Food Connects Table Discussion at the 2024 Southern Vermont Economy Summit

We had a great time at the Southern Vermont Economy Summit this past Tuesday!

Our Executive Director, Richard, led a great table discussion with Jake Claro from Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund/Vermont Farm to Plate, McKenna, Food Connects Food Hub's Director, and Liz Ruffa from Merck Forest & Farmland Center/Shires Direct about how our region is using the food system to boost the local economy.

It was a great showcase of Vermont's leadership in creating a more sustainable and fair food system. The conversation highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure to support local food production and distribution, ensuring everyone has access to fresh, healthy food. As Richard put it, it's not just about promoting local food, but making it accessible to all. Food Connects is proud to be part of this effort and contribute to a thriving food community in Vermont.

A big thanks to our friends at Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation for organizing this event and giving us the opportunity to share how we're contributing to our regional economy.

The Food Connects' Food Hub is Officially Organic!

Our certification resulted from recent changes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program, which requires food hubs and distributors to obtain certification.

We couldn't have done this without the incredible support of our partners Vermont Organic Farmers and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPPS), who expertly guided us through the process. We're also proud to announce that we received a perfect score of 100% on our inspection!

This certification is important because it demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the integrity of the organic supply chain. We believe in providing our customers with the most ethically sourced food possible. Our organic certification ensures that the food we distribute meets the rigorous standards set by the USDA.

We're proud to be doing our part to support organic agriculture and bring you the freshest, most delicious organic food available!

Brattleboro Farm & Food System Assessment Presentation

Emma Bliss and Carissa Brewton recently presented the exciting findings of their in-depth Brattleboro Farm and Food System Assessment. After a year-and-a-half of dedicated research, they shared insights into the workings of our local food system, challenges faced by those involved, and recommendations to improve our regional food scene.

Watch the video:

Read the full report below:

April 2024 Schedule

 FOOD CONNECTS FOOD HUB APRIL ORDER DEADLINES

The Food Hub will be CLOSED from April 22, 2024, through April 26, 2024.  We will reopen on April 29, 2024

ORDER DEADLINES

  • Friday, 4/19, 11am: Champlain Orchards orders are due for 4/30-5/2 deliveries

  • Friday, 4/19, 11am: Mi Tierra orders due for 5/1 and 5/2 deliveries

  • Friday, 4/19, noon: Orchard Hill orders due by noon for 5/1 and 5/2 deliveries

  • Friday, 4/19, noon: Bread Shed orders due by noon for 5/1 deliveries

  • Monday 4/15, 11am: Orders due for CSO deliveries 4/30 - 5/6 

  • Monday 4/29, 10am: Orders due for all 4/30 - 5/2 deliveries

ROUTE CHANGES

  • Monday Pioneer Valley customers will receive delivery on Friday 4/19 instead of Monday 4/22

  • Burlington customers will receive deliveries as usual on 4/22

  • Monday Pioneer Valley select schools will receive delivery on Tuesday 4/30 instead of Monday 4/29 (inventoried items only)

  • Burlington customers will receive delivery on Wednesday, 5/1 instead of Monday, 4/29.

FOOD HUB NOVEMBER 2023 SCHEDULE

Changes to Order and Delivery Dates:

  • Weds, 11/15: Orders are due early for all Thanksgiving week deliveries.

  • Mon, 11/20: Special delivery day.*

  • Tues, 11/21: Special delivery day.*

  • Tues, 11/21: Orders due for delivery Monday, 11/27 (Inventoried Items only, regular Mon customers only).

  • Weds, 11/22 - Fri, 11/24: CLOSED, no deliveries.

*Ask your sales representative if you’re unsure which day you’re getting your delivery.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT CHEESE SPECIAL ORDERS

  • Mon, 11/6: Orders are due by 11AM for deliveries 11/15-11/20.

  • Mon, 11/27: Orders are due by 11AM for deliveries 12/6-12/11.

  • Mon, 11/27 - Fri, 12/1: No Cheese Special Orders deliveries.

WHAT ABOUT BREAD?

ORCHARD HILL BREADWORKS

  • Mon, 11/20 - Fri, 11/24: No bread deliveries.

  • Tues, 11/21: Orders due by 12PM, for delivery on Weds, 11/29, and Thurs, 11/30.

  • Mon, 11/27: Orders due by 10AM, for delivery on Fri, 12/1 (per regular schedule).

THE BREAD SHED

  • Mon, 11/20 - Fri, 11/24: No bread deliveries.

  • Tues, 11/21: Orders due by 12PM, for delivery on Weds, 11/29.

  • Mon, 11/27: Orders due by 11AM, for delivery on Thurs, 11/30 & Fri, 12/1 (per regular schedule).

WHAT ABOUT CHAMPLAIN ORCHARDS ORDERS?

