In the News
April 27, 2012
Author offers tips to Community Kitchen Project grads
BURLINGTON, Vt. - A feast at the Chittenden Food Shelf in Burlington Wednesday afternoon. Community members sampled tasty treats whipped up by students of the Community Kitchen Project, a joint effort by the Food Shelf and the Vermont Foodbank.
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April 11, 2012
Marlboro Announces Outreach Partnerships
Marlboro College Graduate School announced that it has formed outreach partnerships with two of New England’s leading nonprofit organizations, the Vermont Foodbank and the New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF). Both partnerships were launched by awarding scholarships to local nonprofit leaders to earn Certificates in Nonprofit Management from the Graduate School. Marlboro will also continue to work with both organizations to provide additional community services in the future.
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March 27, 2012
John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO awarded public service award
Barre, VT—Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, awarded John Sayles, chief executive officer of the Vermont Foodbank, with the 2012 Dick Goebel Public Service Award for outstanding commitment to ending hunger in his community and across the country.
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March 5, 2012
Vermont Foodbank 2012 Hunger Conference
This year’s hunger conference, Impact Through Innovation, presented by National Life Group, will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Sheraton in Burlington Vermont.
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March 5, 2012
Northfield Savings Bank and VPT provide over 20,000 meals for Vermont Foodbank
In November and December 2011, people who contributed to Vermont Public Television’s year-end fundraiser saw their generosity help two statewide causes: VPT and the Vermont Foodbank. Northfield Savings Bank, a longtime supporter of both organizations, offered to donate three meals to the Foodbank for every contribution in any amount to VPT’s year-end campaign. The result is 22,452 meals for Vermonters to be served by the Foodbank.
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February 9, 2012
"Vermont Strong" License Plates Now For Sale
"I am Vermont Strong" license plates are now for sale. Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislation today allowing Vermonters to use the plates on the front of their cars and trucks.
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February 3, 2012
Vermont Edition
Also on the program, VPR talks to Eric Mallette, co-founder of the "I Am Vermont Strong" campaign that has sold more than 7,000 t-shirts to benefit the Vermont Food Bank. Their graphic is also being used for the new "Vermont Strong" license plates that will raise money for the Vermont Long Term Disaster Relief Fund and the Vermont Foodbank.
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February 1, 2012
Eating on the Edge: At a local food shelf, demand is up
A visitor could mistake the inside of 228 North Winooski Avenue for a small grocery, albeit one with an eclectic selection.
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J anuary 6, 2012
'Vermont Strong' plate unveiled
The "I am Vermont strong" license plate will help with Irene disaster relief. It will cost $25; $18 of that will go to the Irene fund, another $2 goes to the Vermont Foodbank and the state will keep the rest.
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January 4, 2012
Vermont Foodbank Receives Large Donation
Barre, Vermont – The Vermont Foodbank got a big notation from a local store. In December, Lenny's Shoe and Apparel held its annual charity sale.
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January 4, 2012
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel raises over $5,000 for Vermont Foodbank with 2nd annual charity sale
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel held their 2nd annual Charity Sale in December, and the store and its customers collectively raised over $5,000 for Lenny’s chosen charity partner, the Vermont Foodbank. This morning, Lenny’s owner Mark McCarthy presented that donation to Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles.
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December 22, 2011
Vermont Foodbank Reports Urgent Food Needs, Statewide
Food bank officials throughout the state say there is a dire need for donations.
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December 13, 2011
Council: Hunger increasing after Irene, poor economy
BRATTLEBORO -- Members of the Hunger Council of Windham County reported they are seeing a significant rise in hungry Vermonters during the economic downturn coupled with the aftermath from Tropical Storm Irene.
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December 8, 2011
The U.S.A. on two wheels: Waterbury Center man pedals across the nation to fight hunger
StoweToday.com - Eric Chittenden says he’s a changed man. Chittenden, a longtime Waterbury Center resident, rode his bike from Seattle to Connecticut this summer, finishing his 2,800-mile cross-country trek just as Tropical Storm Irene was bearing down on Waterbury.
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December 6, 2011
Foodbank, online community form partnerhsip
The Vermont Foodbank and FarmPlate.com, an online sustainable foods community, announced Monday a long-term strategic partnership to help promote sustainable foods and generate support for the Foodbank.
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December 4, 2011
FarmPlate.com and Vermont Foodbank announce long-term partnership
VT Digger.com - Today, the Vermont Foodbank and FarmPlate.com, a new online sustainable foods community, have announced a long-term strategic partnership to help promote sustainable foods and generate support for the Foodbank.
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December 1, 2011
People's United Community Foundation awards $76,500 to Vermont organizations
VBM - The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced today that it has awarded $76,500 to nonprofit organizations in Vermont during the 4th quarter of 2011.
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November 24, 2011
Charities ask Vermonters to donate during holidays
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Workers at the only food pantry in Vermont’s largest city started to get nervous when they had no turkeys to give away less than two weeks before Thanksgiving.
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November 22, 2011
Foodbank Sees Big Jump In Need
The Vermont Foodbank says it's distributed significantly more food this fall than last autumn.
