state & federal delegates & agencies are aligned in assisting our small but mighty state. Our federal delegation is well positioned to champion our needs in support of the requests from Governor Scott who is now navigating another huge crisis.
Ag Commissioner Anson Tebbetts expects the flooding to destroy much of the state’s produce while impacting livestock, especially in the river valleys where countless fields grow corn, hay, vegetables, & fruit & serve as a pasture.
Onward to sharing some of the positive responses & resources which will be ongoing for a very long time. As we grieve immense losses, we remain a connected & committed bunch of people. As is often said by Maria Reade of Edible Vermont, “What do you need & how can I help?” It collectively summarizes our state at this time.
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Retails Stores Take Note!!
An emergency request to USDA to allow SNAP EBT benefits to purchase hot & prepared foods was approved statewide in Vermont effective immediately through August 18.
Food & Nutrition Service is sharing the this notice with retailers that accept EBT in Vermont & the Vermont Grocers’ Association is also sharing this message. Implementation of the ability to purchase hot & prepared foods happens at the individual retailer level. It could be a day or two or few before retailers are able to implement the program. Retailers are being encouraged to post signage in their stores to let customers know that hot and prepared foods are eligible for purchase with SNAP EBT benefits.
As a state we are very grateful for this declaration to support our stricken communities. In this unsteady time, we need to make sure everyone eats.
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Road Crew is Job #1
Our road crews & skilled excavator operators are working overtime in all corners to help regain access. Obviously having roads open for emergency vehicles is of utmost importance, it doesn't take very long in a crisis to need to get food & water to stores or community distribution points.
We are fortunate we are a state with many excavators, a skill that is often overlooked or taken for granted. Our farmers have also put their tractors to use to help clear debris. There are many pockets of road closures, but we hear from our distributors that despite taking more circuitous routes, stores are getting restocked, though there are gaps in some product availability.
"I would like to take a moment to shed some light on the selfless people who stepped up & came to the aid of all in need. A HUGE thank you to all the incredibly hard-working men & women who worked tirelessly to get our bridges accessible our roads passable & homes livable!"
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Signs of the Times
As a state of rugged individualism & cooperative collaboration we are welcoming services & professional disaster relief organizations with open arms. We know when to rely on the kindnesses from other states.
Like many of our hard hit towns, Barre welcomes services from Samaritan's Purse from a number of other organizations helping homeowners with a number of tasks including
Remove belongings
Flood Clean-up
Sump Pumping
Removal of Sheetrock
Making the house contractor ready
Chainsaw work
Tarping roofs
Spray for mold (free)
Hotline number: 802-798-4668
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Work Crews & Gratitude
From every corner, workers are coming together to help clean up & lend support. The Cambridge Village Market on flooded Route 15 had just recently changed ownership, the new owners are eternally grateful for the town’s support. By necessity the store became a default food shelf to serve the community.
Allen Brothers Farm Market on Route 5 in Westminster had worked to mitigate damage with resounding success. Yes, they were flooded but their crackerjack team & community came together before, & after the flooding last week, to reduce damage then open back up quickly. The Brattleboro Reformer created a video that includes the farm market as well as other areas in Southern Vermont damaged by the July 11 flood.
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"We are here and we are OPEN!!
We are so grateful to our wonderful community. Please stop in for a slice of pizza or our homemade turkey dinner. We are SO happy to be here for all of you!! Our amazing staff is here this morning cleaning & helping us get the store put back together. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your support and offers to help. They mean the world to us." -Allen Brothers
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cleanup. Pictures such as this were taken across the state & where teams continue to battle the elements to clean up the small businesses that make up our state.
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On July 17th all creemee sales at The Genny Albany were donated to @thecivicstandard . This was a small way to treat oneself during these sad & trying times while helping the community.
The store is transitioning all round up donations to heavily impacted businesses Caja Madera, Inn by the River, House of Pizza, & Riverside Farm. Though shoppers can also choose to make a custom donation at checkout.
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Getting it Done
In a flood, distributors must be flexible as they respond to a number of new variables. This is what it takes to deliver food: tossing cases of Vermont Tofu. It is a new & effective way to get the job done from Pumpkin Village Foods!
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Over the last week, we have been saddened to see the devastating impact record rainfall & flooding has had on our region, its growers, their communities, & the land"
-Vermont Compost Company
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Food is Us: We Do Food
As towns struggle to comprehend the levels of destruction, people are continuing to respond to the enormous needs. “Vermont Strong”, the resilience we talk about is in full force. As one of the towns facing enormous upheaval, Barre stands together helping each other in the small ways that are always comforting in times of sadness. In the picture above, hugs are in order as food is ready for serving. This is going to be a long, slow, climb, dark & heavy with emotions. Even with our communities & agencies coming together with the force of our spirit to help others, the heartaches associated with so much loss will remain. Our friends at Seven Days did a feature about Barre, catch it here.
