Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) announced today a new partnership with Cabot Creamery Cooperative and eight local co-operative food stores to benefit Vermont farmers and food producers. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Cabot products at these stores will go to the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, a loan fund dedicated to meeting the capital needs of small farms, food producers, and working lands entrepreneurs. Items bearing the VCLF sticker are available now at participating food co-ops.
Participating food co-ops include: City Market (Burlington), Hunger Mountain Co-op (Montpelier), Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, Putney Food Co-op, and the four Food Co-op Store locations in White River Junction and nearby Hanover and Lebanon, NH.
“This is an important program as it supports local farms and their ability to farm into the next generation,” said Putney Food Co-op’s Robin O’Brien. “At the same time, it also supports community food co-ops, which in many cases are the main outlet for our local farm products.”
“We’re thrilled to have these local food co-ops’ support for this landmark program meeting the changing needs of small farms and businesses in every corner of our state,” said VCLF Executive Director Will Belongia.
In its first twelve months beginning June 2015, loans from the Food, Farms & Forests Fund were directly responsible for the creation & preservation of 174 Vermont jobs, 931 acres of farm and forest land under management and the production of almost 8 million lbs. of food.
“The Food, Farms & Forests Fund is making a real difference in Vermonters’ lives,” said Cabot Creamery Communications Manager Nate Formalarie. “Our farm family owners recognize that, and wanted to support this program to raise awareness and funds for VCLF.”
About the Vermont Community Loan Fund
Since 1987, VCLF has loaned over $90 million to local businesses, affordable housing developers and community-based organizations that has created or preserved 5,200 jobs; built or rehabilitated 4,000 affordable homes; created or preserved quality care for over 3,700 children and their families; and supported community organizations providing vital services to hundreds of thousands of Vermonters. VCLF loans are made possible by hundreds of community investors – individuals & families, faith-based groups, foundations, banks & corporations – who demand a social, “community” return along with a financial return. Learn more: investinvermont.org
Source: VCLF. 8.22.2016. Photo courtesy Hunger Mountain Co-op.