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November 22, 2011
Thanksgiving Highlights Hunger Problem
CEO of the Vermont Foodbank, John Sayles, talks with VPR's Jane Lindholm about why far more people have relied on food shelves this fall, and why Thanksgiving is a time that highlights the problem of hunger in our region.
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November 20, 2011
You Can Quote Me
John Sayles, the president of the Vermont Foodbank, joins Kristin Carlson and Darren Perron to discuss hunger in Vermont.
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November 20, 2011
Idyll Banter: Food for Thought: 86,000 hungry Vermonters
Burlington Free Press - Once again this Thursday, a great many American families will gather together in their dining rooms and raise their glasses or say a prayer of thanks that among the plenty on the table before them is nothing made of broccoli and Jell-O.
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November 16, 2011
NewsChannel 5, Emergency Food Shelf Team Up For Annual Turkey Drive
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- With Thanksgiving just around the corner and post-Irene recovery taking place, hundreds of families in the region need your help to make this holiday a memorable one.
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November 14, 2011
Phish benefit concert: Giving plan and first grants announced
The rock band Phish through its WaterWheel Foundation announced the initial grants from their September 14 concert at the Champlain Valley Exposition via their WaterWheel Fund for Vermont Flood Recovery, housed at the Vermont Community Foundation.
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November 7, 2011
Northfield Savings Bank and VPT team up to help Vermont Foodbank
VT Digger.com - During November and December, people who give to Vermont Public Television will help two statewide causes at once. Northfield Savings Bank, a longtime supporter of both VPT and the Vermont Foodbank, will donate three meals to the Foodbank for every contribution to VPT.
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October 19, 2011
Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Foodbank team up in Barre Thursday
Barre, VT - Efficiency Vermont is providing compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and advanced power strips to the Vermont Foodbank, the state’s largest hunger relief organization at an event Thursday at the Barre Aud.
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October 5, 2011
Irene Doesn't Stop Rutland Food Drops, Hundreds Rely On Vermont Foodbank Program
RUTLAND, Vt. -- Despite the increased need and attention surrounding Tropical Storm Irene, drops of food that many Vermonters have relied on for years have continued across the state.
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October 1, 2011
A toast to Killington's open roads
Rutland, VT - The Killington area has been severely impacted by Irene. But that's not stopping the annual Brewfest.
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September 29, 2011
C&S Supports the Goals of Hunger Action Month
Brattleboro, VT - In September, to honor the goals of national Hunger Action Month, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. announced its continued commitment to alleviate hunger in communities where it operates.
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September 29, 2011
Sonnax, employees raise $20,000 for flood relief
VBM--In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, employees of Sonnax Industries of Bellows Falls, Vt. were looking for ways to help. Like many others in Vermont and New Hampshire, they had been directly affected by this tragedy or had friends and neighbors who were.
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September 29, 2011
I Am Vermont Strong
WCAX--"I am Vermont Strong." You may have seen it on a volunteer's T-shirt, Gov. Peter Shumlin, or even on Lt. Governor Phil Scott's race car.
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September 19, 2011
Meatless Mondays: Fire and Rain
Huffington Post--Twenty-two-acre Kingsbury Farm serves Warren, Vermont, a population of under 2,000. Johnson's Backyard Garden is 200 acres, but as they say, everything's bigger in Texas, including this organic farm which serves Austin, a population of roughly 800,000.
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September 16, 2011
How to share your apple harvest with hungry Vermonters
Williston, VT -- If you'd rather give than receive, Vermont apple orchards have an option for you.
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September 9, 2011
New data shows 1 in 7 Vt households hungry
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — New statistics from the federal government show that people in one in seven Vermont households go hungry.
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September 8, 2011
Hunger on the loose
St. Alban's Messenger - Hunger in Vermont affects about one in seven Vermonters, said Judy Stermer, director of communications and public affairs for the Vermont Foodbank.
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September 8, 2011
T-shirt for Irene theme catches on
The couple is donating all profits to the Vermont Foodbank to help feed victims of Irene.
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August 31, 2011
Easy way to help Irene victims
Barre, VT - The Vermont Foodbank has set up an easy way for people to donate to help Irene victims through their mobile phones.
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August 17, 2011
State, federal budget cuts threaten senior services
BRATTLEBORO -- Because of budget cuts on the state and federal level, some seniors may not get the same services they received in the past.
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August 13, 2011
Cyclists in Vt. raise money for hunger
WINDSOR, Vt. (AP) — More than 600 bicyclists are expected to ride Vermont roads to fight hunger.
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August 4, 2011
A Can of ‘Nothing’ Supports Food Banks
Nothing can end hunger. That’s what people in Rhode Island said when hunger advocates asked them to support food banks, giving the advocates an idea: Maybe nothing can end hunger.
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July 26, 2011
“Nothing” Can End Hunger in Vermont
VERMONT - The issue of hunger is pervasive. The Vermont Foodbank has heard time and time again that “nothing can end hunger in Vermont.” But the Foodbank believes hunger is not a natural part of today’s society. Forty years ago this country and Vermont had far less hunger than it does today. And so we are launching a campaign called “Do Nothing” to raise awareness that hunger can be solved.