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Many events were canceled last week. Our high summer engagements always have a strong food element. People come together for outdoor activities & enjoy the bounty of our counties.
In the Ascutney area, a significant endurance race, the #VT100 was cancelled. Brownsville Butcher& Pantry oversaw the food for that event. The food was purchased & prepared. Then came the rain & the cancellation. The store & event organizers collaborated with area aid groups & volunteers to deliver the food to those most in need in the area. The smoked chicken & quinoa, pasta salad, fruit & cookies were so helpful to receive. Many thanks were shared to all who were involved with providing a community meal for so many people in the area, & shared from the hearts of so many.
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World Central Kitchen
Across the state restaurants & food trucks that were not directly hit by the flood waters, are lending their expertise to feeding communities. From the north to the south, they are working as World Central Kitchen participants, or on their own accord, to feed our communities because Vermonters wants #everyoneeats.
#goodmansamericanpiepizza baked pizzas for the community of helpers giving out food to the hard-hit Ludlow community. Anyone helping with clean up or assistance enjoyed slices. As the roads opened, they made it over to Reading to deliver a massive number of frozen pizzas to the Reading Greenhouse Farm Market. On top of that the farm market had plenty of cold beer & other bevies in the coolers. The store is encouraging shoppers to support local businesses who have been affected by the flooding by purchasing their products sold in their market.
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Free Resources for Farmers
Soil & field crops: Flooded Produce & Field Crops Q&A Session
Thursday, July 20 from 12-1 p.m.
Flooding & harvest & post harvest info:
Vermont farm owners can access free technical, legal, financial, & mental health services using Farm First or call 1-877-493-6216. Please consider this valuable resource during & after the emergency.
NOFA created a tool to help match needs to overcome market disruptions of sales & distribution. Check it out.
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Farmers Helping Farmers
Red Wagon Plants have several empty greenhouses that could be useful to anyone for seeding, drying out equipment, temporary storage, etc. It is available for free to anyone recovering from floods. Roughly 400 plants of kale (lacinato, red russian, redbor) in 32 cell trays are free for anyone who will be able to replant. They will give any flooded farmers access to free viable plants (cannot sell due to over-inventory or over-grown-ness). Email RWP for details.
For the most part, Grand Isle County was spared. The local food community is eager to support the recovery efforts happening around the state. For farms and/or markets damaged by recent flooding or harvested crops that need to move (e.g., harvests salvaged before the flood), please get in touch with the group led by Arbor Farmstead. In addition to buying produce to sell at Arbor Farm Market, they created a list of Grand Isle County farmers & chefs interested in buying wholesale produce to support impacted farmers. Help coordinating & compiling orders & drop-offs are offered. Contact Alisha for details
Down in Massachusetts. support is also being offered for displaced farm workers. Old Friends Farm in Amherst put out an announcement that they have full time temporary work available for the next couple weeks (mainly harvest, weeding & transplanting). They reached out to Vermont farm workers who may be looking for a chance to keep doing farm work.
ACORN Food Hub based in Addison County remains one of the least impacted parts of the state. Their storage &/or delivery services are available for farmers or food manufacturers whose operations have been compromised.
Knowing that conditions are still changing daily, contact each organization or farm with an open mind, & an open heart as we navigate the fallout from this series of flood events. Information is fast changing as we enter recovery stage.
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NEW!! Flood & Recovery Resources
A newly dedicated state website helps individuals and businesses impacted by heavy rain & flooding recover from home, vehicles, financial & business losses.
Vermont 211 report flood damage & get information on shelters for people affected by the storm
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"Individualizing the responsibility is an insidious weapon within the fossil fuel industry's arsenal, which includes greenwashing & woke-washing. By obfuscating the reality of the climate crisis, it has exacerbated climate consequences & caused long-term damage to climate justice efforts."
-Michael Mann
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Small Bites comes to you via USDA & High Meadows grants. Content is created for farmers, food manufacturers, distributors, & grocers to increase VT food sales
Small Bites supports the New England State Food System Planners Partnership
Contact: Annie Harlow
smallbites802@gmail.com
Unless otherwise noted, photo credits are from company social media, websites or Annie Harlow
Barre Hugs: courtesy Cornerstone & Seven Days
Apologies for no links to the Reading road crew, I lost track of the origin
Special thanks Pumpkin Village Foods, Maria Reade Edible Vermont
All info is subject to change; thank you to all who contributed to this issue
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