There has been some misinformation about the Vermont Foodbank farm in
<MI>The Valley Reporter<D> recently in an opinion article
by Tim Seniff, and I have also heard rumors on the street about the
unfair advantage that these farmers have. Here is a little info to
clarify the arrangement between Aaron, Suzanne and the Vermont Foodbank:
The farm is owned by the Vermont Foodbank and most of the vegetables
produced at the farm will go to the Vermont Foodbank in lieu of a lease
payment for the land. With this arrangement, the Vermont Foodbank has a
team of excellent, highly skilled farmers without the costs associated
with bringing them on as Vermont Foodbank employees. In return, the
Vermont Foodbank will get tens of thousands of pounds of nutrient-dense
winter vegetables that will assure the most vulnerable people in our
state are getting healthy local food year round and not just in the
summer.
The only money that Aaron and Suzanne will earn from the farm will come
from the farm store and sales of their produce to wholesale accounts
including restaurants and stores so it is important that we in the
community support the farm. The arrangement is not unusual; it is
modeled after a Vermont Foodbank farm in Massachusetts. Aaron and
Suzanne owned a farm for seven years in central New York. They are very
good at what they do.
But, please don't take my word for it. I encourage you to see for
yourself what is going on at the farm and to meet Aaron and Suzanne. On
July 7 at 7 p.m., there will be a free twilight walk through the fields
where Aaron will describe their operation and answer any questions that
you may have about the farm or about growing vegetables.
Thanks for supporting local agriculture.
Robin McDermott
Cofounder Mad River Valley Localvore Project
Waitsfield
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