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July 19, 2011
Biking for Bread, Coast-to-Coast to Feed the Most
An avid biker is not letting age slow him down from trekking coast-to-coast. Vermont resident Eric Chittenden, 69, is biking from Seattle to Connecticut to raise money for food banks across America.
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July 19, 2011
Vermont Foodbank launches “Nothing Can End Hunger” campaign in Vermont
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Vermont Foodbank is asking the community to “do nothing” about ending hunger through an innovative initiative that highlights the despair of having nothing to eat with the launch of the “Nothing Can End Hunger” campaign.
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July 15, 2011
Shumlin: Give states opportunity to buy local food for schools
MONTPELIER - Gov. Peter Shumlin said Thursday he wants to see federal food commodity programs retooled to allow states to buy locally grown food for their schools and other nutrition programs.
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June 6, 2011
With School Out, Need For Food Rises NEK
LYNDONVILLE -- People lined up for hours Thursday to receive about 8,000 pounds of food being distributed in a joint effort of the Lyndon Area Food Shelf and Faith In Action NEK Communities Partnership.
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April 13, 2011
Volunteers, community involvement are keys
BENNINGTON - Volunteers have been instrumental in creating The Kitchen Cupboard food distribution center, and both running the center and plenty of upcoming events will allow even more people to get involved.
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March 25, 2011
Nutritious foods still out of reach for many Vermont families
Editor’s note: This op-ed was written by John Sayles, chief executive officer of the Vermont Foodbank in Barre, and Marissi Parisi, executive director of Hunger Free Vermont in South Burlington.
A recently introduced resolution in the Vermont House has many of us in the anti-hunger community concerned about people’s understanding of the effectiveness and importance the 3SquaresVT program (nationally called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and formerly Food Stamps).
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December 3, 2010
Welch explains votes on taxes, nutrition
WASHINGTON - Rep. Peter Welch took a stand against tax cuts for the wealthy Thursday, with votes for a tax policy favoring the middle class and against a child nutrition bill that could shortchange a food stamp program.
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Novermber 17, 2010
Hungry to End Hunger
BRATTLEBORO - A blossoming partnership between the Vermont Foodbank and Project Feed the Thousands has help more than 12,000 Windham County residents avoid going to bed hungry every year.
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November 17, 2010
VT. ranks #1 in hunger increase
New numbers show that Vermont now ranks among the top hungriest states in the country. The USDA just released its annual report which shows that 1 in 7 Vermont households don't have enough to eat.
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November 15, 2010
More than 80,000 Vermonters Deemed "Food Insecure"
According to federal statistics more than 13 percent of Vermont households are classified as "food insecure." Speaking on Vermont Edition, John Sayles, executive director of the Vermont Food Shelf, told VPR's Jane Lindholm that the designation refers to people who may be skipping meals and relying on food banks and food stamps to get by.
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October 26, 2010
VT Foodbank Sends 200,000 People a Letter
One dollar can go a far way. Communications director Judy Stermer says that's the message the Vermont Foodbank has sent to 200,000 people.
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October 26, 2010
Trash to power
BRATTLEBORO - Carbon Harvest Energy began generating electricity from the company's state-of-the-art Brattleboro landfill-to-grid system during a Monday ceremony with U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, ushering in a new source of renewable energy in southern Vermont.
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October 25, 2010
Renewable Energy Revitalized By New Project
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. - A local business kicked off a project Monday that it thinks could revolutionize renewable energy while helping to feed those in need.
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October 7, 2010
Food for thought: Oak Grove School selected for program
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Foodbank has expanded its BackPack Program to Brattleboro's Oak Grove School to provide nutritious foods to students.
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October 6, 2010
Banking on Fresh
Warren - Wednesdays this summer and fall have been like Christmas at the Kingsbury Market Garden in Warren.
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October 5, 2010
Vermont charities say Census economic estimates ring true
Burlington - Crowds visiting food shelves, demands for government assistance and the difficulty some people have finding enough work to get by are all reflecting new U.S. Census estimates that many Vermont families are sliding backward financially.
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July 11, 2010
Produce for the People
WARREN - If you want a fast and effective - organic, too - way to kill weeds, try torching them with a propane flame. Timing is everything when you flame-weed. You have to keep a close eye on your crops to torch the weeds just before things pop up.
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June 3, 2010
Celtic Concert at BCA to benefit Vermont Foodbank
BENNINGTON - "Never has an American-born fan of Irish music felt like hi's right there in the pubs of Dublin or Galway." This quote was recently heard after a concert performed by O'hAnleigh, a duo of Irish descent.
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May 28, 2010
NECI aims to host Great Vermont Community Picnic
MONTPELIER - NECI is attempting to organize the Great Vermont Community Picnic - a summer food-fest that would take place at arguably Vermont's prime picnic spot: the Statehouse lawn.
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May 27, 2010
Family Fun Day a Huge Success
BARRE TOWN - Mother Nature delivered for Revell Allen's students at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School on Saturday, but fortunately Allen's daughter - Fairfax resident Lori Miller - didn't.
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