“As a sole owner and operator, time management is very important. Food Connects has helped bring my product to local farm stands around the state that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach. My hope is that my partnership with Food Connects will further my connections with Vermont farmers who might be able to guide my business’ aspiration for incorporating local fruit into our popsicle creations.”

“It is important that I connect with the biggest liaison between farmers and schools. And Food Connects can help me to continue to build and grow a quality program.”

“We’re a certified organic vegetable farm that now works with Monadnock Menus as both a producer and a customer. As farmers, we appreciate that they aggregate orders to customers we would not otherwise have the distribution scope to reach. Similarly, through Monadnock Menus, we can more easily and profitably stock our farm stand with local goods, keeping up with our customers favorites and introducing them to new local products as well. We’d like to see Mondanock Menus continue to grow, and continue to shift the balance to local shopping in the Monadnock region.”

“The town of Brattleboro and Fresh Picks Café strive to make delicious, local healthy food available to all our students. By purchasing local berries we are not only providing our students with nutritionally superior produce but also supporting our local community and farmers. Our students love our fruit and yogurt parfaits and introducing homemade muffins using frozen local berries has been a huge hit. Freezing berries is the easiest way to preserve the fresh taste and nutrition in local produce. For us, buying local is a win-win option and we at Fresh Picks Café are committed to buying local whenever we can!”

“Working with Food Connects allows us to reach a new customer base and to be part of the important conversations they are having regarding the local food movement, agriculture, sustainability, and nutrition. We are confident that we are becoming a household name with the families and communities Food Connects and their programs serve.”

“The apples and fruits are so healthy for you. We always have good food that is healthy for us.”

“Working with Food Connects really helps us get local food on the menu for our students. In the world of School Lunch, the rules and regulations are dense, and sometimes overwhelming. Having Food Connects there to talk about every little nuance saves time and keeps us in the kitchen. Our program is about pushing the envelope and Food Connects helps us do it. They understand the business of local food and bring our program more than just great apples. They bring us a sense of camaraderie and real community.”