A record $20,328 was donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result of Seven Days’ 6th annual Vermont Restaurant Week — that’s $7,150 more than last year. This popular event was presented by the Vermont Federal Credit Union and organized by Seven Days, publisher of 7Nights, the statewide guide to Vermont’s restaurants and bars.

Vermont Restaurant Week

“We are so grateful for the generous support and partnership of Seven Days during Vermont Restaurant Week,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “Proceeds from this year’s Vermont Restaurant Week will help ensure that the 153,000 Vermonters who rely on the support of the Vermont Foodbank have access to safe and nutritious food all year long.”

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of this annual event that not only benefits the Vermont Foodbank, but supports Vermont food purveyors and many local businesses,” said Bernard P. Isabelle, president and CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union.

Many factors contributed to the total donation. All proceeds from the Sweet Start Smackdown, a dessert competition among 10 of the state’s talented pastry chefs, went to the Vermont Foodbank. Donations also came from a panel discussion at ArtsRiot; from the Clash of the Cocktails, a cocktail competition at Red Square; event raffles; and a portion of sponsorship dollars.

Plus, for the second year in a row, the Vermont Community Foundation provided a matching grant of $5,000 for the food bank. The Community Foundation was established in 1986 by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals and provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments.

Lastly, City Market, one of the festival’s sponsors, made the Vermont Foodbank their 50% recipient in the co-op’s Rally for Change program during the month of April. That program encourages customers to round-up their total at the register.

More than 100 restaurants all across the state participated in Vermont Restaurant Week this year. Each location offered special, prix-fixe meals during the event, which ran from April 24 to May 3.
This year’s sponsors included Vermont Federal Credit Union, Vermont Creamery, Switchback Brewing Co., Vermont Spirits, Woodchuck Hard Cider, City Market and the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, with media support from Jumponit and WNCS the Point.

About Seven Days

Da Capo Publishing Inc., dba Seven Days, was founded by Pamela Polston and Paula Routly in 1995. In addition to its five free publications, the company also produces two annual events: Vermont Restaurant Week and the Vermont Tech Jam, a job fair and tech expo.

In 2000, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce selected then-5-year-old Seven Days as Business of the Year. Eight years later, the Burlington Business Association did the same, citing the company’s exemplary business practices, contributions to the community, and promotion of a positive image for Burlington, as well as business success. This year, Polston and Routly were inducted into the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame.