Author: Jake Claro
Op Ed: Vermont’s food system is critical to our local economy, identity and quality of life
By Jake Claro, Farm to Plate Director at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund I encourage everyone to read through the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Plan recently released by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) in fulfillment of Act 83. The jointly created 2020 plan … Read More
Local Planning for Food Access: A Toolkit for Vermont’s Communities
Supporting the economic viability of local farms and increasing food access for all community members are often treated as separate, or even conflicting, objectives. The Farm to Plate Network, however, works to address these issues simultaneously, as both are necessary for economic stability and thriving communities. While models can be developed and sometimes implemented by … Read More
Vermont Farm to Plate Achieving Intended Outcomes
A Letter from Farm to Plate Director Jake Claro to the Vermont General Assembly and Governor Phil Scott: This year’s Vermont Farm to Plate Annual Report features highlights of key projects from 2019, including grass-fed beef industry development, local planning for food access, wholesale markets, and small-scale on-farm composting. You will also see how Rooted … Read More
Vermont’s Farm to Plate Network works to move the culture of food and agriculture forward at Annual Gathering
At The Crossroads: Our Food and Farm Culture and Economy Over 280 Vermont Farm to Plate Network attendees convened November 7-8, 2019 for the ninth annual Farm to Plate Gathering in Killington where attendees took a deep look at the meaning of culture and envisioning ways to move our food and farming culture forward. This … Read More
Farm to Plate: Vermont Food Co-ops Talk Local Food
It’s a safe bet that no matter where one finds themselves in Vermont, they’re not too far away from a Vermont food co-op. Boasting the highest number of stores per capita, Vermont’s 15 food co-ops have established themselves as pillars of their communities along with being drivers of the state’s local food movement. “Vermont’s food … Read More
Vermont Farm to Plate requests reauthorization from Legislature
2018 Farm to Plate Annual Report provides latest impacts of Vermont’s food system plan and lays out groundwork for continuing beyond 2020. MONTPELIER, VT. – Representatives of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network and staff at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund presented the 2018 Farm to Plate Annual Report to the Vermont Legislature’s House and … Read More
Local food consumption and job numbers surpass 2020 targets
Over 250 members of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network convened November 1-2, 2018 at the eighth annual Farm to Plate Gathering in Killington where it was announced that local food and beverage consumption in 2017 by Vermonters increased to 12.9 percent, surpassing a 2020 target of 10 percent. The 2020 target of 10 percent … Read More
Realizing a Dream on a Small Dairy: Gammelgården Creamery
By Jake Claro, Farm to Plate Director Owning and operating a small dairy had long been a dream when Stina Kutzer received a beautiful Jersey calf named Babette for her birthday in 2004. Stina had worked with dairy cows throughout her adult life and with milk from Babette began to produce handmade butter and yogurt. … Read More
A Story of Respect and Resilience
By Jake Claro, Vermont Farm to Plate Director One of the first things you notice at Molly Brook Farm is that Rhonda and Myles Goodrich call every single one of their 77 cows by name. “Move along Clover,” or “this way Charlotte” is heard in the milking parlor during the daily milking sessions. The Goodrichs, … Read More
The Face of Farming: Root Crops Abound at Burnt Rock Farm
By Ellen Kahler The following is the first installment in Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s Face of Farming Series. The series will profile a variety of farmers throughout Vermont who are employing best practices, implementing innovative approaches and who together represent the evolving face of Vermont’s agricultural system. Justin Rich has been farming the fertile … Read More
Economic Development in the Local Food Economy
When you ask people their definition of the Vermont food economy, they’ll often talk about farms, farmers’ markets or CSAs. What’s often missing from the conversation are the supply chain of local businesses such as distributors, food processors and manufacturers, and seed, feed, and equipment dealers. Vermont’s local food economy not only extends well beyond … Read More