Vermont maple syrup producers are each being asked to donate one gallon of syrup in order to send a taste of Vermont springtime to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the fifth year, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association is organizing Operation Vermont Maple Sweetness 2009 which will package the donated syrup into one pint containers and ship them to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 8000 pints of syrup were sent in 2008.
The syrup sent last year resulted in numerous heartfelt e-mails from the troops. Thank you for the effort that people in Vermont went through with Operation Vermont Maple Sweetness. Thanks for the reminder of good things from back home. The syrup was on the breakfast line and was a big hit with my friends and me. Thanks for thinking of us and please let the rest of your co-workers know that their actions are appreciated here.
Operation Vermont Maple Sweetness 2009 is a real team effort between Vermont maple producers, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, the Vermont Maple Foundation, the Vermont Maple Industry Council, Sugar Hill Containers, the Vermont Maple Festival, Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, and Vermont Agency of Agriculture. We want to thank the many other individuals and businesses who supported this project last year and are seeking sponsors for this year s project.
The deadline for donations of syrup is May 1 in order to have the syrup in the soldiers hands by Memorial Day. Maple syrup producers are encouraged to donate one gallon of their best syrup and take it to the drop-off locations listed below and on www.vermontmaple.org. The general public may also donate to help defray shipping costs. For more information about sponsorships call Sam Cutting IV at (802) 425-3971 and for syrup donations call Rick Marsh (802) 644-5482. Anyone wishing to may send a donation to: Mary Croft, Treasurer, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, 491 East Barnard Road, S. Royalton, VT, 05068.
Drop-off Points for Syrup (deadline is May 1):
Addison County
Dakin Farm, Ferrisburgh
Rheaume Kitchen & Flooring Center, Inc., 2106 Rte 7, South Middlebury
Caledonia County
Maple Grove, St Johnsbury
Chittenden County
Depot Home & Garden, Essex Junction
Peter Purinton, Huntington
Franklin County
VMSMA's Booth at the Vermont Maple Festival - St. Albans
CDL/Maple Pro - St. Albans
Leader Evaporator - Swanton
Lapierre Swanton
Dominion & Grimm - Fairfax
Lamoille County
Vermont Maple Outlet - Jeffersonville
UVM Extension Office - Morrisville (Open Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm)
Butternut Mountain Farm Store, Johnson
Orange County
Roger Palmer - Randolph Center
Central Supply-Randolph 802-728-5332
Orleans County
Couture's Maple Shop - Westfield
Farm Yard Store - Derby
Desmarias Equipment - Orleans
Rutland County
C.H. Grimm Rutland
Richard Green--Poultney
Washington County
Agency of Agriculture-- Montpelier
Goodrich Maple Farm Cabot
Morse Farm--Montpelier
Windham County
Franklin Geist - Saxtons River
UVM Extension Office - Brattleboro (Open Monday Friday 8am - 4:30pm)
Bascom Maple Farms Alstead, NH
Windsor County:
Gateway Motors, White River Jct
Mary Croft, East Barnard
Green Mountain Sugar House, Ludlow