Foodbank Farm in Full Swing

Barre—Vermont is drifting into fall—the manifestations of the change in seasons are clear: cool nights, overnight frost, and the harvest moon. For the Foodbank Farm at Two Rivers Center, the change in seasons has meant a harvest of a different kind.

The 4.5 acres of Foodbank Farm is growing onions, carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes—40,000 of produce that is being distributed to some of the 270 Network Partners that are served by the Vermont Foodbank.  The impetus for the Foodbank Farm came from changes that were happening at Two Rivers Center.  According to farm manager Stacy Burnstein, “We were at a crossroad at the end of the 2005 growing season:  Do we increase our prices to meet our budget thereby further excluding low-income families, or do we step outside the box and attempt to create a unique and more just food system that will feed all Vermonters?  Gratefully, the Foodbank shared our vision and passion to bring healthy, nutritious food to those that can benefit from it the most and the first ever Vermont Foodbank farm was born.”

In its pilot year, the Foodbank Farm at Two Rivers Center is a model for community food security. The hope is to expand this program to include farms in other regions of the state where Foodbank Network Partners are used as the medium to infuse the charitable food system with fresh, local produce.

In a recent interview on WGDR, Ed Fox, Chief Operating Officer at the Vermont Foodbank talked about the significance of the Foodbank’s partnership with Two Rivers Center.  “Our work with Two Rivers Center is visionary—we are piloting a vehicle for sustainable food access.  Through our Network Partners we are connecting thousands of low income Vermonters with fresh, local produce.”  Fox also cited the importance of community members organizing at the local level to end hunger.  “We need community gardeners and backyard gardeners to come on board.  If you have excess produce—the Foodbank can connect you to agencies in your community that need that food.  It is going to take an effort by everyone to create hunger free communities.”

If you would like to be connected to a Foodbank Network Partner in your community, please contact Joe or Jen at 802-476-3341.  

For More Information, Contact:
Judy Stermer    
jstermer@secondharvest.org
(802) 476-3341 Extension 108