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ACORN's mission is to cultivate connections that promote the production and use of local food in Addison County, Vermont
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Send events & items of interest for the newsletter to Annie@acornvt.org
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ahh, spring greens are here!
The VCC neighborhood cafe on Exchange Street in Miiddlebury is NOW! open! Stop in for a coffee and their light menu items
Did you know....
Addison County is Vermont 's number one producer in the adult beverage category?
Celebrate this claim to economic fame at any of the many tasting rooms. Let the summer begin with some fresh cold, brew from Drop In Brewing of Middlebury. Lots of great small batch beers , great music scenes and of course a nice reference to summer on the lake at Basin Harbor Club~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Doctors Prescribe State Parks for Health!
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is teaming up with some doctors with a plan to get more people outside and exercising by having the physicians write "prescriptions" that are really free passes to any Vermont State Park.
The "Park Prescription" program, is designed to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent chronic health issues by encouraging exercise at state parks.
Have some fun this summer enjoying a park for fun and health! Find a park to fit your needs, Kingsland, DAR and Button Bay are right here in the county!
 Stop at pick your own farms, farmstands, farmers' markets and tasting rooms while out and about in the country ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOPE's Addison County Gleaning program is preparing for the 2015 gleaning season. Volunteers are needed for the field, for delivery, and for veggie processing. Register at the Vermont Gleaning Collective website. You will receive email alerts telling you about upcoming volunteer opportunities and the ability to RSVP to the event. HOPE is preparing for a productive harvest and boosting the supply of local produce to the food shelf. Need more info?
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 UVM Medical is making a difference in Addison County! Read about their food service program keeping in mind many local farmers and food producers sell to them. Organic producers...take note the hospital is on a roll to reduce GMO's by going organic!
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Increasing local food sales through a strong network that includes ACORN
Is your farm or food business listed on the VT Food Atlas? Why not!? |
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Monday, June 8 from 12-2 PM and
Thursday, June 11 from 10 AM-12 PM
DOL Park & Ride in Montpelier (behind the Department of Labor Building at 5 Green Mountain Drive).
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Rural Vermont will be partnering with the The Vermont Young Farmers Coalition to host Small Farm Day Thursday May 7th at the Vermont statehouse. Help introduce legislators to small farmers and the impact of ag policy decisions
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Work Place Wellness Grants:
The Vermont Department of Health is offering grants to small businesses with between five to 50 employees to create worksite wellness programs to support physical activity and nutrition in the workplace. Deadline is June 12th; Call for more info 802-683-7281
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Young Farmer Coalition: Keep up with this dynamic group of emerging farmers.
 June is the unofficial start of Creemee Season. Stop by Cookie Love for some of the best in the county and if you prefer scoop ice cream, head to lulu in Bristol
Milk with Dignity includes ice cream too
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A Great Night at Lincoln Peak In early May we hosted a truly fun evening at the winery celebrating the wide reaching network of farm to school in Addison County. With a gorgeous early heat wave, we enjoyed a feast of excellent food from Basin Harbor Club, Dinner Bell Catering and Two Brothers Tavern.  Short stories of farm to school told of great deeds by local champions. It was a wonderful 2 hour window of meeting, greeting andsharing. Lincoln Peak was a perfect host offering their comfortable space while serving refreshing wine. Champlain Orchards and Aqua Vitea donated their locally produced beverages rounding out the selection.
Cheers to all our presenters representing the wide reaching network engaged in Farm to Plate goals to increase Vermont's local food consumption from 5 % to 10%v by 2020. Thanks to all who attended to enrich our work in Farm to School while learning about its place in Farm to Plate. |
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MUHS Seed Trials: School to Farm
 The Alternative Education students who manage the Middlebury Union High School hosted a wonderful tasting of greens. Farmers joined the students to talk about the many attributes recorded in the seed trial project. Growth and harvest data along with flavor profiles provided a wealth of information. Each student managed their own seed bed providing growers with keen results. The tasting was a bonus that farmers valued.
