ACORN's mission is to promote the health and growth of local food and agriculture in Vermont's Champlain Valley.
Vermont Trade Winds makes and ships premium balsam wreathes. Send to your friends and family out of state; or  find them with their movable market at the VFCU in Middlebury. 
Shacksbury is now producing in Vergennes & tasting at the Middlebury Coop Dec 16; 3-6:00! 

Do you need help with your holiday baking?  Turn to our local small bakeries and caterers for special orders or standard pastries. Find Lauren Slayton of Breadloaf Kitchen at the Middlebury Farmer's Market Dec 17 & 24th or Susan Pratt Catering & Almost Home Market, both in Bristol
Fantastic! 
Look what we found at the Middlebury Farmer's Market! 
Small batch, freshly produced garlic powder! What do you do when you have to innovate to save cash flow after a less than optimal crop harvest? Well you jam into a creative mode and save the day. That's one way to look at Quill Hill's fabulous seasonings. Definitely buy some for the culinarians in your life. BTW...they have wonderful roasting garlic for a sweet accompaniment to just about anything. Both fresh and powdered are perfect for stocking stuffers. 

 
Across the Fence: Salvation Farms

Connecting farms with community needs while reducing waste and creating job training. ACORN salutes Theresa and all gleaners! 
Want to be a Master Gardener? 
The Middlebury Garden Club is offering two free scholarships, to anyone living in Addison County, for the 2017 UVM Extension Master Gardener program, which is a non-credit course covering how to create a healthy and sustainable home landscape. Runs from February 7 until May 16 and runs online on Tuesday evening from 6:15 til 9pm. Students may choose to watch the course on their own schedule as well, but it would not be interactive. The cost is $425 if you register by 1-2-17 or $440 after 1-2-17 and includes the online cost and materials. For more information contact: the Middlebury Garden Club 
 
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Thank you for supporting ACORN's mission & sharing in our work. 

 
 
 
 
 
Farm to Plate is increasing local food sales through a strong network that includes ACORN!
 
Is your farm or food business listed on the  Vermont Food System Atlas?  Sign up today!
Celebrate & share your food stories with Vermont's new campaign! 
Let's focus more of our attention and dollars on strengthening our local community! 
You're invited to join us in 
reaching our goal with a 

In the last 12 months, we celebrated a number of landmark accomplishments. We published the largest Farm and Food guide to date, created an ACORN Passport to local food and drink, hosted the first Producer Buyer Forum, the 9th Tour de Farms, the first Candidates Forum focused on farm and food policy, and participated in a farm to preschool early educators collaboration.  We networked, educated, shared, learned, and advocated all in the name of securing a healthy, sustainable and resilient food-scape for future generations in the Champlain Valley. We couldn't have done any of it without you! 

Our sights for 2017 are equally as ambitious. We plan to:
  • Establish a mentoring program between older and younger growers to safeguard and transfer decades of knowledge, skills and experience to the next generation of farmers.
  • Host a forum on "New Crops, New Products, New Markets" to match value-added producers seeking new crops with growers seeking diversification and new markets.
  • Research and develop a marketing plan to launch a local produce pilot in Bristol to feed the 5-town community.
Porter Medical: Connecting Community
Laura Brace, Food Service Manager at Porter knows that her decisions to support local have an economic impact on area producers. She has long been a friend of ACORN participating in the Local Food Index and tracking local and sustainable foods for Health Care Without Harm. It becomes apparent when looking at food purchases that her choices are making a difference. 
Additionally, she is engaged in the greater food system work and recognizing her role in reaching the Farm to Plate goals.  Steps taken include membership in Vermont Fresh Network, signing the Harvest of the Month Pledge, becoming a pick-up location for Middlebury Foods, offering garden space for the Charter House Coalition garden in collaboration with Middlebury College Interns and a summer location for a farmers market for staff and visitors to the hospital. On a national level her attendance at the Clean Med Conference has helped foster new ideas and plans for Porter to more deeply engage in the community at large. 

ACORN gives a big shout out to Laura and her dedication to moving our local food and healthy choices into the main stream. 
Middlebury Foods: Wholesale Prices 
It's pretty easy, helps you with menu planning and there are cost savings!

Simply order Middlebury Foods online for a refined selection of foods from Addison County, the region and nationally. All prices are guaranteed to be below retail and SNAP benefits are accepted. Local products are increasingly available from ground beef from Smith Family Farm to Vermont Coffee Company, Maple Meadow eggs and local produce. They promote Harvest of the Month, so it's easy to eat in season!  

There are several pick up locations in Addison County to choose from.  Check them out, it is a great deal especially if you like to cook and seek to eat a more healthy diet
Harvest of the Month: Winter Squash
Perfect timing....Winter Squash just as we enter the season of the oven! By now you know there are fabulous recipes geared to the home cook, institutions or community kitchens. 

Harvest of the Month is for EVERYBODY! Our local farmers participate by making recipes available to their CSA and farm stand customers.
Events, Opportunities & Jobs 

Junior Iron Chef: Schools it's time to plan ahead! 
Early Bird registration until December 15, 2016 the registration fee is $130.00. 

2017 Dining Cards to Benefit Homeward Bound now available! 
Great gift, great food, great cause

ACEDC offers 3 organizing workshops:
January 11 - Session #1: Maintaining Mental Focus
February 8 - Session #2: Paper, Lists, & Scheduling
March 8 - Session #3: Email Best Practices
signup for the e-news and workshop info

Produce food safety program advisory group meeting to be set for early 2017. Contact Kristina Sweet if you want to help shape the development of Vermont's state produce safety program

January 12, 13, & 14 8:30-4:30
Bread & Butter Farm, Shelburne

VT Vegetable & Berry grower Conference; January 23-24 Fairlee
Sign up here

NOFA Winter Conference 
Feb 18-20 Burlington
Vandana Shiva: not to be missed on Sunday!

Building Bright Futures: Middlebury: parents, community members working together on early childcare initiatives

Early Childhood Alliance Updates: 
As the Legislative session approaches, advocates are planning a number of events at the State House and in the community to raise awareness of early childhood issues with lawmakers.
Contact Kelly Ault for more info

Thinking of hiring an intern? Check out this resource from ACEDC 

Looking for a food system job: Check out  jobs at 

Looking for work? Check out this list of jobs in Addison County
Buy: Sell Local Showcase & 
Consumer Night at the Farm Show! 
Vendors and consumers will enjoy local food prepared food vendors, buyer matchmaking opportunities, and dozens of local products to sample and purchase. The event is February 1 from 4-7:00 at the CV Expo. There are opportunities for consumers to taste, learn and buy Vermont agricultural products from across the state in one convenient location! Over 500 consumers attended the Winter Buy Local Market in 2016.
 
Find out the details for the Buy Local Market featuring the best agricultural products that Vermont communities have to offer. We suggest producers take up this opportunity to expand their customer base and find new markets. 
ACORN is a proud member of Vermont's Farm to Plate Network We strive to network the network and our e-news links are meant to show the array of Vermont-based resources.

Thanks to all of you for sharing links and information. Keep me posted of things of interest to relocalization, Addison County and the Champlain Valley. 

 

Annie Harlow

ACORN Network
802-922-7060

  

[email protected]