Laughing Child Farm is a family-run Vermont farm that lost their large-scale buyers when colleges closed due to COVID-19. Because of the incredible way you’ve stepped up to support coronavirus hunger relief efforts, an additional 10,000 pounds of their homegrown sweet potatoes are on the way to neighbors in need.
Timothy and Brooke own and operate Laughing Child Farm, a sweet potato farm in Pawlet, Vermont, along with their four kids. “We are now the extracurricular activities,” says Timothy when he talks about having all the kids home, since schools closed in March, while running the farm. “Whereas before, this time of year everybody would be at softball, we’d be running around doing all sorts of after-school programs, but that’s not happening anymore. We’re the after-school program.”
When the coronavirus outbreak closed colleges, Laughing Child Farm lost their largest market. Timothy explains, “As soon as the colleges shut down the college market just went—our sweet potato sales just dropped right off.” As part of an effort to support Vermont farmers while increasing food distribution to meet the unprecedented surge in need, the Foodbank was able to step in and purchase some of these potatoes—an act made possible thanks to you. “The Foodbank coming in and buying an additional 10,000 pounds was helpful,” shares Timothy. “That was important.”
For the past few years, the Foodbank has contracted with Laughing Child Farm to provide nourishing, locally grown produce to people facing hunger around the state. Timothy says this contract helps in a lot of ways: Pre-planning allows the farm to save money, more product allows for higher grading standards and better quality potatoes, and for the potatoes that don’t meet the high bar for market? They get picked up and distributed statewide through the Foodbank’s gleaning program.
“The social aspect of the farm is important to us,” says Timothy. “So we’re very thankful that we can make a living, that we can pay our employees well, and that [the sweet potatoes] are accessible to all Vermonters is also important to us. It makes us feel very thankful that the Foodbank is stepping in, that the donors step in, and help with that.”
Support neighbors during this difficult time, if you can. Give help.
Are you in need of help? We’re here. Get help.
Help get food to neighbors who need it. Volunteer.
In Bennington and Rutland counties, BROC Community Action has developed programs to make it easier for neighbors to put together nourishing holiday meals. Turkey tickets, a Holiday Shop, and creative thinking are filling pantries this holiday season thanks to help from you.
Across the state, the Foodbank is sharing recipes and cooking demonstrations with visitors at fresh produce distributions. Together, we’re making sure more people in Vermont can bring home the fresh food they want and need, along with information on how to prepare and enjoy it.
Tara is a holistic nutrition consultant and a trained chef from Montpelier, who also offers postpartum support to mothers in Vermont. She’s a single mom, has her own business, and volunteers in her community serving food to unhoused neighbors. And she has faced food insecurity over the last 20 years. She has shared her experience with us to help build awareness of food insecurity.