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ACORN Recognizes Junior Iron Chefs
ACORN awards Junior Iron Chefs of Addison County with a kitchen tool. This year we are grateful to partner with a new sponsor, Middlebury College Dining Service. The chefs of Weybridge Elementary School were clearly happy receiving their pan! If you wish to be a future sponsor next year, let us know. We are always seeking community support.
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Food is In When School is Out Summer Meals for Kids
There are free meals for Addison County kids this summer. Thanks to the USDA's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), summer meals are available at no charge to all children 18 and under! There will be many participation locations throughout the county.
If your family would like to take part in this exciting program, dial 2-1-1 or text 'FOOD' to 877-877 to find out when and where meals are being served in your area. All children 18 and under can take part: no application, no registration and no need to call ahead! Please share this opportunity widely; one in five kids in VT experience hunger or food hardship.
If you have any questions about this program, contact Derrick Lambert or call 865-0255 to learn more. Together, let's make this the best summer yet for Vermont's children!'
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Harvest of the Month: Herbs
 Herbs are nature's way of telling us to slow down and savor the moment. A refreshing minted lemonade on a hot June day is just the ticket to relaxation.
Garden season allows us to interact with herbs when we plant or even harvest our perennial jewels. Be sure to enjoy simple enhancements to your cooking with fresh herb rubs for meat on the grill. Combine olive oil and herbs, macerate, then drizzle on your vegies for a light enhancement. There is always the joy of a fresh garden pesto too!
Farmers: Check out Harvest of the Month's wonderful recipes and ideas to promote fresh herbs at your farmstands, markets and in your CSA shares. Be sure to offer random acts of herb tastings to tantalize the taste buds.
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Farmers' Markets are On!
 Farmers Markets are kicking into summer season! June 11th the Vergennes market will feature live music to entertain shoppers and producers. Fresh summer veggies, berries, breads, desserts, along with crafts and prepared foods from surrounding farms are available in the heart of this little city. The market takes place from mid-June through early October, on Thursday afternoons, rain or shine, on the City Green.
This year, the Farmers' Market is welcoming veteran vendors and new ones alike - and has live music lined up for most market days. Find them out on Facebook; contact Rhonda for more information.
Vergennes Farmers' Market
Thursday afternoons, 3-6:30 pm, rain or shine
June 11 - October 1, 2015
Middlebury Farmers' Market
Marble Works: The Market has moved to the North parking lot at the Marbleworks, about 300 feet north of the usual location.
9:00 - 12:30
Saturdays - May 2 - October 31
Wednesdays - June 17 - October 14
Please note: Bristol is not having a market this year. Some vendors can be found be at neighboring market
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Events, Opportunities & Jobs
Addison BBF Early Childhood Council is hosting small group summer gatherings. Join small group meetings for relaxed, engaging and inspiring ways to address issues families are facing in our community. Contact Dana for more info. Meeting times and frequency will be determined based on participants.
School Gardens seek random acts by gardeners;
Contact Annie for details.
NOFA Summer Workshops for Farmers; lots of topics & great learning opportunities
Hauling out unworn clothes? Please bring current styles in clean condition to Neat Repeats in Middlebury, Tag them for a donation to ACORN to support our work
David Grant, Noted author
June 9th 5:30-7:30 Universalist Church
Author and nonprofit advocate will lead a discussion around his new book, The Social Profit Handbook; a resource tool for those who lead, govern, and support mission-driven organizations and businesses so they can improve their financial and social bottom line. Sign up for this free event
June 11; 10-11:30
Howard Dean Education Center, Springfield VT
offered by Small Business Development Corp
June 20th, the first weekend of summer, national day of action at Ben & Jerry's Scoop shops to address human rights issues.
part of their 30th anniversary celebration
July 30-August 1, 2015 Skowhegan
Looking for land? There is a 6 acre parcel of farm land available in Cornwall. Lots of potential for an entrepreneurial farm and food business! Contact John Burton for more info.
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 Thanks to all of you for sharing links and information. Keep me posted of things of interest to relocalization and Addison County.
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