Taste the Valley: A Producer & Buyer Networking Event

Submitted by tim on Mon, 02/24/2025 - 03:56

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Taste the Valley, hosted by ACORN Food Hub, is a networking event that offers an opportunity for local food producers to meet and connect with new customers and buyers in their region.

This event was last hosted in 2023 and was a smashing success. They have secured a larger venue this year, expecting an even greater turnout of both producers and buyers.

Producers will have the chance to set up tabletop displays to showcase their brand. Table space is limited, so if you'd like to claim a spot to set up an engaging display, register soon. No table? No problem! Producers are also encouraged to register even if they do not want to set up a display and prefer to mingle around the room.

Buyers of local products can discover what's happening in the local food scene, make connections, and find new products to bring to their businesses. Distributors, retailers, farm stands, restaurants, institutions, food processors, CSA-farms, and other food hubs are all encouraged to attend.

This event will take place on Thursday, March 20th, from 9:30am to 12:00pm at Wilson Hall on the Middlebury College campus.

You can count on this being a morning of new connections, lots of good food, and great company. Secure your spot today!

Register Now

Help Us Better Serve Vermont's Agricultural Community

If you're reading this newsletter, we want to hear from you! The Agricultural Development team at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, puts out this weekly newsletter. We work to grow Vermont’s agriculture and food system by giving grants, promoting local food, and helping businesses and communities connect to useful resources.

We want to improve how we share information with people involved in Vermont’s food system, and we need your help. Please take this short, anonymous survey to let us know who we are reaching, what information you’d like to get from us, and how we can do better. It should only take 5 minutes to complete. Please only take this survey once.

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Shape the Future of Tourism in Vermont

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) has launched a statewide strategic planning process to develop the first-ever Destination Management Strategic Plan for Vermont. This initiative will shape the future of tourism in our state, and VDTM wants your input to guide the way.

As part of a broader set of listening sessions, VDTM will be hosting a special virtual listening session on February 24th from 10-11:30am about how Vermont’s food and beverage experiences shape the visitor experience. They are inviting restaurateurs, craft beverage producers, and agritourism businesses to come together to talk about how Vermont’s food culture shapes the visitor experience and opportunities for future growth.

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Future of Dairy in Vermont Listening Sessions

This spring there will be a series of opportunities for those involved in Vermont's dairy industry to express their thoughts, concerns, ideas and hopes about the future of Vermont dairy. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is hosting a series of listening sessions around the state to hear directly from dairy stakeholders, farmers, and processors. VAAFM leadership looks forward to engaging in conversations with the dairy community across the state that can lead to new, actionable ideas.

The first meetings will be on March 7th in Grand Isle and Franklin counties.

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Time to Think About Barn Roof Safety

When the snow comes down heavy and hard, it’s time for farmers to start thinking about barn roof safety.

Heavy snow can put barn roofs at risk, but snow removal must be performed carefully. Removing snow without the proper approach can cause more damage by creating an unbalanced load. Remember, your number one priority must be to protect your own safety! 

Farmers are encouraged to consider safety tips, provided by Cornell University, when considering snow removal from a barn roof.

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Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

March
3/2 - Big E Vendor Application deadline

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