  • Weds, 11/15: Orders due by 11AM for deliveries 11/17, 11/20, 11/21, & 11/27

  • Tues, 11/21: Orders due by 11AM for deliveries 11/29 & 11/30

WHAT ABOUT TORTILLA ORDERS?

  • Weds, 11/15: Orders due by 11AM for deliveries 11/20 & 11/21

WHAT ABOUT YALLA ORDERS?

  • Tues, 11/14: Orders due by 11AM, for deliveries 11/20, 11/21, & 11/27

  • Tues, 11/21: Orders due by 11AM, for deliveries 11/29 & 11/30

WHAT ABOUT KITCHEN GARDEN ORDERS?

  • Mon, 11/13: Fresh produce Orders are due by 11AM for deliveries 11/15 - 11/21  

  • Weds, 11/15: Canned, jarred, bottled, and dried item orders are due by 11AM for deliveries 11/17-11/21


QUESTIONS?

Contact sales@foodconnects.org

2023 FOOD CONNECTS LABOR DAY SCHEDULE

Friday, September 1: 

  • 10:00 AM: All orders are due to FC Sales Team for deliveries on Wednesday, September 6 and Thursday, September 7. 

  • Vermont customers who usually receive Monday deliveries will receive their deliveries FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.

Monday, September 4: The Food Hub Office and Warehouse will be closed, and there will be no deliveries.

Tuesday, September 5: Massachusetts customers who usually receive Monday deliveries will receive their deliveries TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5.

Pre-orders/Special Orders:

* Bread and Yalla Orders: Bread and Yalla orders for Friday, September 8 and Monday, September 11 will be due by 11:00 AM on Friday, September 1. There will be no Orchard Hill bread available for Wednesday and Thursday deliveries.

* Cheese Special Orders: Cheese special orders will be due by 11:00 AM on Friday, September 1 for delivery the week of September 13.

*Mi Tierra - Orders for delivery the ENTIRE week of 9/4/23 must be submitted Friday 9/1

Questions? Contact Sales@FoodConnects.org

2023 FOOD CONNECTS INDEPENDENCE DAY SCHEDULE

Friday, June 30: 

  • 10:00 AM: All orders are due to FC Sales Team for deliveries on Wednesday, July 5 and Thursday, July 6.

  • There will be no Orchard Hill bread available this Wednesday and Thursday and no Bread Shed this Wednesday.

  • Vermont customers who usually receive Monday deliveries will receive their deliveries FRIDAY, JUNE 30th.

Monday, July 3: The Food Hub Office and Warehouse will be closed, and there will be no deliveries.

Tuesday, July 4: Massachusetts customers who usually receive Monday deliveries will receive their deliveries TUESDAY, JULY 4.

Pre-orders/Special Orders:

* Bread and Yalla Orders: Bread and Yalla orders for Friday, July 7 and Monday, July 10 will be due by 11:00 AM on Friday, June 30.

* Cheese Special Orders: There will be no changes to the cheese special order schedule.

Questions? Contact Sales@FoodConnects.org

2023 FOOD CONNECTS MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE

10:00 AM Friday, May 26: All orders are due for Wednesday, May 31 and Thursday, June 1.

Monday, May 29: The Food Hub Office and Warehouse will be closed and there will be no deliveries.

Tuesday, May 30: If you usually receive a delivery on Monday, this week’s order will be delivered today.

Pre-orders/Special Orders:

* Bread and Yalla Orders: Bread and Yalla orders for Friday, June 2 and Monday, June 5 will be due by 11:00 AM on Friday, May 26.

* Cheese Special Orders: Cheese special orders for the week of June 5 will be due by 11:00 AM Friday, May 26.

Questions?

Contact Sales@FoodConnects.org

Important Customer Information About the NEW Food Connects Ordering & Payment Platform

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Food Connects will launch an entirely new online ordering and billing platform at shop.foodconnects.org! 

We have been working hard behind the scenes to build a more user-friendly website with helpful product photos, easy re-ordering functionality, extensive searching and sorting capabilities, and many other new benefits.

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Producer Spotlight: Singing Pastures

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By Kristen Thompson

Food Connects is proud to work with farmers and producers who grow and craft food in a way that’s sustainable for our food systems, communities, and the planet. That’s one of the reasons we love working with Singing Pastures! Singing Pastures is a regenerative farm that the Arbuckle family started in response to the unsustainable ways large industrial farms produce meat. We talked to the Founding Farmer, John Arbuckle, about Singing Pasture’s regenerative approach to agriculture and their delicious Roam Sticks made from hickory-smoked pork.

Food Connects Fresh Bites: March 2023

March Newsletter

The Evolution of a Food Hub: Celebrating the Growth of the Food Connects Food Hub, Part I

Producer Spotlight: Short Creek Farm

Food Hub Special Schedule: April 2023

Food Connects Goes to the Vermont Statehouse for Farm to School Awareness Day

Staff Spotlight: Food Hub Procurement Coordinator Katie Endicott