Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Specialty Food Association (VSFA) has aannounced that Gary Hirshberg, chairman and co-founder of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s leading organic yogurt producer, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at their spring annual meeting. Hirshberg serves on several corporate and non-profit boards and has received 12 honorary doctorates and numerous awards for corporate and environmental leadership. Hirshberg will present, “Tales from the Trenches,” about the lessons he has learned from 35 years of building Stonyfield Farm.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Gary Hirshberg join us as keynote speaker for VSFA’s Annual meeting,” said Erin Sigrist, VSFA President. “To have this caliber of a keynote speaker, and the several informative presenters at this year’s meeting magnifies the value of membership in one of the longest standing specialty food associations in the country. Gary and his successes at Stonyfield represent the very drive and dedication that Vermont’s specialty food producers have embodied for years. It’s going to be another fantastic event.”
In July 2017, French food group Danone agreed to sell Stonyfield, based in Londonderry, NH, to another French dairy conglomerate Lactalis for $875 million.
Attendees of the annual spring meeting will have the opportunity to connect with a network of other Vermont food & beverage producers who share the vision of developing and promoting Vermont-made food and beverage products, as well as Vermont’s brand. Over 100 Vermont producers and supporting business providers are scheduled to attend. The day features eight informative sessions:
- 7 Steps of Small Business Marketing Success
- Alternative Buyers for your Business
- Less Waste, More Profits
- Freight & Transportation Logistics
- Co-operative Marketing; Identifying, Developing & working with Brand Ambassadors
- Food Safety
- Top Takeaways of Business Management
- Today’s Competitive Space & Your Place
The event will take place at the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden, VT on Thursday, June 7th. All Vermont producers and supporting businesses are invited to attend. VSFA member registration is $45 and prospective member registration is $60. For more information about the event, visit VSFA2018Spring.eventbrite.com.
Source: VSFA