Vermont Federal Credit Union has a long history with local businesses and organizations, including being the founding presenter of Vermont Restaurant Week.  VRW is in its fourth year, benefits the Vermont Foodbank, and runs from April 26-May 5.  We asked Bernie Isabelle, President and CEO of Vermont Federal, a few questions about the credit union commitment to Vermont businesses and communities, as well as which VRW events he’s looking forward to!

Tell us a little bit about Vermont Federal Credit Union. Vermont Federal is a local, not-for-profit financial institution. Our focus is on our members and the communities we serve. We’re proud to say we’re not just an organization located in Vermont, but an organization participating in, and building on, all that Vermont has to offer. You’ll see me and other Credit Union employees out during Vermont Restaurant Week getting involved in the events and really enjoying ourselves.

How long have you been a sponsor of Vermont Restaurant Week? Vermont Federal has been the presenting sponsor of Vermont Restaurant Week since its start four years ago.

What motivated you to get involved with the event? When Seven Days approached us about being the presenting sponsor of Vermont Restaurant Week, we knew it was something we wanted to support. Vermont Restaurant Week not only benefits the Vermont Foodbank, it supports Vermont food purveyors and many local businesses, which is something we’re really proud to be a part of. While Vermont Restaurant Week is a fun event that gets community members out and enjoying local cuisine, it’s also a great boost for the local economy. Those are two things we’re really proud to have the Vermont Federal name connected to.

What other kinds of events and organizations does Vermont Federal Credit Union sponsor?  Is there a Vermont focus? The Credit Union is involved with many great organizations, all of which are located in Vermont. We make sure the money stays here in Vermont. We are actively involved in supporting many different charities, community events, youth and collegiate sports, and higher education aspirations. We support the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf through our annual Feed Your Neighbor Campaign, the King Street Center through sponsorship and volunteering at the Bob Aldrich Memorial Golf Invitational, and the Intervale Center through support of their Summervale Thursday night concert series, to name a few.

Why would Vermonters choose a credit union? And how do Vermonters become members? Vermonters should choose to be a part of a credit union because we’re local, not-for-profit, community focused, and owned by our members. Because we’re local, money deposited into the Credit Union stays here in Vermont. It’s then used to support the loans needed by Credit Union members, local charities, and community events like Vermont Restaurant Week. You should join Vermont Federal because it helps make Vermont Restaurant Week, and other community events, possible. You can help build a stronger community by becoming a member. Visit www.vermontfederal.org for more information.

What Restaurant Week events are you looking forward to? While I enjoy all of the events Vermont Restaurant Week has to offer, I’m definitely looking forward to visiting Vermont restaurants during the week. I love getting out and talking to business owners, seeing everyone else out enjoying their meals and supporting local businesses and the Vermont Foodbank. I also enjoy watching our staff participate in the many events. Year after year I look forward to Vermont Restaurant Week.

Thanks, Bernie!  We deeply appreciate Vermont Federal’s commitment to Vermont communities, as well as to Vermont Restaurant Week.

For more information on Vermont Federal Credit Union, visit them online or on Facebook.

For more info on Vermont Restaurant Week, you can visit them online or on Facebook too!