2012 Farm Show ‘Consumer Night’ will feature local foods and producers

Local foods and producers will take center stage at the Farm Show on the night of Wednesday, January 25th, thanks to the all-new ‘Buy Local Market.’ Forty-two producers will be on-hand offering consumers the opportunity to taste, learn about, and purchase Vermont agricultural products.
The Buy Local Market will be held as part of the Farm Show’s Consumer Night, a fun-filled evening aimed at engaging the general public in agricultural exploration.
‘Vermonters are passionate about local foods and appreciate the ways in which they enrich our landscape and communities. The Buy Local Market will provide an ideal opportunity to connect with the farmers and producers who drive our agricultural economy,’ said Chuck Ross, Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets. ‘It’s a chance to eat some delicious food, take home some great products, and meet your local farmers and producers.’
Other family-friendly activities scheduled for Consumer Night include the first-ever ‘Capital Cook-off.’ This Iron Chef-type battle will pit Vermont House, Senate, and Agency of Agriculture representatives in a cooking competition using local Vermont foods.
‘You’ve seen their skills in the State House, now check out how they do in the kitchen!’ Ross added.
Consumer Night will also provide an opportunity to learn about farm to school programs from around the state and hear the announcement of the 2012 Farm to School grant recipients.
The annual Farm Show will be held January 24-26 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. The show relocated from the Barre Civic Center this year to accommodate more vendors and visitors, a reflection of the fact that the agricultural community in Vermont is expanding.
The Buy Local Market will be located in the Blue Ribbon building from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25. Parking and admission to the Farm Show are free.
The Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.
MONTPELIER, Vermont - January 9, 2012